MEXICO CITY—Mexico received a record $35.2 billion in foreign direct investment in 2013, bolstered by Anheuser-Busch InBev N.V.'s buyout of brewer Grupo Modelo, according to preliminary government data published Sunday.
Foreign companies invested more in Mexico last year than in 2012 despite a sharp slowdown in the economy, which grew just 1.1% compared with 3.9% the previous year.
Foreign direct investment in 2012 was $15.5 billion.
The Economy Ministry said Sunday that the Modelo buyout accounted for $13.2 billion of last year's investment.
Three quarters of the foreign direct investment was in manufacturing, with mining, commerce, hotels and construction receiving smaller amounts.
The country's FDI levels are expected to remain buoyant in coming years as legal overhauls in areas such as energy and telecommunications start to be implemented. For the first time in over 75 years, foreign and private oil companies will be allowed to produce oil and gas in Mexico.
Private economists surveyed in January by the Bank of Mexico forecast on average that FDI would exceed $26 billion this year and $30 billion in 2015.