英文摘要 |
By exploring the trends of GDP growth, the scale and sources of inward FDI over the period from 1970 to 2009 in Southeast Asia, we analyze the role of FDI for the area's economic development. According to the trend of GDP growth rate, we divide the area's development history, by three cutting years of 1973, 1985 and 1997, into four periods: (1) Post-World War II period, (2) Post-Oil Crisis period, (3) economic booming period, and (4) Post-Asian Financial Crisis period. Then we analyze the relationship between FDI and the growth rate for each period. In general, the inward FDI has significantly contributed the economic growth of Southeast Asia, especially during the booming period from 1986 to 1997. During this period, being expected to succeed the growth path of Four-Dragon, the FDI flowed quickly into the region and reached a record high. However, the effect of FDI on economic development differs among countries, in which Malaysia and Indonesia contrasted the most. In Malaysia, the export-oriented industries were developed and thus maintained a longer term of growth path. Failing to upgrade in time its labor quality and develop its human capital, it finally encountered the problem of labor shortage and importing foreign workers was inevitable. In Indonesia, being endowed with natural gas and oil made the country the most attractive destination for foreign capital during the oil crisis era. While most of the FDI were headed for the oil-sector, Indonesia had a significantly lower level of industry development than Malaysia, and thus had a surplus of labor to send abroad. With the help of FDI, Indonesia's growth was almost as good as Malaysia in the early stage. However, due to the political instability and the lack of well developed manufacturing sector, Indonesia was only able to maintain a growth level slightly better than Philippine even in the Southeast Asia's booming years. In sum, FDI were induced to Southeast Asia for economic development, and it did succeed in the booming period, making it the highest growth area in the world. However, because of failing to increase its labor productivity and accumulate human capital in time, the growth rate declined sharply after the 1997 crisis and decreased further due to China’s magnetic effect and the opening up of Vietnam economy. |