CAIE A-Level Economics 11.5.4 Foreign Direct Investment

CAIE A-Level Economics 11.5.4 Foreign Direct Investment
Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics 9708 syllabus for exams in 2026, 2027 and 20282026–2028

Practise tracing FDI through aggregate demand, productive capacity, jobs, technology and balance-of-payments flows and evaluating its effect on growth and living standards.

How this is tested

  • predict current-account effects from exported output, imported inputs and repatriated profits
  • analyse FDI through investment, AD, productive capacity, employment, skills and technology
  • evaluate development gains against weak infrastructure, low wages, market power and volatile flows

Question 30

[Maximum number: 1]

Which criticism of foreign direct investment (FDI) is least valid?

A

It encourages competition, reduces prices and forces the less efficient domestic firms to leave the market.

B

It brings workers from its own country and provides only low paying jobs to low skilled local workers.

C

It is usually withdrawn quickly in case of a global crisis, making developing countries more vulnerable to global shocks.

D

Its actions often result in environmental degradation, and over exploitation of natural resources.