Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/30560 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 2865
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
The debate on trade and growth increasingly focuses on the composition of exports. Exports of more “sophisticated” products appear to be positively correlated with growth, and upgrading the quality of exports is high on the policy agenda of many countries. This study presents evidence suggesting that attracting inflows of FDI offers potential for upgrading a country’s export basket. The empirical analysis relates unit values of exports measured at the 4-digit SITC level to data on sectors treated by investment promotion agencies as priority in their efforts to attract FDI. The sample covers 116 countries over the period 1984-2000. The findings are consistent with a positive effect of FDI on unit values of exports in developing countries. However, such a relationship is less evident in developed countries. These results suggest that FDI can help bridge gaps in production and marketing techniques between developing and high income economies.
Subjects: 
export quality
unit values
FDI
investment promotion
industrial policy
JEL: 
F10
L52
F21
F23
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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