Foreign direct investment up in first two quarters of 2016

During the first six months of 2016, foreign direct investment in Malta went up by €1.9 billion, equivalent to an increase of €455.6 million over the corresponding period in 2015, according the data issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Over the same period, direct investment flows abroad accounted for €2.5 billion, said the NSO, adding that this represents a marginal decline over the amount registered during the second quarter of 2015.

According to the NSO, foreign direct investment is defined as investment in Malta where a foreign investor owns 10 or more of the shares belonging to an enterprise in Malta. On the other hand, it defines direct investment abroad as investment where a Maltese resident entity owns 10% or more of the shares of an enterprise in another economy.

Foreign direct investment consists mainly of financial and insurance activities, with this category making up 95.6% of the investment. The largest increase over the same period in 2015 was registered in investment related to transportation, accommodation and real estate activities, while investment in information and communication decreased by the biggest margin. 

In June, the stock position of FDI amounted to €156.7 billion, an increase of €10 billion over the corresponding period the previous year. The stock position of direct investment abroad was €61.8 billion in June 2016, up by €676.0 million