According to initial estimates by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), global foreign direct investment (FDI) rose 25% in 1999, totalling USD 827 billion, as against 660 billion in 1998. These figures have been constantly on the rise for the past decade, the 1998 figure showing a 41% rise over the previous year (USD 468 billion in 1997). The increases are essentially due to international mergers and acquisitions, especially in the developing countries, explains...