UN World Investment Report 2010 - Office of Trade Negotiations

I
GLOBAL
TRENDS IN FDI
CHAPTER I
Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows began to bottom out in the latter half of 2009. This
was followed by a modest recovery in the first half of 2010, sparking some cautious optimism
for FDI prospects in the short term. In the longer term, the recovery in FDI flows is set to gather
momentum. Global inflows are expected to pick up to over $1.2 trillion in 2010, rise further to
$1.3–1.5 trillion in 2011, and head towards $1.6–2 trillion in 2012. These FDI prospects are,
however, fraught with risks and uncertainties, including the fragility of the global economic
recovery.
Some major changes in global FDI trends will most likely gain momentum in the short and
medium term:
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Developing and transition economies absorbed half of global FDI flows in 2009 and
their relative weight as both FDI destinations and sources is expected to increase
further, as they are leading the FDI recovery.
Services and the primary sector continue to capture an increasing share of FDI.
FDI stock and assets continued to increase despite the toll taken by the crisis on
TNCs’ sales and value added.