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Multinational enterprises, financial centres and their implications for external imbalances: a euro area perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Di Nino, Virginia
  • Habib, Maurizio Michael
  • Schmitz, Martin

Abstract

This article analyses how the operations of large multinational enterprises (MNEs) affect the external account of the euro area and, in general, financial centres. The increased ease of moving intangible assets, profits and headquarters across borders poses challenges to the current framework of international statistics and economic analysis. First, the article shows how MNE operations are recorded in cross-border statistics, as well as the challenges in measuring such data. Second, the article highlights evidence of the impact that MNEs have on the external account of the euro area – this is most evident in current account balances and foreign direct investment in euro area financial centres, often involving special-purpose entities (SPEs). Third, the article looks at the tendency of financial centres to report current account surpluses that may be tentatively attributed, in part, to the activity of MNEs. Multilateral initiatives could help to improve the transparency of MNE operations and ensure an exchange of information across borders for tax and statistical purposes. JEL Classification: F21, F23, F3

Suggested Citation

  • Di Nino, Virginia & Habib, Maurizio Michael & Schmitz, Martin, 2020. "Multinational enterprises, financial centres and their implications for external imbalances: a euro area perspective," Economic Bulletin Articles, European Central Bank, vol. 2.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecb:ecbart:2020:0002:1
    Note: 334027
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Agustín Bénétrix & André Sanchez, 2023. "Corporate Taxation and International Financial Integration: U.S. evidence from a consolidated perspective," Oxford Open Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 2, pages 47-66.
    2. Malin Andersson & Nina Blatnik & Stephen Byrne & Lorenz Emter & Valerie Jarvis & Belén Gonzalez Pardo & Martin Schmitz & Nico Zorell & Christoph Zwick, 2024. "Intangible assets of multinational enterprises in Ireland and their impact on euro area activity," IFC Bulletins chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), External statistics in a fragmented and uncertain world, volume 62, Bank for International Settlements.
    3. Roland Beck & Antonio Coppola & Angus Lewis & Matteo Maggiori & Martin Schmitz & Jesse Schreger, 2024. "The geography of capital allocation in the euro area," IFC Bulletins chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), External statistics in a fragmented and uncertain world, volume 62, Bank for International Settlements.
    4. Joana Andrade Vicente, 2021. "Tax us, if you can: a game theoretic approach to profit shifting within the European Union," Working Papers REM 2021/0206, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, REM, Universidade de Lisboa.
    5. Sanchez Pacheco, André, 2022. "A consolidated-by-nationality approach to Irish foreign exposure," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 235-247.
    6. Lucia Granelli & Martin Habet & Guergana Stanoeva & Gaetano D’Adamo & Robert Gampfer, 2020. "Puzzles in Non-Financial Corporate Sector Savings across the G20," European Economy - Economic Briefs 063, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    7. Valerio Della Corte & Claire Giordano, 2021. "Methodological issues in the estimation of current account imbalances," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 617, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Balance of Payments; financial centres; Multinationals; profit shifting;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • F3 - International Economics - - International Finance

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