- China: Foreign direct investment (FDI) dropped 2.7% in China in first quarter 2000 from the same period last year, totalling USD 7.14 billion, announced the Ministry for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. Contracts for future investments nevertheless rose 27.5% over the year, to USD 11.08 billion. - Saudi Arabia: To attract more foreign capital, King Fahd has published a decree announcing the possibility for foreign investors to own up to 100% of industrial firms; until now they have been limited to a 49% stake. The decree also dispenses them from the obligation of working with a Saudi partner and offers tax relieft, for a limited period, for newly created enterprises, until the time they become profitable.