Foreign Direct Investment, Financial Markets and Growth Dynamics in MENA Oil Producing Countries: A Panel Investigation

Posted: 9 Jul 2011

See all articles by Kevin Gobri Onwuka

Kevin Gobri Onwuka

Nnamdi Azikiwe University - Department of Economics

Taha Chaiechi

James Cook University

Date Written: July 7, 2011

Abstract

The growth has been linked to foreign direct investment inflows. This paper examines whether FDI in extractive sector enhances growth, using data from seven MENA oil producing countries; namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran over the period 1980 to 2004. We employ fixed effects estimation technique to estimate the coefficients of our models. The main findings are: First, the effect of FDI is very small, and it can have positive spillovers in the host countries if there are adequate absorptive capacities – well developed financial markets and human capital. Second, the financial markets are inadequate to spur growth and enhance the role of FDI in the growth process in MENA oil producing countries. The paper opines that policy focus should be towards improving the absorptive capacities, as growth should evolve internally, not externally.

Keywords: foreign direct investment, extractive sector, financial markets, growth, MENA Region

JEL Classification: O16, F43

Suggested Citation

Onwuka, Kevin Gobri and Chaiechi, Taha, Foreign Direct Investment, Financial Markets and Growth Dynamics in MENA Oil Producing Countries: A Panel Investigation (July 7, 2011). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1881384

Kevin Gobri Onwuka

Nnamdi Azikiwe University - Department of Economics ( email )

Enugu-Onitsha Expressway
Nnamdi Azikiwe University
Awka, Anambra
Nigeria

Taha Chaiechi (Contact Author)

James Cook University ( email )

Cairns, Queensland 4878
Australia

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