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Grey zones in global finance: The distorted geography of cross-border investments

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  • Anne-Laure Delatte

    (CEPR - Center for Economic Policy Research, LEDa - Laboratoire d'Economie de Dauphine - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Amelie Guillin

    (ERUDITE - Equipe de Recherche sur l’Utilisation des Données Individuelles en lien avec la Théorie Economique - UPEC UP12 - Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne - Paris 12 - Université Gustave Eiffel)

  • Vincent Vicard

    (CEPII - Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales - Centre d'analyse stratégique)

Abstract
Complex cross-border financial structures inflate measured international investment stocks in tax havens. Using a standard gravity framework, we estimate that about 40% of global assets (FDI, portfolio equity and debt) are ‘abnormal' – unexplained – and operated through tax havens. Abnormal stocks are increasing over time and concentrated in a limited number of jurisdictions. Six jurisdictions including three European countries are the largest contributors: Cayman, Bermuda, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Ireland and the Netherlands. Interestingly, the Luxleaks in 2014 do not appear to have diverted cross-border investments away.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne-Laure Delatte & Amelie Guillin & Vincent Vicard, 2022. "Grey zones in global finance: The distorted geography of cross-border investments," Post-Print hal-03670567, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03670567
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jimonfin.2021.102540
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    Cited by:

    1. Bricongne, Jean-Charles & Delpeuch, Samuel & Lopez-Forero, Margarita, 2023. "Productivity slowdown and tax havens: Where is measured value creation?," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    2. Manon Francois & Vincent Vicard, 2023. "Tax Avoidance and the Complexity of Multinational Enterprises," Working Papers 2023-04, CEPII research center.
    3. Li, Chang & Wang, Chu & Yang, Lianxing & Chu, Baoju, 2023. "Impact of cultural trade on foreign direct investment: Evidence from China," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    4. Maria Siranova & Menbere Workie Tiruneh & Brian Konig, 2024. "From abnormal FDI to a normal driver of sudden stop episodes," Working Papers 2024.02, International Network for Economic Research - INFER.
    5. Albori, Marco & Anzuini, Alessio & Ferriani, Fabrizio & Rossi, Luca, 2024. "The gravity of Offshore Financial Centers: Estimating real FDIs using a binary choice model," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cross-border investments; Capital openness; Tax havens; Gravity equation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • H22 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Incidence
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm

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