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Taking 35 African countries as examples, based on GDELT and using sentiment analysis, spatial analysis, visualization and dynamic panel econometric model, this paper con‐ structs global attention and reputation indicators in African countries and explain foreign direct investment behavior (FDI). It is found that, in terms of time trends, there are four types of FDI curves in African countries,including high investment, rising investment, falling investment and low investment. Spatially, there are marked regional differences of FDI in Africa. The econometric model shows that FDI in African regions is influenced by global attention and reputation. Besides, the size of the influence effect of global attention is about 11. 6% of the economic development level and equivalent to the influence effect of the policy superiority. The effect size of global reputation on FDI is about 7. 54% of economic factors and about half of that of policy fac‐ tors. This paper is a macro-quantitative analysis based on big data to expand and extend the theory of FDI from the perspective of socio-cultural communication, which is a useful combination of big data and computational social science methods with traditional quantitative research methods. This paper also provides data and theoretical support for enhancing national image development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enforcement of foreign judgments has significant relevance in this era of increased international investments and commercial relations across borders. Focusing on Nigeria as the central jurisdiction of analysis, this paper takes the position that rules of private international law form an often understated yet important aspect of the governance system of a country often measured by the Ease of Doing Business (EDB) ranking of the World Bank. This paper further argues that central to opening up the economy and inviting FDI into the country, the obvious matter of the inconsistency in the application of the foreign judgment enforcement statutes ought to be settled so as to create determinacy in Nigeria's legal system – a potential attraction for foreign investors who appreciate predictability in the laws of a host country. It recommends the review and adoption of the Foreign Judgment (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1990 in order to quell the circumspection of the investor and trade participant due to uncertain legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to unravel the impact of post-pandemic COVID-19 on foreign direct investment (FDI) and its determinants in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Countries. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilized four macroeconomic variables includes growth domestic product growth rate (GDPG), inflation rate (IR), exchange rate (ER), and unemployment rate (UR) to assess their impact on post-pandemic FDI, along with two variables control of corruption (CC) and political stability (PS) to measure the influence of good governance. Random effects, fixed effects, cluster random effects, cluster fixed effects and generalized method of moments (GMM) models were applied to a balanced panel dataset comprising eight SAARC countries over the period 2010–2021. To identify the random trend component in each variable, three renowned unit root tests (Levin, Lin and Chu LLC, Im-Pesaran-Shin IPS and Augmented Dickey-Fuller ADF) were used, and co-integration associations between variables were verified through the Pedroni and Kao approaches. Data analysis was performed using STATA 17 software. Findings: The major findings revealed that the variables have an order of integration at the first difference I (1). Nonetheless, this situation suggests the possibility of a long-term link between the series. And the main results of the findings show that the coefficients of GDPG, CC and PS are positive and significant in the long run, showing that these variables boosted FDI inflows in the SAARC region as they are significantly positively linked to FDI inflows. Similarly, the coefficients of UR, IR, ER and COVID-19 are negative and significant. Practical implications: By identifying the specific impacts of the post-pandemic FDI and its determinants, governments and policymakers can formulate targeted policies and measures to mitigate the adverse effects and enhance investment attractiveness. Additionally, investors can gain a deeper understanding of the risk factors and adapt their strategies accordingly, ensuring resilience and sustainable growth. Finally, this paper adds value to the literature on the post-pandemic impact on FDI inflows in the SAARC region. Originality/value: This paper is the first attempt to trace the impact of COVID-19 on Foreign Direct Investment and its determinants in the SAARC Countries. Most of the previous studies were analytical in nature and, if empirical, excluded some countries due to the unviability of the data set. This study includes all the SAARC member countries, and all variables' data are completely available. There is still a lack of empirical studies related to the SAARC region; this study attempts to fill the gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China–Malaysia economic engagement has deepened since the 1990s. The scale and scope of this relationship has also expanded significantly following the 2013 announcement of the Belt and Road Initiative. Offering a context-rich, historically-nuanced perspective, this paper analyses how Malaysian policymakers have engaged with economic opportunities opened up by the burgeoning Chinese market. In particular, it examines how Chinese foreign direct investment has contributed to industrial upgrading trajectories in Malaysia. The paper makes two inter-related arguments. First, it uncovers a correlation between closer Chinese–Malaysian economic integration and services liberalization, which results in Malaysia's lower emphasis on manufacturing