FDI
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an investment from a party in one country into a business
or corporation in another country with the intention of establishing a lasting interest. Lasting
interest differentiates FDI from foreign portfolio investments, where investors passively hold
securities from a foreign country. A foreign direct investment can be made by obtaining a lasting
interest or by expanding one’s business into a foreign country.
• Advantages of Foreign Direct Investment:
1. Economic Development Stimulation:
Foreign direct investment can stimulate the target country’s economic development, creating a more
conducive environment for you as the investor and benefits for the local industry.
2. Easy International Trade:
Commonly, a country has its own import tariff, and this is one of the reasons why trading with it is
quite difficult. Also, there are industries that usually require their presence in the international markets
to ensure their sales and goals will be completely met. With FDI, all these will be made easier.
3. Employment and Economic Boost:
Foreign direct investment creates new jobs, as investors build new companies in the target country,
create new opportunities. This leads to an increase in income and more buying power to the people,
which in turn leads to an economic boost.
4. Development of Human Capital Resources:
One big advantage brought about by FDI is the development of human capital resources, which is also
often understated as it is not immediately apparent. Human capital is the competence and knowledge
of those able to perform labor, more known to us as the workforce. The attributes gained by training
and sharing experience would increase the education and overall human capital of a country. Its
resource is not a tangible asset that is owned by companies, but instead something that is on loan.
With this in mind, a country with FDI can benefit greatly by developing its human resources while
maintaining ownership.
5. Tax Incentives:
Parent enterprises would also provide foreign direct investment to get additional expertise, technology
and products. As the foreign investor, you can receive tax incentives that will be highly useful in your
selected field of business.
6. Resource Transfer:
Foreign direct investment will allow resource transfer and other exchanges of knowledge, where
various countries are given access to new technologies and skills.
• Disadvantages of Foreign Direct Investment:
1. Hindrance to Domestic Investment :
As it focuses its resources elsewhere other than the investor’s home country, foreign direct investment
can sometimes hinder domestic investment.
2. Risk from Political Changes :
Because political issues in other countries can instantly change, foreign direct investment is very risky.
Plus, most of the risk factors that you are going to experience are extremely high.
3. Negative Influence on Exchange Rates:
Foreign direct investments can occasionally affect exchange rates to the advantage of one country and
the detriment of another.
4. Higher Costs:
If you invest in some foreign countries, you might notice that it is more expensive than when you
export goods. So, it is very imperative to prepare sufficient money to set up your operations.
5. Economic Non-Viability :
Considering that foreign direct investments may be capital-intensive from the point of view of the
investor, it can sometimes be very risky or economically non-viable.
6. Expropriation :
Remember that political changes can also lead to expropriation, which is a scenario where the
government will have control over your property and assets.
