The downward trend in foreign investment (DFI) that has been in place since 2001 appears to have taken an upward turn recently. Last year, DFI in the Dominican Republic increased by US$153 million, a 49% jump over 2003. In round numbers, DFI in 2003 was US$309 million and in 2004 the investment was US$463 million. Still, this is less than half of the US$1.07 billion invested in the DR in 2001. The United States, Spain, and Canada are the leading investors. The report was presented by Jose Luis Machinea, an officer with the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC). The investment in the Dominican Republic was directed mostly to the service sector (94%). Machinea pointed out that China is attracting so much foreign investment that it is draining investments from Latin America.