Economic Definition of foreign direct investment. Defined.
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Term foreign direct investment Definition: The acquisition of controlling interest in foreign firms and businesses from one country in another country. Abbreviated FDI, foreign direct investment can also take the form of constructing factories, structures and equipment (or any form of physical capital) in foreign soil. FDI does not include foreign investment into the stock markets (portfolio investment). Most economists consider foreign direct investment more useful than portfolio investment since this last one is generally regarded as temporal and can leave the foreign country at the first sign of trouble. FDI on the other hand, is considered more durable and with larger economic (potential) benefits.
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