FDI by SMEs in Global Context: Implications for ASEAN

by

Masataka Fujita Chief, Investment Trends and Data Section UNCTAD

ASEAN-Japan Seminar on FDI: Sharing Japanese SMEs' Dynamism in ASEAN's Integration 28-29 May 2007

Contents
I. SMEs in global context II. FDI by SMEs III. Small and medium-sized TNCs: characteristics and impacts IV. Problems faced by small and medium-sized TNCs V. Policy options for ASEAN and its member states
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I. SMEs in global context

Importance of SMEs varies even at the same level of economic development

The relationship between the importance of SMEs and the level of development
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Ja p a n
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D e n m a rk
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Ire la n d S in g a p o re G e rm a n y

S weden U n it e d K in g d o m F in la n d F ra n c e

H o n g K o n g , C h in a

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A u s t ria N e t h e rla n d s B e lg iu m It a ly S p a in

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S h a r e o f S M Es in to ta l va lu e a d d e d (p e r c e n t)

I. SMEs in global context SMEs are generally important in ASEAN (jugding by the number of employees), but the importance differs.
SMEs as percentages of total value added and employment in selected countries, most recent available years
Econom y D e v e lo p e d c o u n trie s F ra n c e G e rm a n y Ita ly Ja p a n P o rtu g a l S p a in U n ite d K in g d o m U n ite d S ta te s D e v e lo p in g e c o n o m ie s C h in a H o n g K o n g , C h in a In d o n e s ia M a la ysia P h ilip p in e s S in g a p o re Th a ila n d V ie t N a m Year V a lu e a d d e d E m p lo ym e n t

2003 2005 2003 2004 2003 2003 2005 2004

5 1 .1 4 6 .7 6 8 .6 5 3 .8 6 4 .2 6 6 .5 5 6 .1 ..

6 0 .3 7 0 .8 8 1 .0 7 1 .0 8 0 .6 7 9 .2 5 2 .0 5 0 .9

2004 2004 2003 2005 2001 2005 2006 2004

6 8 .7 7 6 .4 5 7 .6 4 7 .3 3 2 .0 3 4 .7 .. 2 6 .0

8 5 .2 7 6 .9 9 9 .4 6 5 .1 7 0 .0 5 1 .8 6 8 .1 7 7 .5

I. SMEs in global context

When attempting at SMEs policy formulation and policy coordination among ASEAN members, it is important to remember that FDI by SMEs in particular can play a determinant role.

II. FDI by SMEs

In terms of number, there are many small TNCs

All TNCs
77,000 TNCs 770,000 affiliates abroad

Small and mediumsized TNCs

40,000 TNCs 120,000 affiliates abroad

II. FDI by SMEs Small and medium-sized TNCs are more export-oriented and more transnationalized than large TNCs. In delivering goods and services to foreign markets, they use both exports and FDI.
How different between small investors (small and medium-sized TNCs) and large investors (large TNCs)?

By size Small and mediumsized TNCs Large TNCs

Transnationality Ratio of Ratio of foreign foreign sales assets to total to total sales assets 55% 29% 40% 7%

Profitability: Ratio of net income to sales 6% 5%

Mode of delivery: exports or int'l production Export international propensity production to (exports/sales) sales 0.26 0.16 1.6 2.6

II. FDI by SMEs

Involvement in FDI by SMEs varies: Japan 1/5, United States and Europe less than 5% of total FDI.
Number of foreign affiliates established by Japanese SMEs and its share in all affiliates, 1994-2004
1000 30.0 25.0 22.1 19.3 17.0 545 418 16.9 542 18.4 615 522 513 397 15.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 124 2002 2003 70 0.0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2004 % 13.8 427 19.5 20.0

800

832 22.8

24.1 21.7 660

Number

600 588 400

200 174 0

230 135 130 166 67 87 122 174

Number of affiliates established by Japanese large enterprises Number of affiliates established by Japanese SMEs Share

II. FDI by SMEs

Location of FDI by SMEs: mainly Asia for Japanese SME, mainly Europe for European SMEs, increasingly Asia for US SMEs. Industry breakdown. Small TNCs are more in textiles, capital-goods production (machinery and equipment) and trade (wholesale and retail trade).

