The recent report "Investing Across Borders 2010" released by the World Bank provides for the first time objective data on the regulations that govern foreign investment and compares them across 87 countries. According to this report, transparent and efficient laws and regulations are essential to ensure the best outcomes for countries that receive investment, for their people, as well as for investors.

Relative to countries in the Middle East and North Africa the report indicates that they are fairly restrictive on foreign equity ownership with the exception of Tunisia where there are no restrictions.

Investing Across Borders 2010 aims to help countries develop a more attractive business environment by identifying good practices from elsewhere in the design and implementation of investment policies. The report provides indicators measuring how foreign companies invest across sectors, start a foreign businesses locally, access industrial land, and arbitrate commercial disputes across 87 countries.