Competition for Natural Resources and the Hold-Up Problem

We study the role of competition for the hold-up problem in foreign direct investment in resource-based industries. The host country government is not only unable to commit not to expropriate investment ex post, but is also unable to commit to the provision of local resources. In the case of competition for local resources this dual commitment problem triggers higher investment levels, increases host countries revenues, but hurts profits of international investors. Domestic firms can play a similar role as an alternative instrument for host country governments to generate higher foreign investment in an environment of weak property rights.