and 'proper' industrialization. In other words, structural transformation has occurred, but it is geared towards the services sector. Relatedly, Chinese investment entering Malaysia, notwithstanding its relatively recent status, is composed primarily of service industries. The services-heavy nature of Chinese investment results in a relatively modest economic multiplier effect, potentially exacerbating some societal tensions and inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign investment can mitigate the foreign exchange constraint of developing countries. It can also influence the economy's international competitiveness through appreciating or depreciating exchange rates. The exchange rate impact of domestic investment is also not straightforward and depends on some critical factors. These issues of investment often pose a policy dilemma. Against this backdrop, this paper assesses the relative impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI), domestic investment (DI), and external debt on India's real effective exchange rate and the rupee/dollar real rate for the liberalized regime for trade, investment, and exchange rates. The autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing approach to cointegration, followed by its error correction representation, finds that real exchange rate variations are associated with FDI, debt, DI, and some control variables. FDI and debt depreciate real exchange rates, indicating that these have not exacerbated the economy's international competitiveness. However, DI causes real appreciation. These findings are consistent across estimations involving alternative specifications of control variables. Offsetting impacts of FDI and DI is an interesting finding. This can stabilize the exchange rates by undermining appreciating or depreciating exchange rate trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the influence of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on foreign direct investment (FDI). By utilizing a comprehensive dataset spanning 264 Chinese cities from 2005 to 2014, we uncover a negative relationship between EPU and FDI inflows. In addition, through heterogeneity tests, we demonstrate that this effect is more pronounced in cities characterized by a higher degree of marketization, stronger financial development, and a larger proportion of industrial production. Moreover, we observe that FDI exhibits greater sensitivity to EPU fluctuations following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. To provide an explanation for these findings, we propose an open-economy model incorporating uncertainty. • We show the negative impact of rising EPU on FDI. • We use the data on province-level EPU and city-level FDI. • FDI is more sensitive to EPU in better developed cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is often conceptualized as an element of geoeconomics, whereby states wield economic influence, build alliances, and shape the global political and economic landscape in their favor. Southeast Asia is no stranger to such tussles because of its strategic location in the middle of major trade routes. In recent years, China has emerged as a prominent player in the region, apparently upending the hitherto stable environment. This paper explores Chinese FDI entering Southeast Asia, comparing it to three more mature investors: Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The similarities and differences between these four providers are illustrated through an analysis of their FDI patterns over the last 10–20 years. Two interrelated arguments are posited. Firstly, Chinese FDI is considerably “smaller” than popular rhetoric suggests. Secondly, Chinese FDI entering the region focuses mainly on tertiary industries such as real estate and general business services, unlike the manufacturing-heavy nature of Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese FDI. Because of the rather distinct characteristics of these four FDI sources, it can be inferred that there has been relatively little direct competition between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to analyse the impact of taxation policies in African countries on Moroccan foreign direct investment (FDI) using panel data from 29 African countries spanning the period 2005–2021, employing the Estimated Generalized Least Squares estimation method. The findings suggest that high total tax, profit tax, and other tax rates deter Moroccan multinational enterprises (MNEs) from investing in African countries. Conversely, fiscal incentives and reduced tax rates positively influence Moroccan FDI in African countries. Additionally, the results indicate that a high score for tax payment and tax rates positively influences Moroccan FDI in African countries, implying that high-quality taxation policies encourage Moroccan MNEs to invest in African economies. Furthermore, the study finds that the GDP of African economies positively moderates the effect of taxation on Moroccan FDI behaviour. This suggests that the larger the market size of a country, the less severe the negative impact of taxation on FDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Part of UN sustainable development goal 9 is upgrading production capabilities. • Increasing economic complexity is a key driver for sustainable economic growth. • Sequential model selection used for robust generalised method of moments estimation. • Chinese FDI evidently shows a positive impact on host countries' economic complexity. • Global policy makers should deepen their relationships with the belt and road. Upgrading the production capabilities in all countries is a target of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goal 9. Increasing economic complexity, that is, a country's ability to manufacture more sophisticated products and thus moving up the value chain, is a key driver for sustainable economic growth. This paper investigates whether Chinese Belt and Road investments have impacted the