The Bahamas is ranked 48 in terms of foreign investment relative to the size its economy for the 1998-2000 period, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
The 1988-1990 ratings showed that The Bahamas ranked 82 in terms of foreign investments.
The Caribbean countries beating out The Bahamas in the 1998-2000 ratings were the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, which ranked 11, Guyana at 19, and Jamaica at 26.
However, Haiti, the poorest Caribbean country came in 124, according to the UN investment performance rating released Tuesday.
According to The World Investment Report 2002: “The first principal finding is that foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in 2001 declined to $735 billion.
“This is less than half the 2000 figure. Behind this decline is the slowdown in the world economy and a weakening of business confidence, both of which were accentuated by the September 11 events in the United States, and both of which contributed to a sharp reduction of cross border mergers and acquisitions that take place predominantly between industrialised countries. In light of the prolonged economic recession and the slow recovery of business confidence, especially in the United States, UNCTAD does not expect a rebound of FDI flows this year.”
Further stated the report: “Despite the decline in FDI flows, the expansion of international production continues, although at a slower pace, stated the report. However, developments differ markedly between various parts of the world. The FDI downturn was concentrated in the developed countries (-59%), with only modest declines in flows to developing countries (-14%) and even a small increase in flows to Central and Eastern Europe (2%). There were also significant variations within the third world, with lower levels of inflows to Asia and Latin America but an increase to Africa. Africa, however, still remains a marginal recipient of FDI.”
Meanwhile, The Ministry of Financial Services and Investments is set to announce the Financial Services Consultative Forum, at the end of this month.
The Forum, through its Board and a network of sub-committees, will thoroughly examine financial sector issues as relate to The Bahamas’ international obligations, its national interest, market needs and changing market trends.
This consultative body will ensure that the views of private and public sector, regulators and other parties are fully considered.
The following is a list of countries ranked for the period 1998-2000. (Rankings for 1988-1990 are shown in parentheses.)
1. Belgium and Luxembourg (13)
2. Hong Kong (4)
3. Angola (129)
4. Ireland (71)
5. Malta (28)
6. Sweden (57)
7. Netherlands (19)
8. Azerbaijan (3)
9. Nicaragua (123)
10. Bolivia (54)
11. Trinidad and Tobago (27)
12. Denmark (62)
13. Czech Republic (20)
14. Panama (139)
15. Armenia (112)
16. Estonia (2)
17. Chile (15)
18. Singapore (1)
19. Guyana (72)
20. Vietnam (53)
21. Kazakstan (17)
22. Finland (81)
23. Mozambique (109)
24. Bulgaria (67)
25. Britain (16)
26. Jamaica (33)
27. Croatia (65)
28. Zambia (9)
29. Moldova (38)
30. Canada (46)
31. Dominican Republic (32)
32. Latvia (7)
33. Lithuania (56)
34. Papua New Guinea (5)
35. Slovakia (40)
36. Georgia (88)
37. Argentina (48)
38. Poland (37)
39. Switzerland (43)
40. Bahrain (31)
41. Thailand (25)
42. Brazil (95)
43. Germany (106)
44. Malaysia (8)
45. Ecuador (41)
46. Togo (52)
47. China (61)
48. Bahamas (82)
49. Hungary (6)
50. El Salvador (111)
51. Venezuela (84)
52. Spain (26)
53. Honduras (49)
54. New Zealand (10)
55. Kyrgyzstan (14)
56. Costa Rica (24)
57. Romania (64)
58. Sudan (132)
59. Uganda (130)
60. Norway (59)
61. Malawi (51)
62. Gambia (34)
63. Namibia (94)
64. Ivory Coast (101)
65. Portugal (18)
66. Macedonia (91)
67. Tunisia (68)
68. Peru (114)
69. France (60)
70. Israel (100)
71. Benin (23)
72. Nigeria (11)
73. Zimbabwe (136)
74. United States (50)
75. Austria (98)
76. Mali (105)
77. Colombia (96)
78. Mexico (42)
79. Republic of Congo (107)
80. Tajikistan (70)
81. Albania (12)
82. Myanmar (36)
83. Senegal (78)
84. Tanzania (119)
85. Paraguay (75)
86. Jordan (97)
87. South Korea (93)
88. Australia (22)
89. Philippines (39)
90. Belarus (122)
91. Egypt (21)
92. Qatar (133)
93. Mongolia (66)
94. Guatemala (30)
95. Ukraine (99)
96. Gabon (44)
97. Ethiopia (118)
98. Iceland (104)
99. Madagascar (89)
100. Uzbekistan (110)
101. Morocco (76)
102. Cyprus (35)
103. Sri Lanka (85)
104. Russia (108)
105. Syria (92)
106. Guinea (74)
107. Ghana (113)
108. Uruguay (87)
109. Botswana (29)
110. Slovenia (80)
111. Algeria (126)
112. Taiwan (58)
113. South Africa (131)
114. Pakistan (77)
115. Italy (79)
116. Burkina Faso (116)
117. Kenya (90)
118. Congo (134)
119. India (121)
120. Cameroon (127)
121. Niger (69)
122. Bangladesh (127)
123. Turkey (83)
124. Haiti (102)
125. Greece (45)
126. Lebanon (117)
127. Saudi Arabia (103)
128. Brunei (125)
129. Rwanda (73)
130. Oman (47)
131. Japan (128)
132. Kuwait (124)
133. Nepal (120)
134. Sierra Leone (55)
135. Iran (135)
136. Libya (86)
137. United Arab Emirates (115)
138. Indonesia (63)
139. Yemen (138)
140. Suriname (140)
By Lindsay Thompson, The Nassau Guardian
