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GLOBAL FDI


As per the Global Investment Trends Monitor (UNCTAD, February 1, 2017), the FDI flows in the year 2016 have weakened with wide regional variations:

Global FDI flows fell 13 per cent in 2016, reaching an estimated US$1.52 trillion, as global growth and trade global remained weak. This decline was not equally shared across regions, reflecting the heterogeneous impact of the current economic environment on countries worldwide.

A dip was there in FDI flows to developed economies (- 9 per cent to an estimated US$872 billion). FDI flows to Europe fell 29 per cent to an estimated US$385 billion, with a number of countries experiencing strong volatility in their inflows. This decline was tempered by modest growth in flows to North America (6 per cent) and a sizeable increase

in investment in other developed economies, principally Australia and Japan.

Flows to India fell by 5 per cent to an estimated US$42 billion, but nevertheless ranked among the top ten largest FDI recipients.

FDI flows to China remained robust rising by 2.3 per cent to a new record of about US$139 billion.

FDI to Pakistan also rose significantly (82 per cent to an estimated US$1.6 billion) as a result of rising Chinese investment in infrastructure.

There was a rebound in flows to the Republic of Korea, at US$9.4 billion, up from their relatively low level of US$4 billion in 2015.