economic complexity of host countries — a topic not addressed in the literature to date, using a sequential generalised method of moments model selection approach. The research focuses on the countries whose economic complexities are below that of China. Our empirical results show significant positive effects of Chinese investments on such host countries' economic complexities. The inflows of Chinese investments have thus supported the upgrading of production capabilities in these countries. This is encouraging, especially for the Global South countries, to intensify their interactions with the Belt and Road initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn the past three decades, Cuba has extended opportunities for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) to establish operations within its predominantly centrally planned economy. Many MNEs have seized this opportunity and established their presence in Cuba, resulting in FDI inflows reaching up to 2 per cent of GDP in certain years. In our paper, we aim to assess the impact of MNEs’ activity on local companies, with a specific focus on productivity spillover effects. Additionally, we analyze how institutional factors influence the strength of these effects. Our data collection involved conducting questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with MNEs operating in Cuba and experts on the Cuban economy. Our findings reveal that MNEs introduce new technology and knowledge to Cuba, thereby positively influencing the local development. We have confirmed the existence of vertical spillover effects, as certain MNEs provide direct assistance to local companies with whom they collaborate. The extent of these spillover effects is heavily contingent on Cuba’s institutional framework. Local regulations mandate that MNEs cooperate with local companies for various operations, such as expanding product distribution across the country, thus amplifying the impact. Conversely, spillover effects through labor mobility are limited, as there is a low rate of transition from MNEs to local companies among the local workforce. Stringent legal constraints further hinder interaction between MNEs and the Cuban private sector, thereby limiting the broader spillover effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: Unemployment is a huge topic for policymakers, scholars, and, in general, society. Historically, there have always been a lot of discussions about this phenomenon. It is already acknowledged that unemployment is closely related to economic activity: when the economy is growing, more people are employed, and when economic activity is low, employment decreases, and unemployment rises. This relation is well-researched in the framework of Okun's law. However, it is far less known how this relationship holds if international economic relations are introduced. Thus, the motivation for the research was to examine the role of international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) on the growthunemployment nexus. Purpose of the article: To assess how trade and FDI affect growth and gender-, age-, and educational attainment level-specific unemployment relationship and on what scale this effect varies over different business cycle phases. Methods: Scientific literature review, comparative analysis, and panel regression. Findings & value added: Given the lack of research examining what effect FDI and trade have on the growth-unemployment nexus, this paper estimates modified Okun's equation on the European Union (EU) countries (EU-28, by the composition of the EU until 31/01/2020) for the period from 2000 to 2019 while incorporating international aspects that can have an impact on this nexus. Also, this study develops a specification that can be useful to monitor the potentially different effects of FDI and trade on the growth-unemployment nexus during different business cycle phases. The estimations of the panel regression for unemployment disaggregated by age, gender and education level has showed that import, export, inward FDI, and outward FDI have a negative effect on the growth-unemployment nexus. It means that with an increase in the intensity of international economic relations, the influence of gross domestic product (GDP) growth on unemployment becomes less significant. Thus, the effectiveness of expansionary fiscal policy to reduce unemployment becomes less effective in more open economies, which in the case of the EU are the smallest member states with relatively small domestic markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine how foreign direct investment inflows in agriculture affect the agricultural exports of developing countries. The main objective of our analysis is to identify and quantify the export effects of foreign direct investment in the sector, as well as the effects of other relevant export determinants, and to explore the possible long-run relationship between the variables. Using panel data on 80 developing countries observed in the period 2005-2017, we employ the system-generalised method of moments and the method of quasi-maximum likelihood to estimate a dynamic agricultural exports model. Additionally, we test for the cointegration between exports and foreign direct investment using the Pedroni and Kao approaches. We find that foreign direct investment inflows have a positive impact on agricultural exports in the analysed countries in both the short run and the long run. Thereby, we identified the significance of both direct and spillover export effects. This implies that the liberalisation and promotion of foreign investment in agriculture could alleviate the problems of capital scarcity and constraints in developing countries and increase their agricultural export competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effect of official visits by U.S. Presidents and Secretaries of State on foreign direct investment inflows. The key difficulty in determining a causal effect is the issue of