Media Alert

UNCTAD Global Investment Trends Monitor inaugural issue

Geneva, 30 November 2009 - The Monitor -- a new quarterly publication whose first issue will be released 1 December -- reports that global flows in foreign direct investment (FDI) rebounded during the second quarter of 2009. In the G20 economies, there was a 38% increase in such investment over the first quarter of 2009. As compared to the first quarter, UNCTAD's Global FDI Quarterly Index rose from 70 to 115.

However, FDI flows remained much lower than during the corresponding period in 2008 -- the FDI quarterly index for the second quarter of 2009 was 45 points lower than it was a year ago. And initial indicators for the third quarter of 2009 show no signs of a further pickup.

Global FDI for 2009 as a whole is likely to be significantly lower than in 2008, despite the gradual improvement in the world business outlook, the Monitor estimates.

For further information or to request interviews with UNCTAD experts, please do not hesitate to contact the UNCTAD Press Office (+41 22 917 5828/5549/5725/4815, unctadpress@...) or James Zhan, Director, Investment and Enterprise Division (+41 22 917 5797, james.zhan@...) and/or Mr. Masataka Fujita, Officer-in-Charge, Investment Analysis Branch, (+41 22 917 6217, masataka.fujita@...)