Differences in global perspectives across regional groups are
partly translated into investments plans. Despite uncertainties for 2014,
almost half (48 per cent) of respondents from developed countries and
56 per cent of those from developing countries forecast an increase in
their FDI expenditures over 2013 levels. Developed country investors’
forecasts of their foreign expenditures are quite stable over the short
term with only minimal changes in the share of those who would reduce
their investment levels in the medium term, while there is an increase of
investments of firms based in developing countries for the year 2016.
In particular, about 7 per cent of developed-country TNCs expect their
FDI budgets to decline in 2016, compared with 3 per cent of TNCs
from developing countries (figure 9). The constant spending plans of
investors in developed economies could be yet another indication of
their cautious approach to foreign investment and their deep uncertainty
about the global macroeconomic scenario. On the contrary, TNCs from
developing and transition economies are more confident about growth
and internationalization opportunities. These dynamics may reinforce
the long-term trend of greater participation by TNCs from emerging
economies in global FDI flows