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Do regional trade agreements stimulate FDI? Evidence for the Agadir, MERCOSUR and AFTA regions

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  • Mondher Cherif
  • Christian Dreger

Abstract

The integration of emerging markets into the global economy is heavily promoted by foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. Among the factors explaining the location of FDI, regional trade agreements (RTAs) can be relevant for emerging markets, as they can promote economic integration and increase the attractiveness of the region for foreign investors. This paper investigates the impact of South–South trade agreements on the FDI decision of multinationals, where the Agadir, mercado comun del sur (MERCOSUR), and ASEAN free trade area (AFTA) agreements are considered. Three panels of countries are defined, where the members joined a specific agreement or not. Non‐Gulf Arab states are compared to better performing regions in Latin America and Southern and Eastern Asia. The analysis provides evidence that openness to foreign trade and financial markets are among the main catalysts to attract FDI, provided that business‐friendly institutions exist in the host country. Other variables, like the size of the industrial sector, urbanization rates, and external debt appear to be important in some cases. The integration of China into the world economy is a specific trigger for FDI to Asian destinations. Since RTAs influence the market size by reducing barriers to trade, their impact operates via GDP growth and openness. Gains from the agreement are striking for Latin America and Asia, but not for Arab states. To attract more FDI, business‐friendly institutional reforms and mechanisms to support new firm foundation should be implemented in this region.

Suggested Citation

  • Mondher Cherif & Christian Dreger, 2018. "Do regional trade agreements stimulate FDI? Evidence for the Agadir, MERCOSUR and AFTA regions," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(3), pages 1263-1277, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:rdevec:v:22:y:2018:i:3:p:1263-1277
    DOI: 10.1111/rode.12381
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    Cited by:

    1. Salucknai Outtanasith & Khaysy Srithilat, 2022. "The Impact of AFTA on Trade Openness, and Foreign Direct Investment: The Empirical Evidence from Lao PDR," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 16(1), pages 142-152.
    2. Adolfo Maza & Paula Gutiérrez-Portilla, 2022. "Outward FDI and exports relation: A heterogeneous panel approach dealing with cross-sectional dependence," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 170, pages 174-189.
    3. Jonas Gamso & Robert Grosse, 2021. "Trade agreement depth, foreign direct investment, and the moderating role of property rights," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 4(2), pages 308-325, June.
    4. Mehmet Pinar & Thanasis Stengos, 2021. "Democracy in the neighborhood and foreign direct investment," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(1), pages 449-477, February.
    5. Narayan, Paresh Kumar & Rath, Badri Narayan & Syarifuddin, Ferry, 2022. "Understanding the role of trade agreements in Indonesia’s FDI," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    6. Morgan, Stephen & Farris, Jarrad & Johnson, Michael E., 2022. "Foreign Direct Investment in Africa: Recent Trends Leading up to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)," USDA Miscellaneous 329077, United States Department of Agriculture.
    7. Yilmaz BAYAR & Mahmut Unsal SASMAZ, 2019. "Foreign borrowing, foreign direct investment inflows and economic growth in European Union transition economies," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 10, pages 107-125, December.

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