Direct foreign investment in Bulgaria amounted to 2.366 bln euros in H1 (851.8 mln euros in Q1 and 1.514 bln euros in Q2), shows preliminary data released by Bulgarian National Bank.

In 2006 direct investment in Bulgaria stood at 4.364 bln euros, versus 3.103 bln euros in 2005.

The biggest part of investment to Bulgaria in H1 came from Great Britain and Austria – 365.3 mln euros and 289.5 mln euros, respectively. Next are Luxembourg with 244 mln euros and Spain with 211 mln euros.

Five other countries have invested more than 100 mln euros. These are Cyprus (146.9 mln euros), Germany (125 mln euros), USA (115.5 mln euros), The Netherlands (109 mln euros) and Ireland (105.4 mln euros). Greece (93.3 mln euros) is also in top 10.

A total of 861.8 mln euros was invested in the area of real estate sector and business services, 430.3 mln euros in financial intermediation, and 303.4 mln euros in construction.

Other sectors attracting foreign investment are trade, automobile repairs and maintenance, as well as telecommunications and the manufacturing industry.