EU investment activity in the BRIC countries decreased noticeably from 2001 (EUR 64 bn), which was the peak period, to EUR 9 bn in 2002. In the next two years EU FDI outflows recorded significant growth, standing at EUR 27 bn in 2004 and remaining at relatively stable levels in 2005 (EUR 25 bn). The decline of EU outward flows to the BRIC countries is in line with the significant decreases in E…