Foreign direct investment is of growing importance to global economic growth. This is especially important for developing and emerging market countries. FDI from investors in developed areas like the European Union and the U.S. provide funding and expertise to help smaller companies in these emerging markets to expand and increase international sales. In 2012, these emerging markets became the greatest beneficiary of FDI. Inflows exceeded those to developed countries by $130 billion. The developed world also receives its fair share of cross-border investment, but of a different nature. Most of this was mergers and acquisitions between mature companies. These already-global corporations are engaged in restructuring or refocusing on core businesses. However, it gets recorded as FDI. This type of investment is more about maintenance, and less about making great strides in economic growth.