- France: according to statistics unveiled this week by the Bank of France and the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, direct foreign investment in France reached EUR 49.8 bn last year, a 15.3% fall compared top the EUR 58.8 bn registered in 2001. Out of this total, less than half (22 bn) comes from the EU. Simultaneously, direct investment made outside France by French companies declined by more than 26%, reaching a figure of EUR 67.8 bn (compared to EUR 92.6 bn the year before). These results are, nevertheless, around the high average mark of the last ten yeas and should allow France to maintain its fifth place in the world for receiving foreign investment, as well as its second place in Europe, behind the United Kingdom. - Russia: According to the State Committee for Statistics, direct foreign investment in Russia increased by only 0.6% in Russia last year, despite an improvement in the economic and judicial environment. The country only managed to attract USD 4.002 bn last year, barely more than the USD 3.980 bn registered in 2001, year which began with a fall in investment of 10.1% compared to 2000. - China: the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Trade announced that direct foreign investment in the country jumped by 48% to USD 3.59 bn in January compared to January 2002. Although this result is lower than in December (USA 4.7 bn), which led to an overall 2002 amount of USD 52.7, it is not the general trend, and is proof of the foreign presence in China, which has been encouraged by the opening up of the borders, imposed by China's accession to the WTO.