In 2011, Russia was the most attractive destination for FDI in Central and Eastern Europe.

In 2011, Russia led Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) at attracting FDI. Despite that, the number of FDI projects declined by 36% in 2011, down to 128.

FDI projects decline but are still close to the pre-crisis level

Source: Ernst & Young's European Investment Monitor 2012.

However, 8,362 new jobs were created, a 4% increase over 2010. Labor-intensive industrial activities increased the average number of jobs created per project to 65 in 2011 from 40 in 2010.

Manufacturing: the center of Russia’s appeal

Manufacturing activity remains at the heart of Russia’s attractiveness. Manufacturing accounted for 51% of investment projects and 92% of job creation between 2007 and 2011.

The sales and marketing function attracted 259 projects, 33% of the total FDI projects in Russia. More than 80% of these sales and marketing projects were concentrated in Russia’s two largest cities – Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Top sectors

Russia’s industrial sector attracts more FDI projects than any other sector.

• Automotive has been the key sector attracting FDI in Russia over the last five years, with 90 projects and 16,787 jobs created.
• The food sector brought in the second-largest number of FDI projects (86) in Russia. Over the past five years, the industry created employment for 9,958 people.
• Machinery and equipment emerged as the third-largest sector in Russia in terms of FDI projects (62) and the fourth-largest in job creation (3,682 jobs) between 2007 and 2011.
• Russia's business services sector has seen a growth in FDI activity in recent years. It accounted for 9% of the total FDI projects in 2011.

The US: the largest source of FDI

The United States remains Russia’s leading investor with 122 FDI projects between 2007 and 2011 (16% of the total).

However, eight of the top 10 FDI source countries are from Europe. Over the past five years, European countries originated 343 FDI projects, 44% of the total in Russia.

FDI activity into Russia by emerging economies remained low between 2007 and 2011. India and China each accounted for less than 2% of FDI projects in Russia. Brazil established just two projects in the country.

Top regions

Over 40% of FDI projects are concentrated in the Federal cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The capital city attracted 231 projects that led to the creation of 3,735 jobs from 2007 to 2011. FDI in Moscow was concentrated in sectors such as business services, financial intermediation, machinery and equipment and software.

St. Petersburg led in the number of FDI jobs (9,843). This city is a major financial and industrial center in Russia

The Kaluga and Nizhny Novgorod regions are other developing areas for foreign investment.

<< Previous | Next >>