Foreign Direct Investment at a Glance – UNCTAD World Investment Report 2017

The most important developments and aspects of foreign direct investment observed worldwide are presented annually in the World Investment Report published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The latest World Investment Report (WIR) focuses on foreign direct investment linked to the process of digitalisation. This article summarises the key results of the latest WIR: last year global foreign direct investment flows fell by around 2%, while international investments in structurally weak economies remained volatile and at a low level. These economic developments are worrying, especially in view of the investments required worldwide in relation to sustainable development targets, which were approved in UNCTAD's action plan. Progress in sustainable developments requires more international investment in Infrastructure, energy, water and wastewater disposal, climate protection, health and education, as well as investments in production capacities to create jobs and growth in income. The WIR 2017 clearly states that policy measures are urgently required to promote cross-border investments.