Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ireland almost trebled between 1998 and 2001 according to new figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The data, which provides yet more evidence of the huge level of foreign investment enjoyed during the boom years of the Celtic Tiger, show FDI in Ireland rose from €53.3 billion in 1998 to €156.8 billion in 2001
The figures, collated for the first time by the CSO, detail Ireland's International Investment Position (IIP) or in other words the economy's overall stock of foreign assets and liabilities.
They show that Ireland 's overall stocks of foreign assets, investments abroad by Irish resident corporates and individuals, have increased substantially from €363.7 billion in 1998 to €829.7 billion in 2001.
Direct investment abroad by Irish companies and individuals more than doubled during the period, rising from €17.3 billion to €38.2 billion.
While the total stocks of foreign liabilities, which includes foreign investment, rose from €333.4 billion in 1998 to €841.8 billion in 2001.
Portfolio investment in Ireland, of which IFSC enterprises accounted for the bulk, rose from €130.8 billion in 1998 to €414.2 billion during the period.
A spokesman for the CSO told ireland.comthe figures dramatically illustrated "the attractiveness of Ireland" for foreign investment during the period.
