Data from greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets shows that there has been a global decline in manufacturing FDI in the first four months of 2013. Between January and April 2013, a total of 734 FDI projects were recorded in the sector, a 28% drop compared to the same period in 2012, when 1014 projects were recorded.

North America remains the most popular region for manufacturing projects. However, with the 195 projects recorded in the first four months of 2013 representing a 35% drop on the same period in 2012, it recorded one of the most significant declines in FDI flows. Asia-Pacific, the second most popular destination, also witnessed a decline in project numbers. It recorded 193 projects in the period.

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Latin America and the Caribbean and the 'Rest of Europe' region recorded 109 projects each in the first quarter of 2013. This was a increase decline for Latin America and the Caribbean, which recorded 105 projects in the first four months of 2012. It represented a more significant 22% drop for the 'Rest of Europe' region.

Western Europe recorded a 27% drop in its manufacturing FDI, with 81 projects recorded. But it was Africa and the Middle East that were the least popular manufacturing regions in the first four months of 2013.

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