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Outward FDI by Singapore: a different animal?

Author

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  • Ellingsen, Gaute
  • Likumahuwa, Winfried
  • Nunnenkamp, Peter

Abstract

Singapore's outward FDI is peculiar in important respects, even though it shares some characteristics with FDI undertaken by traditional investor countries. The focus of FDI in the manufacturing sector on lower-income Asian host countries suggests that the motivations and trade repercussions of Singapore's FDI differ from those of FDI undertaken by major industrialized countries. We apply basic gravity models in order to investigate the relationship between Singapore's outward FDI and trade and, thereby, to assess the economic justification of concerns that outward FDI has adverse labour market implications. We do not find that Singapore's FDI has replaced exports. Yet, balance-of-payments effects differ considerably across manufacturing industries.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellingsen, Gaute & Likumahuwa, Winfried & Nunnenkamp, Peter, 2006. "Outward FDI by Singapore: a different animal?," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 3947, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ifwkie:3947
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    Cited by:

    1. Koi Nyen Wong & Soo Khoon Goh, 2013. "Outward FDI, merchandise and services trade: evidence from Singapore," Journal of Business Economics and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(2), pages 276-291, April.
    2. Julia Kubny & Florian Mölders & Peter Nunnenkamp, 2011. "Regional Integration and FDI in Emerging Markets," Chapters, in: Ulrich Volz (ed.), Regional Integration, Economic Development and Global Governance, chapter 8, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Goh, Soo Khoon & Wong, Koi Nyen & Tham, Siew Yean, 2013. "Trade linkages of inward and outward FDI: Evidence from Malaysia," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 224-230.
    4. Goh, Soo Khoon & Wong, Koi Nyen & Tham, Siew Yean, 2012. "Does Outward FDI Matter in International Trade? Evidence from Malaysia," MPRA Paper 39715, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Vanzetti, David & Setyoko, Nur Rakhman & Trewin, Ray & Permani, Risti, 2010. "The revival of interest in self-sufficiency in Indonesia and its likely consequences," Conference papers 331974, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    6. Peter Nunnenkamp, 2010. "How Global is Foreign Direct Investment and What Can Policymakers Do About It? Stylized Facts, Knowledge Gaps, and Selected Policy Instruments," Chapters, in: Robert M. Solow & Jean-Philippe Touffut (ed.), The Shape of the Division of Labour, chapter 2, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    7. Liu, Wen-Hsien & Tsai, Pan-Long & Tsay, Ching-Lung, 2015. "Domestic impacts of outward FDI in Taiwan: Evidence from panel data of manufacturing firms," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 469-484.
    8. repec:agr:journl:v:4(621):y:2019:i:4(621):p:219-240 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Chao-Hsi Huang & Kai-Fang Teng & Pan-Long Tsai, 2010. "Inward and outward foreign direct investment and poverty: East Asia vs. Latin America," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 146(4), pages 763-779, December.
    10. Kueh, Jerome Swee-Hui & Puah, Chin Hong & Liew, Venus Khim-Sen, 2010. "Macroeconomic Determinants of Direct Investment Abroad of Singapore," MPRA Paper 47243, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2013.
    11. Bishwanath Goldar & Yashobanta Parida & Anindita Goldar, 2024. "Complementarity Versus Substitution Relationship between Outward FDI and Exports: Evidence from India," Journal of Asian Economic Integration, , vol. 6(1), pages 90-117, April.
    12. Liu, Wan-Hsin & Nunnenkamp, Peter, 2011. "Domestic Repercussions of Different Types of FDI: Firm-Level Evidence for Taiwanese Manufacturing," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 808-823, May.
    13. Ketan C. LIMAYE & Achut P. PEDNEKAR, 2019. "Does FDI substitute exports of home country? A case of US FDI in select Asian economies," Theoretical and Applied Economics, Asociatia Generala a Economistilor din Romania / Editura Economica, vol. 0(4(621), W), pages 219-240, Winter.
    14. Chew Ging LEE, 2010. "The Nexus of Outward Foreign Direct Investment and Income: Evidence from Singapore," Applied Econometrics and International Development, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 10(1).
    15. Kayam, Saime Suna & Hisarciklilar, Mehtap, 2009. "Determinants of Turkish FDI abroad," MPRA Paper 17813, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    vertical and horizontal FDI; trade effects; labour market implications; gravity model;
    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
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade

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