China's ODI outshines FDI

An ODI, or Outward Direct Investment, refers to all those investments made by a company, organisation or an economy towards foreign expansion of services and products.

This is usually when the domestic market in the country reaches a point of saturation.

Organisations and economies also look at this form of investment to better their growth and future business prospects outside the country.

Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) are those that are made by a foreign country or a firm into another country, enabling them to exercise partial ownership control through the investment.

These investments are mostly made by multi-national companies or large economies.

This will help the foreign promoter to gain access to newer markets, set up enterprises within the other country, and also help reduce costs.

China, the second largest economy in the world, saw itself being touted as a net capital exporter, when its Outward Direct Investment (ODI) surpassed its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) levels.

During the first seven months this year, China's ODI peaked to touch $102.75 billion, surpassing the nation's Foreign Direct Investments.

The ODI levels in July alone touched $13.89 billion.

During the first seven months this year, China's ODI spike was majorly attributed to its growth in mergers and acquisitions.

The country's mergers and acquisitions for this period stood at $54.3 billion, contributing to over half of the ODI numbers.

The United States and Germany accounted to be the top investment destinations for China, with ODI's to both countries more than doubling this year.