Foreign direct investment, 1998-2009

At the end of 2009, foreign equity capital in Norwegian companies amounted to NOK 464 billion, which made up 56 per cent of all foreign direct investment in Norway. Norwegian equity capital in foreign companies amounted to NOK 854 billion, or 90 per cent of all the Norwegian investment abroad. The rest of invested capital in both directions is made up of net loan assets.

Compared with 2008, it is the increase in net loans both ways that has had the greatest impact on direct investment statistics.

Sweden on top

The geographical breakdown of both inward and outward direct investment shows that EU countries and the USA are predominant. Close to 75 per cent of foreign direct investment in Norway was from these countries. Seventy-eight per cent of the total increase of NOK 61 billion from 2008 was from EU countries. Sweden is the country with the largest investments in Norway. In 2009, 15 per cent of total inward direct investment came from Sweden. USA followed closely with almost 15 per cent, followed by the Netherlands and Great Britain, with little more than 8 per cent each.

Fifty-nine per cent of all Norwegian direct investment abroad took place in EU countries, 11 per cent in the USA and 10 per cent in Singapore. Sweden also took the lead in outward investments; 13 per cent of Norwegian direct investment was in Sweden. Other important countries were Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands, with more than 8 per cent each.

Largest investments in oil activities both in Norway and abroad

At the end of 2009, 30 per cent of direct investments both in Norway and abroad were in oil activities. Inward investments were also dominated by financial intermediation and insurance, and manufacturing. The latter was also important with regard to outward investments, followed by the activity areas transport and communication and financial intermediation and insurance. Holiday houses are included in direct investment and the value is estimated to be NOK 211 billion for outward investment and NOK 82 billion for inward investment.

Income

Income from direct investment is defined to include dividends paid, reinvested earnings and interest. The return in 2009 on foreign investment abroad amounted to NOK 42 billion, while the corresponding figure for foreign investment in Norway was NOK 94 billion.

Tables:

• Table 1 Foreign direct investments abroad. 1998-2009. Total NOK million
• Table 2 Foreign direct investment in Norway. 1998-2009. NOK million
• Table 3 Return on direct investment abroad 2004-2009. NOK million
• Table 4 Return on direct investment in Norway 2004-2009. NOK million