UPDATE 1-Mexico sees $20 bln 2008 foreign direct investment

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MEXICO CITY, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Mexico expects $20 billion in foreign direct investment this year, Economy Minister Eduardo Sojo told Reuters on Thursday, down from an estimated $23 billion in 2007.

Foreign direct investment in Mexico totaled $18.4 billion in the first nine months of 2007, up 30.3 percent from the same period a year ago, the government said in November.

"We are still estimating what it is going to be ... but it would be around $20 billion," Sojo said of the 2008 forecast.

Mexico's economy ministry oversees trade and investment. The finance ministry is in charge of the economy.

(Reporting by Cyntia Barrera Diaz; Editing by Diane Craft)