Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Latin America and the Caribbean increased 5.1% in nominal terms in 2013 to $184,920 million. Six countries accounted for 82% of FDI, led by Brazil, whose FDI declined 1.8% to $64,046 million. FDI rose 117.2% for Mexico, the second-largest recipient, to $38,286 million due to the acquisition of beer maker Modelo. But FDI declined last year for Chile, Argentina and Peru, falling 29%, 25% and 17% respectively. FDI in Panama, Bolivia and Ecuador rose 61%, 35% and 20% respectively. FDI in Central America as a whole rose 21.4% to $10,691 million, but declined 8.6% for South America to $129,890 million and was down 19% for the Caribbean to $6,052 million. By sector, service, manufacturing and natural resources accounted for 38%, 36% and 26% of regional FDI last year, respectively. Based on the percentage of announced R&D activities in 2013, Latin America accounted for 3% of the worldwide total.

Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean