FDI flows to Tunisia almost doubled last year, up to $821 million from $486 million in 2001 and representing the highest inflows since 1998. Ethiopia similarly tripled its flows to $75 million, following a decline in 2001. Flows to Kenya, by contrast, stagnated at $50 million. Mauritius reported a 12% downturn, to $28 million, while flows to the Republic of Tanzania also dropped -- by 27%, part of a series of declines since 1999, when the government began disposing of most of its assets.
Three of five Asian economies surveyed recently by UNCTAD registered increasing FDI flows last year. Macau, China, saw a 13% rise in inflows, from $133 million in 2001 to $150 million last year. Macau´s FDI stock increased marginally between 1995 and 2002 and was dominated by investors from Hong Kong and mainland China. FDI flows into both Mongolia and Kazakhstan have maintained their upward trend: in Mongolia, they were up 81% last year, to $78 million, and FDI stock has grown more than fourfold since 1996. In Kazakhstan, meanwhile, the upturn has held every year since 1994, with the exception of 1998, 2000 and 2002. Flows climbed 166% between 1995 and 2002, from $964 million to $2.561 million.
Flows to Myanmar have continued to decline since 1998, primarily because of the impact of the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis. In Fiji as well, they were down 42% last year (to $56 million, as compared to $96 million in 2001). This was due to the global downturn and to a 40% slump in reinvested earnings. The country´s inward FDI stock, by contrast, grew by 45%.
National investment profiles are being published online as they become available, based on each country´s reporting schedules. The profiles, which are part of UNCTAD´s World Investment Directory, provide quick electronic access to the latest statistics on foreign direct investment (FDI) and the operations of transnational corporations (TNCs). They include statistical definitions and sources, a listing of relevant national laws and regulations, information on bilateral and multilateral agreements and a bibliography.
