Electricity projects received the greatest increase in number of FDI projects by sector globally during the first quarter of 2011, according to data from greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets. A total of 92 projects were recorded in the first quarter of 2011 compared with only 29 projects recorded during the same period in 2010 – an increase of 217%.

FDI into design, development and testing (47%), technical support centre (56%) and recycling (67%) business activities also had large increases recorded during the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same quarter in 2010. Overall FDI projects increased by 12% in the first quarter of 2011.

However, there were losers. FDI projects in the construction sector continued to decline with 36% fewer FDI projects recorded during the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010.

Customer contact centre and shared services centre business activities also had losses in FDI projects of 33% and 13%, respectively, when comparing Q1 2011 figures with those of Q1 2010.