Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a critical role in international business today and is a major driver of globalisation. It can provide a firm with new markets, cheaper production facilities, access to new technology, products, skills and financing. For a host country or the foreign firm which receives the investment, it is source of new technologies, capital, processes, products, organizational technologies and management skills. It fosters growth and economic development and all nations compete for greater FDI investments into their countries.

The current economic and financial crisis has severely impacted Global FDI inflows, which fell from a historic high of $1,979 billion in 2007 to $1,697 billion in 2008, a decline of 14%. According to the latest World Investment Report, FDI flows are expected to fall further to $1.2 trillion in 2009 before a slow recovery expected in 2010. The crisis has also changed the investment landscape, with many developing and transition economies emerging as large recipients and investors: they accounted for 43% and 19% of global FDI inflows and outflows, respectively, in 2008. The rapidly changing and uncertain economic outlook has made it increasingly difficult for firms, FDI agencies and service providers to track developments and take informed decisions.

FDI Tracker is a unique website that offers free, usable and timely information on all things related to foreign direct investment. It has been set up after detailed consultation with FDI experts, who felt the need for a single source for all FDI related information. The site tracks latest FDI related news and reports to assist potential investors evaluate the best location for their business and connect them with relevant FDI agencies and service providers. It will also help FDI professionals save substantial time by helping them identify target investors and track latest developments.