News

Investment flows plunged globally by 35% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis. The fall was heavily skewed towards developed economies.

COVID-19 recovery investment plans largely focus on infrastructure sectors that are key to building productive capacities.

The value of sustainability-themed investment products amounted to $3.2 trillion in 2020, up more than 80% from 2019.

The continent's commodity-dependent countries have been affected more severely than non-resource-based economies.

Prospects for 2021 are positive, with expected growth of up to 20%, mainly due to strong cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

Foreign direct investment remains stable in least developed countries, but contracts severely in landlocked developing nations and small island developing states.

Despite recovery efforts, a return to pre-pandemic levels of inward foreign direct investment is unlikely in the coming years.

Developing Asia is the only region that recorded growth in foreign investment in 2020, accounting for more than half of global inward and outward flows.

The region suffered the sharpest decline in foreign investment flows to developing countries in 2020.

New UNCTAD report outlines how governments and other stakeholders can ensure foreign investment by multinationals translates into real benefits for women.