Brussels, 22/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU's foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks worldwide increased by 50% between 2008 and 2011, amounting to €5,000 billion by end 2011.
According to the latest Eurostat figures, not only stocks held by the EU27 but also those held by the rest of the world rose steadily between 2008 and 2011, increasing by about 50%, while EU27 stocks held in another member state rose by around 20% over the same period. At the end of 2011, EU FDI stocks in the rest of the world amounted to €4,983 billion, while FDI stocks held by the rest of the world in the EU amounted to €3,807 billion. Although the EU is, therefore, a net investor in the rest of the world, its FDI stocks outside EU borders only account for 40% of total EU FDI stocks, with 60% investment in EU member states.
The United States (€1,421 billion, i.e. 29% of the total stocks held by the EU in the rest of the world) and Switzerland (€598 billion, 12%) remain the main destinations for European investment. Then come Brazil (€239 billion, 5%), Canada (€222 billion, 4%), Russia (€167 billion, 3%), Australia (€125 billion, 3%), Hong Kong (€124 billion, 2%), and Singapore (€123 billion, 2%). China (€102 billion, 2%) is in 9th position for European investment worldwide. Japan (€85.8 billion) ranks 11th, behind Norway (€94.9 billion).
The United States (€1 344 billion, i.e. 35% of total stocks held by the rest of the world in the EU) and Switzerland (€467 billion, 12%) are also the main investors of FDI stocks held by the rest of the world in the EU. After these come Japan (€144 billion, 4%), Canada (€138 billion, 4%), Brazil (€78 billion, 2%), Norway (€75 billion, 2%), Singapore (€67 billion, 2%), Hong Kong (€64 billion, 2%), Russia (€53 billion, 1%), and the Arabian Gulf countries (€47 billion). (EH/transl.jl)