According to the latest estimates published by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), global foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows are estimated to have risen by 6% to USD 612 billion, from USD 580 bn in 2003. As in 2003, flows to developed countries slumped, but that decline was offset by rising flows to developing countries and central and Eastern Europe. Not only did this put an end to the global fdi downturn that had begun in 2001, it also meant that investment...