- Russia: Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Russia rose 42.2% in the first quarter of 2000, totalling USD 853 million, against 600 million a year earlier, according to reports by the State Statistics Committee. - Japan: Direct investments by foreign groups in Japan reached a record level in fiscal 1999-2000, which ended in March, reported the Finance Ministry. This performance was the result of important alliances concluded with Japanese firms. Compared to last year, FDI boomed 79% to a total of JPY 2,400 billion. Europe showed the greatest interest with 58.9% of investments and EUR 1.4 billion, i.e. four times last year's level, the alliance between RENAULT and NISSAN constituting one of the major operations between the two partners. In contrast, the United States was less enthusiastic, with only JPY 248.7 billion invested, against 807.8 billion the previous year, representing only 10.4% of total investment. The telecommunications sector was the most active, in the wake of the internet wave sweeping the country. Japanese companies also boosted foreign direct investments, which totalled JPY 7,439 billion, i.e. 2.5 times higher than the preceding year.