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How Effective are Investment Promotion Agencies? Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Bin Ni

    (Osaka University)

  • Yasuyuki Todo

    (Waseda University)

  • Tomohiko Inui

    (Gakushuin University)

Abstract

Using both firm-level and city-level data from the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics and unique information on investment promotion agencies (IPA) in China, the present paper evaluates whether IPA affect foreign direct investment (FDI) from the perspective of both intensive and extensive margins; that is, re-investment by incumbent foreign-owned firms and total new FDI inflows into the city, respectively. After controlling for potential determinants of FDI and correcting for biases due to endogeneity, we find that, in general, IPA do not necessarily increase FDI in either case. However, IPA are found to promote re-investment by large foreign-owned firms. The results imply difficulty in the dissemination of information about the business environment to foreign investors.

Suggested Citation

  • Bin Ni & Yasuyuki Todo & Tomohiko Inui, 2017. "How Effective are Investment Promotion Agencies? Evidence from China," The Japanese Economic Review, Springer, vol. 68(2), pages 232-243, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jecrev:v:68:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1111_jere.12089
    DOI: 10.1111/jere.12089
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    Cited by:

    1. Jerónimo Carballo & Ignacio Marra de Artiñano & Christian Volpe Martincus, 2021. "Information Frictions, Investment Promotion, and Multinational Production: Firm-Level Evidence," CESifo Working Paper Series 9043, CESifo.
    2. Cote, Christine & Estrin, Saul & Shapiro, Daniel, 2020. "Expanding the international trade and investment policy agenda: the role of cities and services," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 104003, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Chuop Theot Therith, 2022. "Effect of Investment Promotion through the Special Economic Zone Mechanism on the Distribution of FDI in Cambodia," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Christine Côté & Saul Estrin & Daniel Shapiro, 0. "Expanding the international trade and investment policy agenda: The role of cities and services," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 0, pages 1-25.
    5. INADA Mitsuo, 2019. "Promotion or Liberalization: The Effect of Targeted Investment Policies on FDI Inflows," Discussion papers 19071, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    6. Knoerich, Jan & Vitting, Simon, 2021. "The distinct contribution of investment promotion agencies’ branch offices in bringing Chinese multinationals to Europe," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(3).
    7. Christine Côté & Saul Estrin & Daniel Shapiro, 2020. "Expanding the international trade and investment policy agenda: The role of cities and services," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 3(3), pages 199-223, September.
    8. Mitsuo Inada, 2022. "Promotion or liberalization: The effect of targeted investment policies on foreign direct investment inflows," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(5), pages 489-505, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    F21; F23;

    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

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