The level of net outward FDI flows (on BoP basis), however, recorded a sharp uptrend at $ 74.3 billion during the second half of 2000s (2005–06 to 2009–10) as compared to $ 8.2 billion in the first half of 2000s (2000–01 to 2004–05).
This allows countries to let automatic stabilisers function if they are affected by economic shocks. The budget deficit of a Member State is, under normal cyclical circumstances, not allowed to exceed 3% of GDP.