13/04/06

Welcome to new Investment Promotion Agencies from Cayman Islands, Macedonia and Spain

We are pleased to announce that the Cayman Islands Investment Bureau, the Agency for Foreign Investments (MacInvest) and Promo Madrid have become new members of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies. The Association covers now 148 countries worldwide with 192 agencies.

http://www.waipa.org

World Investment Report 2006 to focus on FDI from the South

Recent mergers and acquisitions, such as Lenovo-IBM and Nanjing Automotive-Rover, or the proposed deals between Dubai Port World-P&O and Mittal Steel-Arcelor, illustrate the latest globalization trend -- the rise of FDI from the South. These deals are part of a broader pattern in which firms from developing countries and economies in transition expand abroad to seize business opportunities, and are receiving increased attention.

FDI statistics tell a similar story. In 1995, total stock of outward FDI from developing countries amounted to less than $230 million; in 2004, it had surpassed $1 billion.

What is behind this rapid increase? Who are the main actors involved? What does it mean for development? And is it likely to gain further momentum? These and other questions are addressed in the World Investment Report 2006, which will be launched in October 2006.

As part of UNCTAD's research, we are surveying the activities of investment promotion agencies (IPAs). The survey will seek to answer questions like to what extent are IPAs today targeting FDI from the South?, what geographical sources are targeted?, and what kind of tools do the IPAs use. The collaboration of all WAIPA members is greatly appreciated, and the results will be revealed not only in the World Investment Report, but also in a special UNCTAD Investment Brief later in the year.

US Businessmen to Invest in Bié Province in Angola

The Ambassador of Angola to the U.S.A, Josefina Pitra Diakité said in Kuito city, south Bié province, which US businessmen will soon invest in social projects in the region. The Angolan diplomat made this declaration at the end of her visit to Bié, accompanied by US businessmen with the aim of learning of diamond prospecting, purchase and sale, as well as identifying areas open to investment. Americans` investment will mainly lie in the sectors of geology and mines (diamond prospecting), agriculture, health, education, trade and industry. The businessmen are ready to participate in the reconstruction of Bié province viewing to improve the population’s living conditions. Provincial Governor José Amaro Taty praised the initiative of US businessmen in investing in the region, considering that the actions to be implemented will contribute for the province’s socio-economic development. During their stay in Kuito city, the delegation met separately with Governor José Amaro Taty and with heads of companies specialized in diamond prospecting, purchase and sale, namely Ascorp, Lázaro Kompla International, Sodiam and Longissantos.

For more information about investing in Angola, please contact: newsletter@inangolamagazine.com

Kuwaiti Investments in Jordan surpass $4 billion

The secretary of Grand Amman said that Kuwait investments in Jordan were the biggest compared to Arab and Western countries. He said Kuwaiti investments exceeded $4 billion, used in many important national economy sectors. He said that Jordan is always welcoming the foreign investments, namely from Kuwait, and was providing guarantees and incentives for the foreign investors. He noted that Kuwaiti investments would provide more jobs for the Jordanian population. (Sources Menafn)

For more information, please see: www.animaweb.org

First Arab Business Intelligence Report revealed in Davos

Moutamarat and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) presented the results of the first Arab Business Intelligence Business Report (ABIR) at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, revealing a mood of extraordinary optimism among regional business leaders.

The results of the first ABIR, a major independent study on the perceptions and opinions of senior executives from across 14 countries of the Arab world, highlighted the exceptional confidence among the business leaders of the region. No less than 83% of respondents said that conditions will continue to improve over the next year, and a score of 75.5 out of a maximum 100. Overall, the Arab world reported an average that is 35% higher than the US scores in the Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence, using a similar methodology. (Sources BIME)

For more information, please see: www.animaweb.or

IBM-PLI's latest Global Investment Alert

This Alert presents the latest worldwide corporate location trends up until mid 2005 and as such is the most up to date indication of investment flows around the world at this time.

Some key findings in the report are: • An increase in global investment (as observed in 2004) is not evident in the first half of 2005. A slight decrease can even be observed. • China and India are attracting most foreign investment, but China is not continuing its strong performance of 2004. • USA remains a strong contender for investment, but is losing share in foreign investment; Europe also shows a decrease of inward investment • Many low cost regions (such as for example Vietnam and Thailand) have become very acceptable and sometimes even good quality business environments for companies exploring options around the world • Global competition for investment is a reality: Multinational companies have more and more options to seek talent pools anywhere in the world (global resourcing); Developed and developing economies compete more and more for the same projects • Offshore destinations in turn begin exporting jobs: India already is in the top list of countries of origin for foreign investment and various other emerging markets are becoming key targets for inward investment into developed countries.