JOI 20th Anniversary FDI SeminarPerspective of the Global Economy and Trends of FDI in 2012
JBIC and the Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (JOI) co-organized a seminar entitled, “JOI 20th Anniversary FDI Seminar: Perspective of the Global Economy and Trends of FDI in 2012” on January 27, 2012. More than 120 ambassadors and consuls posted to Japan representing their countries attended the Seminar. After the Opening Remarks were made by Mr. Shinichi Jin, President, JOI, Mr. Hiroshi Watanabe, President & CEO at that time, JBIC ; Mr. Shinji Kimura, Global Manager, Manufacturing, Chemicals & Fertilizer, International Finance Corporation (IFC); and Mr. Shinji Ayuha, Division Chief, Research Division, Policy and Strategy Office for Financial Operations at that time, JBIC, made presentations respectively on “Recent Development in Global Market,” “Trends and Perspective of FDI from International Organization's Point of View” and “Outlook for Japanese Foreign Direct Investment: Results of JBIC 2011 Survey.”
Mr. Watanabe of JBIC expressing his viewMr. Watanabe of JBIC expressed his view: “As successions of the global leaders take place in 2012, it would be difficult to make a decisive political decision. Altough we cannot necessarily be optimistic about where economic policy measures will be heading for, the global economy is more or less moving in the right direction, and It is considered that there would be a low likelihood of further decline in economic activity.”
Mr. Kimura of IFC stated: “At present, developed countries have more than 50% share in the world GDP. However, with the prospect of China holding a 22% share in 2030, emerging countries will come to the fore. The ratio of the manufacturing industry in FDI is one-quarter, a relatively high figure. The manufacturing industry is performing a substantial role as a driving force for generating employment in the world economy. Since a country's economy does not grow unless the manufacturing industry develops, Japanese firms' active expansion of overseas operations will be credited for the future development of world economy. IFC has made more than $5 billion investments and loans, focusing on food security, employment creation and infrastructure development. It will support economic growth in emerging market countries, while keeping its sights on women's social advancement and inclusive business.” Thus he emphasized the importance of employment creation in the manufacturing industry and described IFC's contribution to the manufacturing industry.
Mr. Kimura of IFC making his pointFinally, Mr. Ayuha of JBIC made a presentation by drawing on the data from the “Outlook for Japanese Foreign Direct Investment: Results of JBIC 2011 Survey” (FY2011 Survey on Foreign Direct Investment), an annual survey conducted by JBIC. He explained the results of responses to the annually asked questions, “Promising Countries or Regions for Overseas Business Operations over the Medium-term” and the “Eevaluations of Overseas Business Performance.” He also made comments on the responses to the questions on special topics this year: “Supply Chains since the Great East Japan Earthquake” and “Overseas Infrastructure Development.”
JBIC will continue to provide a variety of information on Japanese overseas business activities.
