Nations and bilateral donors could direct their technical assistance. Such country studies undertaken by the Commission could be a positive step to ensure that developing countries reaped the maximum benefit from the investment activities o[ transnational corporations. 6. All delegations speaking on the subject recognized the potential of positive contributions that transnational corporations could make to world development and -12-to a further integration of the world economy. Many delegations noted the rapidly changing attitudes and policies of developing countries towards transnational c?r~orations and foreign direct investment. Past hostility and wariness were g1v1ng way to more open policies aimed at attracting foreign direct investment inflows. Many developing country delegations stated that those countries favoured the activities of transnational corporations provided that they were beneficial to the host countries. 1. Many delegations noted with concern the falling share of world-wide foreign direct investment flows going to developing countries in the latter part of the 1980s, despite the widespread enactment of foreign direct investment policies in host countries aimed at liberalizing and encouraging such investments. In that context, it was noted that the failure of developing countries to have wide access to capital and technology would have negative implications for the stability and growth of the world economic system as a whole, developed countries included. Several delegations observed that absolute levels of foreign direct investment inflows were more relevant indicators than the share of total investment. Since the absolute levels had been growing in recent years in developing countries, the outlook regarding foreign direct investment into those countries appeared to be brighter than many delegations had indicated. Some delegations observed that macro-economic conditions were more important than specific foreign direct investment policies in attracting new foreign direct investment inflows, and highlighted the need to find solutions to the current debt crisis as a means of 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the relationship between transnational corporations and developing countries, with a focus on foreign direct investment, economic development, and the potential benefits and challenges that come with it. The language used is formal and technical, suggesting a policy or economic context.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade