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Image: Michael Sheehan/dpa/picture allianceImage: Michael Sheehan/dpa/picture alliance

Foreign direct investment

FDI is when an investor residing in one country takes a direct stake in an enterprise or project in another. It can take several forms, including M&As, investment of funds, or the construction of new facilities.

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All Content on this topic

A generic view of the Mumbai cityscape

Is the Indian economy faltering?

High inflation, stock market sell-offs and slowing FDI paint a complex picture for one of the fastest-growing economies.
BusinessNovember 22, 202402:00 min
Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, receives the presidential sash during an inauguration ceremony

Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum faces economic challenges

How will the country's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, navigate the troubled waters of "America First" policies?
BusinessOctober 1, 2024
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands with heads of state and government of African countries, as well as the heads of the EU, for a photo at the "Compact with Africa" in Berlin, Monday Nov. 20, 2023

What does the West invest in Africa?

Despite its dwindling influence the West still invests in Africa. Others are catching up. Can Africa win this race?
BusinessJuly 5, 2024
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, wearing a saffron cap, greets supporters from an open vehicle

India's Narendra Modi focuses on economy in election push

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking to extend his decade-long premiership, sounds bullish on India's economy.
BusinessApril 19, 2024
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (center) on stage at the German-Nigerian Business Forum 2023 in Berlin

German-Nigerian Business Forum seeks to woo investors

The summit sent a clear message: Africa's most populous nation is open for business.
BusinessNovember 22, 2023
ACC employees at work at the giga-factory under construction in northern France

Why France is Europe's foreign direct investment champion

For the fourth year in a row, France is has pulled in more foreign direct investment than any other country in Europe.
BusinessJuly 13, 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of China's ruling Communist Party in Beijing, China, on Oct. 16, 2022.

Will the EU move to curb Chinese investments?

The EU wants to reduce dependence on incoming Chinese investment. Can it and should it?
BusinessOctober 25, 2022
Guben's mayor, Fred Mahro

Why investors take a shine to eastern Germany

Foreign and domestic companies are increasingly looking to eastern Germany when seeking sound investment opportunities.
BusinessJuly 14, 2022
Construction of an ultramodern bridge by a Chinese company at Kurasini

France joins China in infrastructure projects

Paris and Beijing have agreed to build infrastructure, but will they shine light on China's foreign investments?
BusinessFebruary 24, 2022
Stau auf der A4

Polish firms going beyond Poland

Polish firms are busy challenging stereotypes by acquiring foreign companies. 
BusinessJuly 26, 2021
A general view of a garment factory at the Hawassa Industrial Park in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia

Asia defies pandemic, sees rise in foreign investment

The region was an exception in a year that saw global investment flows crash, hurting Africa's industrialization bid.
BusinessJune 21, 2021
This photo taken on August 14, 2019 shows an employee working on a medical glove production line at a factory in Huaibei in China's eastern Anhui province

Global FDI could fall by up to 50% in next two years

The economic fallouts of the coronavirus are forcing companies to tighten the purse strings, a UN report says.
BusinessJune 16, 2020
A container ship at sea

UN: Foreign direct investments to plummet 40%

FDI is set to drop below $1 trillion for the first time since 2005.
BusinessJune 16, 2020
A pile of coins on a scale

Will German coronavirus response impress investors?

The country’s impressive handling could grab the attention of investors looking to make "pandemic-proof" investments.
BusinessMay 7, 2020
Deutschland Demonstration gegen das Zulassen von Auslieferungen von Hongkong nach China in Berlin

Hong Kong investors face uncertainty

A controversial extradition bill has been shelved, but fears over potential Chinese interference is troubling Hong Kong.
BusinessJune 21, 2019
Irland, Dublin: 'Getting Ireland Brexit Ready' Workshop

Report shows Brexit effect on Irish economy

On the day the UK was due to leave the EU, several scenarios remain live. A new report shows all are bad for Ireland.
BusinessMarch 29, 2019
A netizen browses the Chinese website of Kuka in Ji'nan city, east China's Shandong province, 19 May 2016.

Will Chinese investments in the EU keep plummeting?

