The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's (Unctad's) 'Global Investment Trends Monitor' shows that global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows increased marginally by 3% in 2023 to reach an estimated $1.37-trillion and defy expectations as recession fears early in the year receded and financial markets performed well. However, economic uncertainty and higher interest rates affected global investment. The headline increase was owing largely to higher values in a few European conduit economies. Excluding these conduits, global FDI flows were 18% lower, it notes.
