Foreign direct investment flows in the world increased by 18% in 2000 on the previous year, amounting to $1.3 trillion, announced Unctad (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development). The latter stipulates that these flows have increased yearly since 1991. Among the three economic groups (developed countries, developing countries and the Central and Eastern Europe countries (Ceecs)), the developed countries saw the steepest rise, amounting to over $1 trillion, or an increase of 12%. This rise was due to the multiplication of merger and takeover operations. Developing countries and the Ceecs also saw an increase in their flows, 8% and 9%, corresponding to $240 bn and $25 bn. Flows in the direction of developing countries were mainly targeted at Asian countries, especially Hong Kong and China, whereas flows to Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean fell. Concerning the South American countries, the slowdown was particularly felt in Argentina and Chile, which benefited from three large operations in 1999, situation that was not repeated last year. Brazil, with flows of $34 bn, was the largest recipient in the region.