What is the MAI?
The MAI is the first attempt to combine in an international agreement multilateral disciplines on the three corner-stone areas of FDI rule-making, namely investment protection, investment liberalisation and dispute settlement. Its objective is to provide a “level playing field” for international investors, with uniform rules on both market access and legal security. It aims at eliminating distortions to investment flows and facilitating a more efficient allocation of economic resources. The MAI is conceived as a free-standing international treaty open to all OECD Members and the European Communities, and to accession by non-Member countries willing and able to meet its obligations. Negotiations were launched by the OECD Member countries at the May 1995 Ministerial Meeting.
