Core Insights - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment announced that foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected to reach 119.2 billion riyals (31.755 billion USD) in 2024, representing a 24% year-on-year increase and exceeding the initial target by 39% [1] - The total investment stock has increased to 977.3 billion riyals (260.353 billion USD), showing a 9% year-on-year growth [1] - Non-oil FDI is projected to account for nearly 90% of total inflows, contributing approximately 4.2% to non-oil GDP [1] Sector Breakdown - The manufacturing sector leads in FDI, attracting 35.1 billion riyals (9.351 billion USD), followed by wholesale and retail trade with 18.2 billion riyals (4.848 billion USD) [1] - The top ten countries contributing to FDI inflows will account for 72% of the total, with the UAE leading at 18.4 billion riyals (4.902 billion USD), followed by Germany at 14.9 billion riyals (3.969 billion USD), and the USA at 14.7 billion riyals (3.916 billion USD) [1] - China ranks fourth in FDI inflows with 7.5 billion riyals (1.998 billion USD) [1]

Core Insights - Ghana's investment environment shows resilience in 2024, attracting $651.7 million in new investments despite a 5% decline in overall foreign direct investment (FDI) compared to the previous year [1] Investment Overview - The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) reported that in Q4 2024, FDI amounted to $617.61 million, while local investments reached $34.11 million, indicating strong investment inflows [1] - Although the total investment amount in 2024 is lower than in 2023, investor interest has increased, with the number of registered projects rising to 140, an 11% increase year-on-year [1] Project Distribution - Out of the registered projects, 107 are wholly foreign-owned, reflecting global confidence in Ghana's economy despite geopolitical tensions and changes in industrial policies [1] - China leads in project numbers with 49 projects, while the Netherlands is the largest source of investment by value at $265.3 million, highlighting renewed European interest in Ghana's logistics and infrastructure sectors [1] Employment Impact - Projects expected in 2024 are projected to create 15,328 jobs, with nearly 90% reserved for local Ghanaian enterprises [1] - Domestic investor confidence has also strengthened, with 54 wholly Ghanaian-owned projects registered this year, totaling $1.37 billion [1] - Joint ventures account for nearly one-quarter of all projects, indicating deepening collaboration between local and foreign enterprises [1]

Core Insights - The report by the New Zealand-China Relationship Promotion Committee highlights the long-term cooperative value of Chinese investments in New Zealand's dairy industry [1] - From 2014 to 2024, China's cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) in New Zealand increased by 106%, outpacing the overall growth rate of New Zealand's FDI stock [1] - The dairy sector is identified as a representative industry for Chinese investment, showcasing the value of the long-term partnership between the two countries [1] Investment Diversification - The report uses the pet food and game development industries as examples to illustrate the increasing diversification of Chinese investments in New Zealand [1] - It emphasizes that Chinese investments are responding quickly to consumer demand [1] - The report suggests that China should focus on investing in areas where it has industrial advantages, such as renewable energy, advanced transportation, clean technology, and food production [1] Business Presence - Currently, at least 60 New Zealand companies have established business operations in China [1] - The chairman of the New Zealand-China Relationship Promotion Committee, McKinnon, states that increasing bilateral investment will help establish a long-term cooperative relationship between the two countries [1] - New Zealand is actively seeking to attract investment to drive growth, and leveraging its stable bilateral relationship with China is seen as a reasonable strategy [1]

Group 1 - In the first half of 2025, the United States became the largest greenfield investor in Saudi Arabia, with investments in 61 projects totaling $2.7 billion [1] - Egypt ranked second, investing in 11 projects with a total value of $1.81 billion [1] - China secured the third position, investing $858.3 million through 11 projects [1] Group 2 - Overall, the number of greenfield projects in Saudi Arabia increased by 30.1% year-on-year, reaching 203 projects [1] - Total foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow grew by 1.7% year-on-year, amounting to $9.34 billion [1] - The commercial services sector had the highest number of greenfield FDI projects, with 55 projects accounting for 27% of the total [1] Group 3 - Riyadh attracted the most investments, with 100 projects and a total investment of $2.3 billion [1] - Dammam had 21 investment projects totaling $1.28 billion [1] - Jeddah followed with 13 projects and a total investment of $1.22 billion [1]

Core Insights - Vietnam's manufacturing sector continues to attract significant foreign direct investment (FDI), with $10.03 billion in new registered FDI, of which $5.61 billion (55.9%) is in manufacturing [1] - Cumulative FDI in manufacturing reached $13.72 billion, accounting for nearly 57% of Vietnam's total FDI [1] - Actual FDI disbursement in manufacturing was $11.1 billion, representing a high proportion of 81.6% [1] Group 1 - The manufacturing sector remains the most attractive area for FDI in Vietnam, supported by competitive labor costs, strategic geographic location, and the implementation of new free trade agreements [1] - Vietnam is increasingly integrating into global supply chains, particularly in electronics, components, and equipment [1] Group 2 - The concentration of FDI in manufacturing is expected to enhance Vietnam's industrial production capacity, boost exports, create jobs, and significantly contribute to GDP growth [2] - Maintaining the current level of FDI attraction and increasing localization rates will lay the foundation for achieving double-digit growth targets from 2026 to 2030 [2] - There is a need to focus on improving the quality of FDI by prioritizing high-tech and environmentally friendly projects to align with global green growth trends [2]

