International investment brings growth and sustainable development when the right policies are pursued.  International investment includes foreign direct investment, other capital movements and the operations of multinational enterprises. 

The OECD provides a forum for international co-operation, policy analysis and advice to governments on how best to enhance the positive contribution of investment worldwide.

Current priorities include: increasing the capacity of developing countries to attract more and better investment; promoting corporate responsibility through the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises; enhancing the understanding of emerging legal and policy issues relating to international investment protection provisions and arbitration procedures and promoting transparent and non-discriminatory treatment of investment through observance of OECD investment instruments.

Reliable and up-to-date statistics are essential for a meaningful interpretation of investment trends for the purpose of decision and evaluation.  OECD gathers and analyses detailed statistics on international direct investment  and publishes statistics and reports on aid  and other resource flows to developing countries and countries in transition and related matters.

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International Investment Law

Addressing key issues in international investment agreements

Understanding concepts and tracking innovations

Global Forum on International Investment VII

27-28 March 2008, Paris, France


June 2008

Recent statistics, policy analysis and tools promoting investment

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2007 Edition

Detailed statistics on FDI to and from the OECD area

International Direct Investment Statistics