II. FDI by SMEs Reasons for FDI are various: the expectations of growth in local markets, low-cost labour, the presence of their clients in host economies are particularly important.
Reasons for FDI by Japanese SMEs, 2004
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Reasons for investm ent decision: 1. Developm ent of local industry and protection policy by the local Governm ent. 2. Quality and cheap costs of labour force. 3. Existence of technicians. 4. Easiness of local procurem ent. 5. Cheap capital costs such as land. 6. Reverse exports to Japan because of good quality and price. 7. Expectation of large demand in local m arket. 8. Expectation of large demand in third country. 9. Infrastructure. 10. Already presence of other Japanese firm s including clients. 80 11. No reply.

20

40

60

Japanese small and medium-sized TNCs

Japanese large TNCs

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III. Small and medium- sized TNCs: characteristics and impacts

1. Characteristics
High export propensity: 26% for small TNCs, 16% for large TNCs SMEs in medium-technology industries are most actively involved in FDI. Reasons: fewer cost advantages in home economies; thus internationalized. Little direct competition (rubber, furniture, niche products).

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III. Small and medium- sized TNCs: characteristics and impacts

1. Characteristics (Contd)
Subcontractor relationship with large firms and suppliers to other firms.
Bridge the technology gap between developed countries and ASEAN.

Increasingly high-technology SMEs go to invest.

Greater relationship with large firms.

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III. Small and medium- sized TNCs: characteristics and impacts

2. Contribution to development
SMEs in developed countries as an important reservoir of productive resources for developing countries Small TNCs can bring in technologies that may suit better the host country characteristics Competitive edge of small TNCs: 4 areas
Fill in the areas left open by large firms (diseconomies of scale or niche production) Possess technologies phased out by large firms (mature technologies) Downscale technologies to smaller markets (more labour-intensive, adapting to local factor proportions) Cost advantages in simple and flexible organizational structure
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III. Small and medium- sized TNCs: characteristics and impacts

2. Contribution to development (Contd)

Higher export prosperity
Can advance regional integration process through intraregional trade by SME affiliates

FTA promotes more trade and strengthens sales activities of TNCs

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III. Small and medium- sized TNCs: characteristics and impacts

2. Contribution to development (Contd)

Effects of FTAs on operations of Japanese large and small and medium-sized TNCs, 2004
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

10

20

30

40

50

1. Trade (export and import) expansion due to lower tariff. 2. Expansion of new investment and reinvestment due to abolition of foreign investment entry restrictions. 3. Enlargement of capital movement. 4. Strengthened sales activities. 5. R&D expansion. 6. Consolidation of production sites. 60 7. No reply.

Japanese large TNCs Japanese small and medium-sized TNCs

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IV. Problems faced by small and medium-sized TNCs

Many SMEs are reluctant to invest abroad

Investment policies: foreign exchange and remittance restrictions, taxation policies, local procurement requirement are particularly important for small TNCs Problems encountered in host economy by Japanese large TNCs and small and medium-sized TNCs, 2004
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1. Loca l procu rem ent requirem e nt. 2. Expo rt req uire m en t. 3. Loca l s ales requ irem ent. 4. Tech nolog y trans fe r req uirem en t. 5. Ow ners hip res trictio ns . 6. Foreign e xch ange and rem itta nce res trictions . 7. R ecru itm en t of fore ign lab our res trictions a nd loca l labou r req uire m en t. 8. Vis a res trictions . 9. Taxatio n policy. 10. Trans fer pricing tax s ys tem . 11. Infla tion. 12. N o reply.

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Japanes e large TNCs

20

30

40

Japanes e s mall and medium-s iz ed TNCs

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IV. Problems faced by small and medium-sized TNCs

Many SMEs are reluctant to invest abroad (Contd)

Macroeconomic and cultural constraints Lack of managerial and human resources Lack of international experiences Preference for short-run goals Limited transfer capabilities
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V. Policy options for ASEAN and its member states

1. Country and firm levels

a. Country level
Continued liberalization process Utilization of home country programmes Extension of coverage of domestic SME policies to foreign SMEs Creation of records of FDI by SMEs Infrastructure
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V. Policy options for ASEAN and its member states

1. Country and firm levels (Contd)

b. Firm level
Increasing awareness of international business for local firms Assistance at the pre-project stage Assistance in the selection of partners Assisting local firms to access financial resources.
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V. Policy options for ASEAN and its member states

2. Regional (ASEAN) and international levels

Provision of expertise Coordination of policies Provision of information Intermediary role Centralization of SME FDI data Creation of database on potential SME investors Creating meeting opportunities
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