Search

Begin New Search Topic Foreign Direct Investment Publication Year within 25 Years

311. On the Current Links Capital Markets and Investment in MENA Countries

Author:
Randa Alami
Publication Date:
03-2009
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
School of Oriental and African Studies - University of London
Abstract:
This paper considers the current status of some Middle Eastern markets (Arab countries excluding the Gulf countries). These markets have matured significantly over the last six years, and this helped the concurrent strong economic and investment growth. Evidence gathered here indicates the markets have become a minor source of corporate investment, mobilising both domestic and foreign investors. It allowed them to capture both part of the surge in intra-regional capital flows, and part of rising Foreign Direct Investment. A more enhanced economic impact is constrained by their nascent nature, their volatility and illiquidity, and by what remain poor governance structures. Moreover, these Arab stock markets are still the realm of very large corporations: they have only began to address the needs of smaller entreprises, with venture capital and private equity funds at an embryonic stage. They also support a limited number of economic sectors, while governments and top income elites continue to dominate shareholding. They cannot and should not be relied upon to fulfil all the financing needs of the private sector. This message has been reinforced by the current world crisis, which ended the euphoric but unrealistic expectations that regional capital markets will continue to expand as rapidly as they did between 2002 and 2008.
Topic:
Markets, Foreign Direct Investment, Capitalism, Economic growth, Investment, and Corporations
Political Geography:
Middle East

312. Assessing Infrastructure Constraints on Business Activity in Kisumu, Kenya

Author:
Jacob Winiecki
Publication Date:
10-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Abstract:
The success of commercial activities in any city depends in great part upon the quality of infrastructure services available to businesses including (but not limited to) reliable electricity and liquid fuel supplies to power engines, sufficient supplies of clean water for irrigation and industrial processes, and reliable roads for obtaining raw materials and transporting finished goods in a timely and cost efficient manner. Poor quality infrastructure can drive up the cost of doing business and constrain economic growth in any city.
Topic:
Development, Infrastructure, and Foreign Direct Investment
Political Geography:
Kenya and Africa

313. Sugar in Kisumu,kenya

Publication Date:
11-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Abstract:
An investor, seeking to financially benefit from producing sugar as a commodity in Kisumu, Kenya, needs to consider the entire investment environment before making a decision. Since Kenya is a net importer of sugar, domestic demand cannot be satisfied by domestic production, which creates a potential opportunity for an investor looking to bridge the gap. As a result, an opportunity may exist for an investor who wants to play a significant role in the future of the industry. Sugar, produced as a commodity within Kisumu, may have the ability to compete on a global scale if time, investment, and governmental support align.
Topic:
Agriculture, Development, Globalization, Markets, and Foreign Direct Investment
Political Geography:
Kenya and Africa

314. Post-Conflict Countries and Foreign Investment

Author:
Vesselin Popovski, Nicholas Turner, and Obijiofor Aginam
Publication Date:
11-2008
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
It has become increasingly clear that economic development and poverty reduction can significantly reduce the incidence of conflict. This is of particular importance for countries recovering from violent conflicts, considering they are often among the poorest even compared with other developing countries, and are extremely vulnerable to slipping back into violence.
Topic:
Conflict Prevention, Development, Third World, Foreign Aid, Infrastructure, and Foreign Direct Investment

315. The FDI recession has begun

Author:
Karl P. Sauvant
Publication Date:
11-2008
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Abstract:
With $1.8 trillion (according to UNCTAD), world foreign direct investment (FDI) flows reached an all-time high last year. All major regions benefitted from increased flows. But that was then. What is, and will be, the impact of the financial crisis and the recession on FDI flows this year and next?
Topic:
Development, Economics, International Trade and Finance, Foreign Direct Investment, and Financial Crisis

316. Uncovering Dynamics in the Accumulation of Technological Capabilities and Skills in the Mozambican Manufacturing Sector

Author:
Alex Warren-Rodriguez
Publication Date:
03-2008
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
School of Oriental and African Studies - University of London
Abstract:
This paper examines the formation and accumulation of skills and technological capabilities in the Mozambican manufacturing sector. To this effect, it deploys Sanjaya Lall’s technology capabilities conceptual and methodological framework to examine these issues for the Mozambican metalworking and light chemical sectors in the context of historical dynamics taking place in Mozambique in the economic and industrial policy spheres. This analysis shows that these two industries are experiencing a process of gradual technological obsolescence, combined with a progressive simplification of production processes that is leading to a weakening of their technology capability and skill base. In this context, neither foreign direct investment, nor other mechanisms of technology transfer identified in the literature as contributing to the process of technological and skills accumulation, appear to have been able to reverse these trends. In light of available evidence on recent industrial (policy) developments, this paper argues that this process can be seen as a response to a deteriorating policy and economic environment that in the past two decades has undermined investments in industrial technological development in Mozambique.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Foreign Direct Investment, Manufacturing, and Industrialization
Political Geography:
Africa, Mozambique, and Sub-Saharan Africa

317. Speed of Convergence and Relocation: New EU Member Countries Catching up with the Old

Author:
Kari E. O. Alho, Ville Kaitili, and Mike Widgrén
Publication Date:
04-2005
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Centre for European Policy Studies
Abstract:
Economic convergence of the EU's new member countries (NMCs) towards the incumbent EU countries (EU-15) is of paramount importance for both partners, not only in terms of real income but also in nominal terms. In this study we build a dynamic, computable general equilibrium model, starting from the Balassa-Samuelson two-sector framework, then modify and enlarge it (with, among other things, endogenous capital formation, consumption behaviour and labour mobility) to address several other issues such as uncertainty, welfare and sustainability in terms of foreign indebtedness. At the same time we make flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) endogenous in order to evaluate the impact convergence has on the EU-15 and the inter action between the two regions through FDI. We find that in a general equilibrium setting, fears of adverse effects resulting from a relocation of EU-15 manufacturing to the NMCs are not well founded.
Topic:
International Relations, Development, Economics, and Foreign Direct Investment
Political Geography:
Europe

318. Transforming Competitiveness in European Transition Economies: The Role of Foreign Direct Investment

Author:
Jasminka Sohinger
Publication Date:
05-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute of European Studies
Abstract:
Foreign direct investment (FDI) has become one of the main drivers of globalization and integration of the European transition economies into the world economy, especially the European Union. Its growth enhancing capacity has played a significant role in transforming their competitiveness, both locally and on international markets, and its propensity to stimulate institution buliding is changing both economic and political landscapes in the region. The economic conditionality of FDI and the EU access-driven reforms are working hand in hand in helping the goals of transition and the convergence process. The achievement of both goals is seen as the best guarantor of peace and security in the region.
Topic:
Security, Economics, Emerging Markets, Globalization, International Trade and Finance, and Foreign Direct Investment
Political Geography:
Europe

319. Popular Attitudes, Globalization, and Risk

Author:
Marcus Noland
Publication Date:
07-2004
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Abstract:
Popular opposition to globalization may be interpreted as xenophobia or hostility to market economics and signal country risk, including the degree of security risk—the possibility that local staff or facilities could be subject to discriminatory treatment, harassment, or attack. This paper integrates the Pew Global Attitudes data into a series of economic models on foreign direct investment (FDI), sovereign ratings, and local entrepreneurship and finds that some responses correlate with economic variables of interest, conveying information beyond what can be explained through standard models. More tolerant countries attract more FDI, obtain better ratings, and exhibit more entrepreneurship.
Topic:
Economics, Globalization, Politics, and Foreign Direct Investment