Foreign direct investment (fdi) is expected to increase over the next three years despite concerns about global financial instability and protectionism in some countries, according to the new UNCTAC World Investment Prospects Survey 2007-2009, based on 192 respondents among the largest multinational companies in the world. More than two-thirds of them are planning to increase their fdi spending in the three years 2007, 2008 and 2009 in all sectors. Interest in the emerging economies of Asia and Europe is expected to grow, particularly South-East Asia, with China and India viewed as particularly attractive, along with Vietnam, currently in sixth place but seen as a rising star. North America and Western Europe remain the top locations for fdi, with the United States classified as the third most favoured destination in the world. Two countries in Western Europe, the United Kingdom and Germany, are also in the top 10 destinations, closely followed by France. In Eastern Europe, Poland is doing very well, coming 10th in the world, and in South-East Europe, Russia is mentioned as attractive by 20% of companies. In Latin America, Brazil and Mexico are among the most attractive countries. Western Asia and Africa attract little investment interest, despite interest in some countries on the Mediterranean (North Africa and Turkey). (I.L.)