Fall in global foreign direct investment in 2008. - Global foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows are estimated to have fallen by 21% in 2008 to an estimated $1.4 trillion, and will likely fall further in 2009, according to new estimates released today by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development). In the face of a global economic recession, many companies have announced plans to curtail production, lay off workers, and cut capital expenditures, all of which tend to reduce...