The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows in the month of September, 2008 were US $ 2.56 billion. This represents a growth of 259% over the same month in the previous year (during September, 2007, the FDI equity inflows were US $ 713 million).

The FDI equity inflows during April-September 2008 have been US $ 17.21 billion. This represents a growth of 137% over the previous year (FDI equity inflows during April-September 2007 were US $ 7.25 billion).

The sectors attracting the highest FDI equity inflows during April to August, 2008 have been the services sector (US $ 2.34 billion), construction activities including roads and highways (US $ 1.64 billion), housing and real estate (US $ 1.62 billion) and computer hardware and software (US $ 1.36 billion).

The top investing countries in terms of FDI equity inflows during April to August, 2008 have been Mauritius (US $ 5.27 billion), Singapore (US $ 1.72 billion), USA (US $ 1.15 billlion) and Netherlands (US $ 580 million).

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RJ/MRS

Foreign direct investment surge signals broad sectoral appetite and increased cross border equity inflows. Foreign direct investment equity inflows rose markedly: September inflows totalled US$2.56 billion and cumulative FDI equity for April-September reached US$17.21 billion, reflecting strong year on year growth. The principal recipient sectors were services, construction (including roads and highways), housing and real estate, and computer hardware and software, while leading investor jurisdictions included Mauritius, Singapore, the United States, and the Netherlands.