Group 1 - India's foreign direct investment (FDI) dropped to $3.5 million in May, a 98% year-on-year decline, with a 97% drop in FDI for 2024, causing significant concern in India [1] - The Indian government plans to ease investment conditions for foreign investors, particularly targeting Chinese companies that still have substantial investments in India [1][3] - The National Transformation Council of India proposed to relax scrutiny on Chinese investments, allowing them to invest in local companies while limiting their ownership to 24% [3] Group 2 - Chinese smartphone brands have significantly contributed to India's manufacturing sector, with one brand surpassing Samsung to become the largest smartphone brand in India by 2017 [5] - The establishment of factories by Chinese companies in India has led to the country becoming the second-largest smartphone producer globally [5] - However, Indian conglomerates have aggressively taken control of factories, leading to significant losses for foreign manufacturers and causing many foreign companies to withdraw from the Indian market [7] Group 3 - The withdrawal of foreign companies has been severe, with over 1,700 out of 5,000 foreign firms deregistering in India from 2022 to mid-2023, indicating a worsening trend in FDI [7][9] - India recognizes the importance of foreign investment for its economy and is now focusing on attracting Chinese companies that still operate in the country to potentially regain foreign interest [9]

Core Insights - A study by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPRRA) indicates that despite billions in foreign direct investment (FDI) flowing into Kenya, these investments are not directed towards critical industrial sectors such as manufacturing, mining, and construction, but rather into service sectors like retail, finance, information and communication technology, and hospitality [1] - The report highlights that even when investments do enter industrial sectors, they often take the form of greenfield projects, which require a long time to yield benefits and frequently do not align with local industrial needs [1] - The study found that in the four key sectors analyzed, both foreign direct investment and domestic direct investment (DDI) have statistically insignificant impacts on industrial output, revealing deep structural issues in Kenya's ability to attract and manage capital investments [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights a significant decline in India's net foreign direct investment (FDI), which fell to a historic low of $35 million in May 2025, marking a 99% month-over-month and 98% year-over-year drop, raising concerns about the investment climate in India [4][10][12]. Group 1: FDI Data Analysis - In the fiscal year 2024-2025, India's net FDI is projected to be $353 million, a drastic decrease of 96.5% compared to nearly $10 billion in the previous fiscal year [10][11][12]. - The total FDI inflow for the fiscal year 2025 is expected to reach $81 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 13.7% [12]. - The sharp decline in net FDI is attributed to a significant outflow of foreign capital, with local companies investing $29 billion abroad [16][19]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment - India has been characterized as a "graveyard for foreign investment," with stringent regulations and unpredictable policies leading to substantial penalties for foreign companies [19][20]. - For instance, Samsung was required to pay $601 million in taxes and fines, equivalent to its annual net profit in India, illustrating the harsh financial environment for foreign firms [21][22]. - The Indian government has implemented various measures, such as a digital services tax and restrictions on foreign ownership, which have increased the cost of investment for foreign companies [25][26]. Group 3: Investor Sentiment - Despite the negative reputation, foreign companies continue to invest in India due to its large population and market potential, driven by a sense of optimism and the belief that they can navigate the regulatory landscape [29][30]. - However, the recent military conflict with Pakistan has raised alarms among international investors, highlighting concerns over India's military capabilities and the safety of their investments [42][49]. - The Indian central bank's attempts to downplay the situation by emphasizing market liquidity and attractiveness are met with skepticism, as the reality of a 99% drop in net FDI cannot be ignored [50][52].

Group 1 - The UAE has achieved a record high in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow, reaching $45.6 billion in 2024, a significant increase of 48% compared to the previous year [2] - The UAE has become the 10th largest FDI destination globally, attracting 37% of the region's foreign investment, showcasing its strength as a regional investment hub [2] - The UAE's success is attributed to strategic leadership, investor-friendly policies, and a vision for economic diversification, aiming to attract $354 billion in FDI by 2030 [2] Group 2 - The Dubai IFZA Free Zone serves as an official bridge for international investors, particularly Chinese companies, to efficiently enter the UAE market [3] - IFZA offers a partner-centric service model and comprehensive business support within a robust legal framework, facilitating access to opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa [3] - IFZA provides unique advantages such as transparent and low registration fees, simplified registration processes, and a wide range of business activities under one license [5]

Group 1 - South Korea has experienced the largest decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) to the U.S. among Asian countries, with a staggering 90% drop in 2024 compared to the previous year [1] - In 2024, total FDI to the U.S. from Asia is projected to be $23.2 billion, a 40% decrease year-on-year, while European investments remain dominant at $96.7 billion [1] - Japan, in contrast, has increased its investment in the U.S. to $18 billion, while China's investment has decreased by 9% to $589 million [1] Group 2 - The decline in South Korean investment is attributed to several factors, including market saturation, reduced demand in key industries like electric vehicle batteries, and increased uncertainty in U.S. policies [1][2] - South Korea was previously the largest investor in the U.S., with commitments of $21.5 billion in 2023, but recent shifts in U.S. policy under the Trump administration have led to a reassessment of investment strategies [2] - Despite the overall decline, some Asian companies, such as Hyundai Motor Group, are still pursuing expansion plans, with Hyundai announcing an additional $21 billion investment in the U.S. [3]