MINSK, 31 October (BelTA) - In January-September this year the volume of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the economy of Minsk Oblast was up 64% from the same period last year to a total of $393.6 million, BelTA learnt from the economy committee of the Minsk City Сouncil. In January-September, the FDI on a net basis (excluding debt to a direct investor for goods (works, services)) totaled $74 million. The largest volume of the FDI on a net basis was raised into the manufacturing industry - $27 million (36.5%), of them $26.3 million went into the processing industry. Foreign investors sent $24.6 million into trade, $9.6 million into operations with real estate, rent and the services sector, $9.4 million into transport and communications. Minsk District raised 60% of the total FDI on a net basis, Logoisk District 10% and Borisov District 9%. In January-September 2012 the biggest countries-investors were Lithuania (33.5% of the total FDI), Cyprus (11.4%), Azerbaijan (9.6%), the Netherlands (6.9%), Iran (6%), Germany (6%), the UK (5.1%), and Russia (3%). According to the specialists, FDI is the most popular form of foreign capital investment. It supports implementation of big and important projects and makes an alternative to loan resources, an additional source of currency supplies, an efficient instrument of implementing innovative technologies guaranteeing an access to foreign markets. Gross FDI accounted for 80.3% of the total foreign investment. In January-September foreign investors injected almost $490 million into the Minsk Oblast real sector of economy. The biggest part came from Russia (38.7%), Cyprus (18.8%), and Lithuania (11.7%). Over 56% of investment was put in the regional industry. Investors also injected money in trade, transport, maintenance services, production of household goods and agriculture. The biggest amount of investment was put in Minsk District (45%), Zhodino (26%) and Pukhovichi District (8.1%). In January-September 2012 Minsk Oblast companies invested almost $519.5 million abroad, including Russia (85%) and China (6%).

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