Foreign Investment Rises 9.7% in Mexico in 2011

Reaching $19.44 billion, foreign direct investment in Mexico rose 9.7% in 2011,the economy department said Feb. 20.

The United States, Mexico's main economic partner, was the top foreign investor, contributing 55% of the total.

It was followed by Spain, at 15%, The Netherlands at 6.7% and Switzerland at 6.3%.

Most of the investment went into manufacturing, at 44.1%. Financial services received 18 percent and commerce 9.5%.

In 2010, Mexico received $17.72 billion in foreign investment, an increase of 16.6% on the previous year.

Mexico's economy grew 3.9% in 2011 and is predicted to grow between 3.5% and 4% in 2012.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2012