Hong Kong has retained its position as the best-performing host
economy for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Asia and as the
region's second largest FDI destination, according to the "World
Investment Report 2003" released Friday by the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development.
While FDI inflows declined last year both globally and
regionally in difficult economic conditions, UNCTAD forecast that
promising prospects in 2003-04 would spur an upturn in FDI --
particularly in Asia and the Pacific.
FDI flows to Asia and the Pacific declined for the second
consecutive year, from 107 billion US dollars in 2001 to 95 billion
US dollars in 2002. Hong Kong's FDI in 2002 reached 13.7 billion US
dollars, down from an adjusted 23.7 billion US dollars in 2001.
However, Hong Kong maintained its position as the second largest
recipient of FDI in Asia, behind the Chinese Mainland, it said.
Commenting on the report, the Director-General of Investment
Promotion at Invest Hong Kong Mike Rowse said, "it is very
encouraging that Hong Kong was able to retain its position as
second in FDI inflows and the best performing host economy in
Asia."
"This clearly confirms that multinational companies still see
the advantages of investing in Hong Kong," he said.
On a global scale, Hong Kong ranked 15th in FDI inflows in 2002.
Luxembourg was the largest FDI recipient last year, followed
closely by the Chinese Mainland.
(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2003)