endogeneity. To address potential endogeneity, we use the Endogenous Treatment model (ETM). The estimation results provide evidence that the official visits of U.S. Presidents have a statistically significant positive effect on both foreign investment inflows from the U.S. and on total foreign direct investment inflows. This is robust even after the inclusion of other control variables identified by the literature as confounding factors for foreign direct investment. When we examine the effect of different types of visits, the results show that bilateral meetings during the official visits of U.S. Presidents have a statistically significant positive effect on both foreign investment inflows from the U.S. and total foreign direct investment. These results imply that the visits of U.S. Presidents offer a signal of the confidence of American administrations in the host country, which may in turn encourage American and non-American firms to invest in that country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the case of marriage migration into the debate on the intra-Asian circuit of capital flow, human mobilities and urban and regional development. While intra-Asian marriage migration lies at the intersection of governmental policy, increased capital flow and human mobilities, it has been absent from the discussion on capital flows within the global East. Employing ethnographic research methods, we explain how Vietnamese marriage migrants in South Korea and their Korean husbands restyled their remittances to invest in land and businesses in hometowns, the Mekong Delta area and big cities through transnational marriage networks. Explanations for what caused marriage migrants' position to evolve include a discussion of macro-politics of political and economic reforms in South Korea and Vietnam and the micro-politics of transnational networks. By demonstrating the roles of transnational marriage networks, this research contributes to the debates on migration-developmentmobility circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the complex interplay between carbon dioxide emissions, population dynamics, migration patterns, foreign direct investment, and gross domestic product in Vietnam. The paper uses the unrestricted fixed and random panel data method. The data is collected from the World Bank and Vietnam General Office of Statistics. This study employs a multidimensional analytical framework in the country's rapid economic growth context, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to unravel the nuanced relationships within this nexus. The main finding of this study reveals significant correlations between carbon dioxide emissions, population, migration, FDI- foreign direct investment inflows, and GDP- gross domestic product growth, highlighting the pivotal role of these factors in shaping Vietnam's economic landscape. The study draws on comprehensive datasets spanning multiple years. The research reveals significant correlations, notably the positive link between foreign direct investment inflows and gross domestic product growth. Simultaneously, the study sheds light on the environmental challenges associated with urbanization and the socioeconomic impacts of internal migration. The findings of this paper contribute to the theoretical understanding of these interconnected factors, emphasizing the need for an integrated policy approach. Policy recommendations include sustainable urban development strategies, sector-specific foreign direct investment initiatives, and inclusive migration policies. Additionally, fostering green technologies, community engagement, and international collaborations are proposed to advance Vietnam's sustainable development goals. This research is a foundation for policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders, offering actionable insights to guide Vietnam toward a balanced and resilient future. The study's methodology, findings, and policy implications contribute to the academic discourse on sustainable development and provide remarkable guidance for navigating the complexities of economic growth and environmental stewardship in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foreign direct investment benefits developing countries. However, concerns have arisen that the influx of FDI potentially exacerbates environmental pollution. While this debate continues, growing attention has recently emerged on the role of institutions in mitigating FDI's potential damages, although the empirical findings remain inconclusive. This paper examines how institutional quality shapes the relationship between FDI and CO 2 , both at the aggregate level and across different income groupings, using a reduced-form CO 2 emissions model, panel data from 2000 to 2018 and the IVGMM techniques. Three key conclusions emerge. First, the findings show that FDI reduces CO 2 emissions, but its magnitude depends on the measure used. Second, institutional quality is directly associated with higher emissions across income groups, suggesting current regulations inadequately ameliorate environmental pollution. Third, we find a positive interaction effect between CO 2 emissions and institutional quality. We argue that, for FDI to consistently curb CO 2 emissions, the quality of institutions must improve to better regulate foreign investors' activities, especially in low and high-income nations. Enhancing the quality of institutions will help translate FDI into improved environmental outcomes across income groups. • This study investigates how institutional quality shapes the relationship between FDI and CO 2 emissions. • The findings indicate that institutional quality inadequately ameliorates CO 2 emissions. • The findings show a positive interaction effect between CO 2 emissions and institutional quality. • To ensure FDI reduces CO 2 emissions, institutions must regulate foreign investors' activities in both low and high-income nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]