The location determinants of FDI in the GCC countries

Abstract

This paper studies the location determinants of FDI flows to the GCC countries, along Dunning's [Dunning, J., 1981. International Production and the Multinational Enterprise. Allen & Unwin, London] OLI paradigm. The paper uses panel data for the period 1980–2002. Panel data model estimates show that oil potential, measured by oil reserves, and oil utilization, measured by oil production, have a surprisingly negative influence on FDI flows, contrary to expectations about positive association between GCC oil resources and FDI flows. However, the relative degree of oil utilization, measured by oil production relative to oil reserves, has a positive influence on inflows. Similar to oil potential and oil utilization, oil price has a negative influence. Estimates also show that while institutional quality, trade openness and infrastructure development encourage FDI flows, human capital significantly discourages them.