This paper models inter-regional competition for FDI and optimal government policy intervention to protect the national interest. Two regional authorities bargain with a single multinational over where it will locate. This potentially leads to excessive competition between the regions, favouring the multinational. The federal government obviously wants to limit such competition but lacks information on comparative advantage. This paper examines its optimal policy. Among the main results we have the following two: First, the federal government would use tax policy to create asymmetries even when the underlying structure is symmetrical. Second, there are situations where, even though one MNC is more productive in one region, it is optimal for the country to make it go to the other one.
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Find related papers by JEL classification: F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
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Bond, Eric W & Samuelson, Larry, 1986.
"Tax Holidays as Signals,"
American Economic Review,
American Economic Association, vol. 76(4), pages 820-26, September.
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King, Ian & Welling, Linda, 1992.
"Commitment, Efficiency and Footloose Firms,"
Economica,
London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 59(233), pages 63-73, February.
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