FOREIGN INVESTMENT: The purchase of financial and physical assets in one country by businesses and residents of another. Business that call one country their home, especially those from more advanced nations, have found it advantageous to construct factories, establish distribution centers, buy corporate stock, or otherwise invest in the assets of another country. Foreign investment indicates that an economy is relatively productive and worthy of investment by others.

     See also | investment | capital | asset | corporate stock | trade surplus | trade deficit | balance of trade | balance of payments |