A evolução do investimento directo estrangeiro em/de Portugal

The present work essentially intends to proceed to a characterization of the main flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) that structuralize the Portuguese economy. Initially, it is proceeded one brief historical retrospect, since the middles of century XIX until the accession of Portugal in the EEC, fact of extreme importance in the analysis of the FDI flows. Next, it is presented an analysis of the evolution of the FDI flows in/of Portugal in the period understood between 1996 and 2002. For the same period, it is made the characterization of the FDI flows, namely in relation to the sectors distribution and the geographic orientation of the flows. Finally, it is proceeded one brief reflection on the impact of FDI in our economy