Brussels, 18/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - In 2005, foreign direct investment (FDI) in countries outside the EU25 rose by 19% in comparison with 2004, from €129 billion to €153 billion: the United Kingdom led the way (37% of the total), followed by France (12%) and Luxemburg (10%). In 2005, the EU invested €26 billion in the United States and €9 billion in Canada (7 and 2 respectively in 2004) and the United States and Canada invested €18 billion and € 7 billion respectively in the EU (15 and 3 in 2004). FDIs towards the EU from the rest of the world rose by 23%, from €57 to €70 billion, with the United Kingdom as the main destination (24%), followed by Luxemburg (20%) and France (19%). Poland, with inflows exceeding outflows by €I billion, was the largest net recipient of FDIs from third countries.
According to early Eurostat findings, intra-EU25 FDI flows increased by about 80%: the Netherlands was the main investor (€87 billion), followed by France (€61 billion) and Luxemburg (€49 billion), while the main beneficiaries from investment from other Member States were the United Kingdom (€115 billion), Luxemburg (€43 billion) and the Netherlands (€30 billion). In Ireland, disinvestment of €20 million was recorded.