FDI in manufacturing rose, equity capital financing
of FDI activities was at an all-time high, and regional investment expansion by MNEs
remained strong. Investment from the six prospective partners with ASEAN in the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) increased by 11 per cent to $40 billion in 2015;
and these countries contributed some 30 per cent of inflows in 2014–2015, underscoring
their position as a significant source of FDI for the region. Investors are also more attentive
to the CLMV countries (Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar and
Viet Nam): total FDI flows to these countries taken together rose by 38 per cent to $17.4
billion in 2015. Their share as recipients of FDI flows in the region rose from 10 per cent in
2014 to 14 per cent in 2015.