- Russia: According to Russia's Economy Minister, foreign direct investment (FDI) totalled USD 4.3 billion last year, a sharp rise over 1998, when the financial crisis caused foreigners to leave the country. The result must not mask the fact that "the total volume of foreign investment remains very moderate for a country as tremendous as Russia" pointed out Vladimir Kossov, Deputy Economy Minister. Since the collapse of communism, total foreign investment stock is around 100 dollars per inhabitant, a derisory sum compared to other nearby countries such as Estonia, where liberal reforms have pushed investment to 1,600 dollars per inhabitant. Moscow hopes FDI will reach USD 5 billion this year and if the political and economic situation does not deteriorate, 6 billion in 2001. The lack of foreign interest in Russia is also reflected in privatisation earnings, which totalled only USD 348 million, well below the 600 million expected.