Shanghai’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in September surged 44.6% from a year earlier to USD2.7 billion. “Shanghai continues to stand at the frontline of attracting foreign investment,” said Xue Jun, Analyst with CITIC Securities Co. “With the boost from projects in the pilot free trade zone and the Disneyland park, Shanghai has seen a big increase in its foreign direct investment last month.” Comparatively, China’s inbound foreign investment rose just 1.9% last month. In the first three quarters, Shanghai drew USD15.2 billion in foreign investment, up 12.9% year-on-year. In the same period, the country’s FDI fell 1.4%. As Shanghai aims to build itself into a global financial and shipping hub, the city’s services sector recorded a 132% surge in FDI of USD2.5 billion in September. The manufacturing sector drew USD284 million in investment, up 20.5%. Shanghai’s pilot free trade zone (FTZ) has also become attractive to foreign investors after operating for a year. As of mid-September, 1,677 foreign-funded companies were set up in the FTZ, accounting for nearly half of the city’s total.