(CPV) – Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam reached USD8.03 billion in the first seven months of 2012, only 67% of the total of the same period last year, reported the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

By July 20, the country had 584 licensed FDI projects with a total capital of USD5.2 billion, only 60% of the total of the same period last year. 231 projects registered to increase their capitals by USD2.83 billion, a year-on-year rise of 5.2 percent.

So far this year, disbursement of FDI projects posted USD6.25 billion, as much as 99.2 percent of that of the same period last year, reported FIA.

According to FIA, the processing industry attracted most attention of foreign investors, followed by real estate, wholesale trade and retail and transport. Japan continued to lead amongst countries and territories investing in Vietnam with a total capital of USD4.29 billion. The followings were Samoa with more than USD889 million and the Republic of Korea./.