October 2004
Article
Journal of International Economics

FDI and Economic Growth: The Role of Local Financial Markets

By: Laura Alfaro, Areendam Chanda, Sebnem Kalemli-Ozcan and Selin Sayek

Format:Print

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the various links among foreign direct investment, financial markets and growth. We model an economy with a continuum of agents indexed by their level of ability. Agents have two choices: they can work for the foreign company in the FDI sector and use their wealth to earn a return or they can choose to undertake entrepreneurial activities, which are subject to a fixed cost. Better financial markets allow agents in the economy to take advantage of knowledge spillovers from FDI. The empirical evidence suggests that FDI plays an important role in contributing to economic growth. However, the level development of local financial markets is crucial for these positive effects to be realized.

Keywords

Foreign Direct Investment; Financial Markets; Economic Growth; Cost; Wealth; Investment Return; Knowledge

Citation

Alfaro, Laura, Areendam Chanda, Sebnem Kalemli-Ozcan, and Selin Sayek. "FDI and Economic Growth: The Role of Local Financial Markets." Journal of International Economics 64, no. 1 (October 2004): 89–112.