Chinese investors spent 40 percent less on acquisitions in the European Union last year, a new report shows.
BusinessMarch 6, 2019
Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi investors to return soon

A Saudi business conference in Riyadh was overshadowed by the death of Jamal Khashoggi.
BusinessOctober 23, 2018
external

Tariffs and tweets aside, European businesses are ready to invest in US

New policies, booming economy make the US attractive for overseas firms.
BusinessOctober 19, 201801:10 min
Putzmeister technology

Berlin checking foreign bids for companies

Germany and the US are starting to resist Chinese takeovers of their companies
BusinessAugust 9, 201801:48 min
BMW plant in Spartanburg

Foreign investment in US down sharply

Despite the US president's efforts to attract financial resources from abroad, foreign investment has declined.
BusinessJuly 12, 2018
UN Hauptquartier in New York

Global investment slows

Global foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by almost a quarter last year, as returns for investors declined substantial
BusinessJune 6, 2018
Brasilien Proteste

Believing in Brazil

Nepotism, corruption, economic crisis: all that seems to be in the past for Brazil, reports Manuela Kasper-Claridge.
BusinessMarch 13, 2018
China Investitionen in Deutschland Symbolbild

Exit the Dragon? Chinese investment in Germany

China's investment goals in Germany and the rest of Europe are well known. Germans are becoming wary.
BusinessFebruary 5, 2018
Bangalore

India: better deal for foreign investors

India's government has eased regulations for foreign investors in a bid to boost economic growth in the Asian nation.
BusinessJanuary 10, 2018
Aerial view of Tehran

German-Iranian business ties

German-Iranian business ties have been growing, despite renewed US sanctions against Iran.
BusinessJanuary 2, 2018
China Investitionen in Deutschland Symbolbild

China's shopping spree for German firms continues

As Germany seeks takeover protection from foreign investors, we take a look at some prominent buyouts from recent years.
BusinessJuly 12, 2017
China 100 Yuan Scheine

Chinese firms step up global investment - UN

The Beijing government logged a 44 percent increase in investment in other countries last year, UNCTAD shows.
BusinessJune 7, 2017
external

Turkish market positive on referendom vote - fow now

TFrom a market perspective, Erdogan's victory could be considered an extension of the status quo. But is it?
BusinessApril 17, 201701:09 min
Deutschland Bauarbeiter auf Baustelle in Berlin

Direct investment rose unevenly

Foreign direct investment has increased worldwide to its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.
June 22, 2016
Indien Mumbai Skyline Wirtschaft Industrie Symbolbild

India opens up its economy

India has relaxed its foreign direct investment rules, allowing complete outside ownership in a number of key sectors.
June 20, 2016
Deutschland Investition im Iran

Foreign investments spark controversy in Iran

Foreign investments could help Iran's economy recover, but they remain contentious.
March 15, 2016
Man in suit putting bribe money in worker's pocket

Corporate bribery a major problem

Cross-border corporate bribery is still a largely unresolved issue, Transparency International has said in a new report.
August 20, 2015
A Chinese woman walks past a euro sign

Foreign investments into China slowing down

Rising costs and increasingly attractive offers from its neighbors means investors are beginning to shop elsewhere.
July 21, 2015
Building site in Brazil

Global FDI down sharply

Global foreign investment volumes have taken a hit of late, a fresh UN study has revealed.
June 24, 2015
Shanghai Skyline

China: FDI growth slowing down

There's been less foreign in investment in China, but more Chinese investment abroad.
June 18, 2015
China Investitionen in Deutschland Symbolbild

China investment surges

With China's growth slowing, domestic investors have been eyeing foreign companies.
May 15, 2015
Symbolbild China Industrie Arcelor Mittal Automotive Steel Co. in Hunan

Top investment destination

China attracted the most direct foreign investments in 2014, while the US is down to third place behind Hong Kong.
January 29, 2015
China welcome sign

China ODI surges in 2014

Chinas overseas investment surged past $100 billion in 2014, but remained below investment into the country.
January 16, 2015
German flag at busy port (Photo: Martin Gerten/dpa)

DFI boom

Germany is now among the 20 most attractive countries for foreign investors.
June 25, 2014

Capital flow to China ebbs

China appears less attractive to global capital as foreign direct investment has continued a 10-month slide, with a brief interruption in May. The downturn corresponds with weaker demand for Chinese products.
October 19, 2012
Message on a red wall saying "Welcome", also in Chinese

Courting Chinese businesses

German government and industry leaders have said they want to do more to attract foreign direct investment from Asia and China in particular. It's time to do away with decades-old misconceptions, they demanded.
June 12, 2012
Chinese letters saying "Welcome" across red wall

Investment impediments

Foreigners are investing less in China, the government in Beijing maintains. It says direct fund flows have dipped for six months in a row and cites Europe's ongoing economic woes as being critical.
May 15, 2012
A banknote is symbolically put into a globe

Foreign investments unstable

Direct investments abroad have increased globally, a new study by the United Nations' trade and development body bears out. But developing and emerging nations have not contributed to the rise.
April 12, 2012

China investment worries

Foreign investment in China slumps as rising costs and labor strife add to weak global growth.
February 16, 2012
European industry commissioner Antonio Tajani

Chinese buyouts

European leaders debate whether a new regulator is needed to scrutinize foreign investments.
December 28, 2010