How to order
IMF Publications

Working Papers in full text
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 All


Other research-related activities and publications of the IMF can be found at IMF Research

Free Email Notification

Receive emails when we post new items of interest to you.

Subscribe or Modify your profile



Foreign Direct Investment and Regional Trade Agreements: The Market Size Effect Revisited

Author/Editor: Jaumotte, Florence
Authorized for Distribution: November 1, 2004
Electronic Access: Free Full Text (PDF file size is 449KB)
Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file.
 
Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF. The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate.

Summary: The paper investigates whether the market size of a regional trade agreement (RTA) is a determinant of foreign direct investment (FDI) received by countries participating in the RTA. This hypothesis is tested on a sample of 71 developing countries during the period 1980-99. Evidence is found that the RTA market size had a positive impact on the FDI received by member countries, even more so in the 1990s when such agreements were revived and became more widespread. The size of domestic population also seemed to matter, possibly because of its effect on the availability of the labor supply. It appears, however, that not all countries in the RTA benefited to the same extent from the RTA: countries with a relatively more educated labor force and/or a relatively more stable financial situation tended to attract a larger share of FDI at the expense of their RTA partners. This evidence suggests it is essential for all RTA countries to improve their business environment to the best available in the region. Finally, a partial negative correlation between the FDI received by RTA countries and that received by non-RTA countries possibly reflects a diversion of FDI from non-RTA to RTA countries. As an illustration, FDI benefits are simulated from the creation of a regional trade agreement between Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.
 
Series: Working Paper No. 04/206
Subject(s): Foreign direct investment | Algeria | Morocco | Tunisia | Trade models
Author's keyword(s): Foreign direct investment | Regional trade agreements | Economic integration | Market size | Scale economies
 
English  
    Published:   November 1, 2004        
    ISBN/ISSN:   1934-7073   Format:   Paper
    Stock No:   WPIEA2062004   Pages:   31
    Price:   US$15.00
       
     
Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org.