Thailand ranks 5th in foreign capital inflows
Thailand ranks 5th in foreign capital inflows
Thailand ranks fifth in Asia as the country with the highest capital inflow last year, after China, Hong Kong, Singapore and India, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report.
Kee Hwee Wee, an UNCTAD official in charge of economic affairs, said during the launch of the World Investment Report for 2007 : Transnational Corporations, Extractive Industries and Development that direct investment worldwide last year increased by 38 per cent to US$1.3 trillion since economies in many regions were strong.
Two-thirds of the total direct investment had flowed into developing countries in Asia because the regional economy had grown strongly.
Also, the region is abundant with natural resources, particularly oil and gas.
China ranks as the top Asian country in which direct investment had flowed in the highest amount -- at US$69 billion.
Hong Kong, Singapore and India come second, third and fourth, respectively, while Thailand ranks fifth with a direct investment of $9.8 billion in 2006.
The United States and Europe are major investors in the region with the investment approach shifting from the stock investment to the merger and acquisition of businesses with growth potential such as the acquisition of Shin Corporation's shares by Singapore's Temasek Holdings.
Business sectors that drew much attention from the US and European investors include oil, gold, and ore since the product prices had increased considerably in the past year.
According to the report, direct investment is expected to flow into Asia and Southeast Asia continuously because regional economies are expanding swiftly. (TNA)
