Romania ranks 7th on greenfield projects worldwide

Russia ranks first, with $29 billion (€20.47 bln) worth of investments in 2006, followed by Romania, with $11.4 bln (€8.04 bln), and Ukraine. The 19 countries of SEE and CIS attracted $69.3 bln (€48.91 bln) up 68% in 2006. FDI inflows were concentrated in five countries: the Russian Federation, Romania, Kazakhstan, the Ukraine, and Bulgaria, together accounting for 82% of total incoming FDI to the region. Kazakhstan registered investments worth $6.1 bln (€4.3 bln), compared to Ukraine and Bulgaria, each with $5.2 bln (€3.67 bln).

There were 362 initiated and ongoing greenfield projects worldwide in 2006. Greenfield investments soared especially in developing countries and transition economies.

Globally, FDIs surged by 38 percent year-on-year, up to $1,306 bln (€921.87 bln), which is the largest advance registered in the past six years. This increase is partially explained by mergers and acquisitions (M&A), which continued to be the main factor for most foreign direct investments.

Romania had a value of M&A amounting to some $5.4 bln (€3.81 bln). Romania’s foreign direct investments amounted to $41 bln (€28.94 bln) by the end of 2006, which means half of that registered by Hungary and 2.5 times less than that reported by the Czech Republic. However, in terms of FDI stocks Russia attracted $197.7 bln (€139.55 bln).

According to UNCTAD, Romania has improved the performance of foreign direct investments in 2006, climbing five positions, and ranking 21st in the top 141 countries in the world, based on the investment performance index.

Among developing and transition economies, almost all regions and sub-regions registered a healthy increase in FDI inflows in 2006, with the exception of Oceania, South America, and Southern Africa. FDIs are expected to further increase in 2007, even though this year’s growth pace will be lower than that in 2006. Forecasts on investment growth rate are affected by uncertainties on financial markets and FDI unfavorable measures in certain areas.