December 2009

Welcome to the latest update from Invest in America, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s program to promote foreign direct investment to the United States This monthly update is meant to provide a few quick points highlighting some activities of Invest in America.

Upcoming Invest in America Participation

Invest in America will participate in:

• Eastern Trade Council Board Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, January 19, 2010.
• Council of America States in Europe (CASE ) Three City Roadshow, events in Milan, Paris and Brussels, February 2-4, 2010.
• International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Federal Economic Development Forum, Alexandria, Virginia, April 18-20, 2010.
• State International Development Organizations, Federal Forum, Washington, DC, April 21-23, 2010.
• Additional Invest in America outreach events in Edinburgh, Moscow and other locations in 2010, forthcoming.

Recent Invest in America Participation

• Business Investment Seminar: Entering the U.S. Market, Doha, Qatar, December 6, 2009.
• Inaugural Meeting of The Arab Global Forum, The Arab World in a New Global Context: Challenges, Choices and Opportunities, Washington, D.C., December 7-8, 2009.

Reports of Note

“Economic Development Administration (EDA) Update mentions that as communities across the country look to establish local strengths in green energy areas such as wind industry manufacturing, many are looking overseas for new partnership opportunities. In terms of wind energy installations, the U.S. is the world’s leader.

the collapse in international investment activity collapses 2009, and that major emerging economies suffer sharp declines. At the Global Forum on Investment which took place iin Paris, December 7-8, 2009, OEDC sources asserted that investment protectionism poses a grave risk to recovery by further reducing international investment flows just at a time when these are most needed. Global challenges also require investment on a scale that far exceeds available public resources. According to arelated article, business investment is an essential part of the solution.

UNCTAD Global Investment Trends Monitor provides data demonstrating that global FDI for 2009, as a whole, is likely to remains sluggish and significantly lower than in 2008, despite gradual improvement in world business outlook.

Data

• Inquiries to date in 2009: 259
• Ombudsman cases in 2009: 19

Invest in America’s ombudsman program has achieved a number of successes in working across the federal government to address investor concerns and issues involving federal agencies. If a foreign investor has a federal-level issue that is jeopardizing an investment in the United States, please contact Invest in America at 202-482-5199 or email Invest in America at info@investamerica.gov.

We invite you to connect with us through the “Invest in America” group on Linkedin.com.

Please address all comments and suggestions to info@investamerica.gov. For more information about Invest in America, please visit our website at www.investamerica.gov.