Salient features of UN report

The salient features of the UN's World Investment Report for 2005, released here on Thursday, were:
1. Because of privatisation, especially in telecom sector, Pakistan was expected to receive an increased flow of foreign investment in coming years.
2. End of textile and clothing quotas would benefit Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.
3. Indian investment in Bangladesh will increase.
4. New Delhi was targeting an investment of $150 billion in coming 10 years for its special economic zones, science parks, free trade, and warehousing zones.
5. The FDI inflow to USA equalled that to China and Hong Kong.
6. The latest report reflects new trends in the investment by trans-nationals that now share their technology by setting up research and developing facilities in developing countries.
7. Asia and Oceania broke records in 2004 by receiving a record total of US $148 billion - 46 billion more than the previous year.
8. By receiving $60.6 billion China became the largest recipient among developing countries world-wide, registering an increase of 150 percent that was two-thirds of all FDI in the region.
9. Pakistan, Bangladesh and India increased investment by 31 percent (US $7 billion) during 2004, while in contrast it declined by 54 percent ($67 million) in nations of Oceania (Pacific Islands).
10. While Greenfield investment remained the most important mode, cross-border mergers and acquisitions continued to increase during 2004, particularly in services sector.