- Italy/Canada: last year flows of direct invest abroad (DIA) in Italy increased by 2%, following the upward trend begun in 1998 and contrary to the general downward trend by all other developed countries, according to a study by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development). Italian investments abroad increased six-fold between 1990 and 2001. The Netherlands and Switzerland. In Canada, both in and out-coming DIA flows fell by 20% last year but the rate is still higher than the average recorded between 1997 and 1999. Although 90% of DIA inward flows to Canada are from the USA, Canadian investments are more varied, although 62% go to the USA.