Figures compiled by fDi Markets and released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) show that Lebanon attracted 11 Greenfield foreign direct investment projects for a total of $97.1m in 2017, relative to 10 projects worth $110.4m in 2016. The number of Greenfield projects increased by 10% year-on-year, while the amount of Greenfield FDI dropped by 12% in 2017. In comparison, Lebanon attracted seven projects in 2015 worth $74.9m, 10 projects in 2014 for a total of $1.2bn, and 16 projects in 2013 valued at $105.7m.

Globally, Lebanon was the 11th smallest recipient of Greenfield FDI in nominal terms among 129 economies with a nominal GDP of $10bn or more, and when excluding tax haven islands, as well as the fourth smallest recipient of Greenfield FDI among 16 Arab countries. Also, Lebanon attracted the 63rd lowest number of Greenfield projects globally and the fifth lowest number of projects among Arab countries last year, ahead of only Iraq (10 projects), Syria (three projects), Mauritania (two projects), and Djibouti (one project).

The FDI figures cover cross-border Greenfield projects that lead to the direct creation of jobs and capital investment. They include joint ventures when these transactions lead to a new physical Greenfield operation. The figures exclude mergers and acquisitions and other equity investments. fDi Markets is a database that tracks cross-border Greenfield investments across the world, and is owned by the Financial Times Group.

Lebanon was one of 78 countries globally and 13 Arab economies that saw a decrease in inward Greenfield FDI in 2017. Also, Lebanon was one of 69 countries worldwide that posted a double-digit decline in Greenfield FDI inflows last year. In comparison, the amount of inward Greenfield FDI projects to Arab economies decreased by 24.6% year-on-year, while Greenfield FDI to developing economies dropped by 28.7% and global Greenfield FDI regressed by 13.6%. The amount of Greenfield FDI in Lebanon accounted for 0.14% of total Greenfield FDI in Arab countries last year, nearly unchanged from 0.12% in 2016. It also represented 0.03% of total flows to developing economies and 0.01% of global Greenfield FDI in 2017. Further, the amount of Greenfield FDI in Lebanon was equivalent to 0.2% of GDP in 2017, the lowest such ratio in the Arab world.