International investments
Foreign investments mean that someone from abroad buys a company or part of a company in a country. This is normal, and most of the time unproblematic. In fact, a range of benefits may come from foreign investments, both for the company in question and for the country in which it is located.
Who, then, are buying companies in other countries? Normally, it is other, often multinational, companies that are privately owned. However, as of late, we see that some of these companies indirectly or directly also represent the interests of other states. A worry is therefore that foreign investments and the buying of companies can be used as a power-political instrument in the relations between states. This worry is partly a result of changing patterns of investments flows, where China, Russia and Gulf States have become more significant actors.
Usually, investments from such countries are also unproblematic but in the worst-case scenario, such investments can be used by other states as a basis for espionage, or as a means to gain leverage and exert political pressure on other countries.
An increasingly important question is therefore how liberal open societies can reap the benefits of open economies, but also protect their legitimate security interests. Where and how should we draw the borders between what is acceptable and normal, and the few cases where foreign investments may be a risk to society? Should a country decide this alone, or do we need international cooperation concerning the rules for screening foreign investments? If we can stop some kinds of investments, is there a danger that this can be abused for other purposes beyond societal security?
Researchers at Nupi therefore work to better understand the relationship between the benefits of foreign investments and how to best protect legitimate national security concerns.
News about international investments
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NUPI replaces NRK P2's 'Ekko' this week
7 Dec 2020NUPI has produced ten hours of high quality radio about foreign policy and international relations. The programs will air on NRK P2 during week 50, Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 11.00. Tune in!
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Norwegians adapting to a changing world
17 Jun 2020The world as we have come to know it is changing. How do Norwegians respond to these changes? What are their views of Norwegian foreign policy?
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Free trade agreements increasingly important for Norway
29 Jan 2020The EEA Agreement is Norway’s most significant free trade agreement by far. However, free trade agreements with other countries are becoming increasingly important, notes NUPI Senior Research Fellow Hege Medin.
Publications about international investments
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Publication
: Kronikk
The Nordic shift: China’s uphill battle for public approval in northern Europe
A recent survey shows that even the champions of free trade in Europe’s high north are reassessing their approach to Chinese investment. -
Publication
: Report
Vietnam: Six Ways to Keep Up the Renewable Energy Investment Success
Vietnam is one of the most attractive destinations for renewable energy investment in ASEAN. In 2018, the country attracted USD 5.2 billion. In 2019, the share of renewable energy in the energy mix was 9%, thus already exceeding the 7% target set for 2020. If Vietnam is to continue its success and compete... -
Publication
: Report
Thailand: Improving the Business Climate for Renewable Energy Investment
Thailand is among ASEAN’s renewable energy leaders. It attracted more than USD 10.7 billion of investment in renewable energy from 2006 to 2018. The country’s total installed capacity of renewable energy represented over 60% of the total capacity of ASEAN in 2019. Renewables accounted for 15% of its...
Research projects about international investments
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Foto: Peter Ashley/Creative Commons/CC BY 2.0
Research project
Consequences of Investments for National Security (COINS)
2019 - 2023 (Ongoing)How can liberal open societies reap the benefits of open economies, but at the same time protect their legitimate security interests? In the project “Consequences of Investments for National Security”...