Foreign direct investment in China grew at its slowest pace this year in June as a weak global economy reduced investor interest, the Wall Street Journal reported, quoting data released by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday. Actual FDI rose 2.83% in June from a year earlier to US$12.86 billion, down from a 13.43% rise in May, when FDI totaled US$9.225 billion, the data showed. At a news conference, MOFCOM spokesman Yao Jian said that slower growth in investment from the US and the EU contributed to the slowdown in June, but that FDI also fluctuates sometimes due to larger projects. “China’s overall investment environment hasn’t changed,” said Yao. China’s antimonopoly bureau is currently considering an application from Swiss food group Nestle SA (NESN.VTX) to acquire Chinese candy maker Hsu Fu International (AS5.SIN), added Yao. If approved, the deal would represent one of the largest foreign investments in a Chinese firm in recent years.
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