The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could cause global foreign direct investment (FDI) to shrink by 5%-15%, according to an UNCTAD report published on 8 March.
The UN trade body had projected earlier a stable level of global FDI inflows in 2020-2021 with a potential increase of 5%.
Now it warns that flows may hit their lowest levels since the 2008-2009 financial crisis, should the epidemic continue throughout the year.