- Europe: Ernst & Young Consultants have revealed in a study published in the daily newspaper, Le Monde, that in 2002 Europe experienced a fall of 4% din the number of international companies setting up on its territory, 79 projects less than in 2001. US companies particularly had cold feet, reducing their investment by 15.6%. The United Kingdom and France, despite their own falls of 5% remain the European counties that attracted most foreign investment in 2002, with both subsidiaries and multinationals choosing to set up in their countries. Hence out of 1,895 foreign business start-ups 2002, the United Kingdom accounted for 369 new sites (corresponding to 19.5% of the market) as opposed to 253 in France (13.4% of market share). Germany (154 sites; 8.1%) and Spain (122 sites; 6.4%), which fell from 10.5% and 15% respectively, follow in third and fourth places now closely followed by countries in central Europe coming into force . the numbers of foreign businesses setting up did in fact increase in 2002, by 18% in Hungary (100 new companies; 5.3% market share), by 10% in the Czech Republic (98 sites; 5.2%), 22% in Poland (60 sites; 3.2%), 12% in Russia (85 sites; 4.5%). Romania has also made a significant breakthrough with 27.5% more foreign businesses setting up there than in the previous year (51 sites; 2.7%), and is now on a par with Ireland which saw its share fall by 16%. Italy did very badly, experiencing a fall of 44% in foreign businesses setting up and now only counts for 1.5% of the market (29 companies). Ernst & Young interviewed 200 international leaders, and still noted that 44% of these economic decision-makers are targeting countries in central Europe for setting up future production units. This region is in fact attractive as it is geographically close to the European markets and skilled labour costs are three times lower.