The effects of foreign direct investment (fdi) on the environment in developing countries are now assessed quite differently from in the past

5.2.1.3. Capital Formation: Capital represents an essential economic asset in developing countries. A significant benefit of MNCs is their injection of capital into a developing country, bringing financial resources otherwise unavailable through their own capital and access to international capital markets. An important share of the total capital flow to developing countries comes from MNCs’ investments; estimations vary from 14.9% to 51.5% of the total flows to developing countries (UNCTAD, 1994; p. 409). Studies show that foreign multinationals are indeed more productive, pay higher wages and are more export intensive than local firms (Markusen, 1995). MNCs contribute important foreign exchange earnings through their trade effect of generating exports. By producing goods for export, the balance of payments of the developing countries enhance the economic growth, becoming a more attractive prospect for further investment as well as contributing to the growing role of developing countries in world trade. MNCs provide immediate access to foreign markets and customers which would take domestic firms years of investment and effort to acquire for themselves (Strange, 1995).