Product details

By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies as described in our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.
You can change your cookie settings at any time but parts of our site will not function correctly without them.
Management article
-
Reference no. 95511
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Published in: "Harvard Business Review", 1995

Abstract

Private investment in infrastructure is again the rage among foreign investors and governments in the developing countries of Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Managers should not get carried away, however: A look at a few recent experiences shows that the pitfalls of the past are still present today. The authors review ill-fated foreign investment projects and conclude that foreign investment in infrastructure is dangerous because the hosting nations view it as an obsolescing bargain. In the face of this discouraging evaluation, the authors have some suggestions for minimizing risks. These range from the general, such as taking care to choose the right businesses to invest in, to more specific advice on setting rates and buying insurance. Nevertheless, investors should not expect security in infrastructure investment. Indeed, the paradox of infrastructure projects may be that higher returns cause higher risk, rather than the converse.

About

Abstract

Private investment in infrastructure is again the rage among foreign investors and governments in the developing countries of Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Managers should not get carried away, however: A look at a few recent experiences shows that the pitfalls of the past are still present today. The authors review ill-fated foreign investment projects and conclude that foreign investment in infrastructure is dangerous because the hosting nations view it as an obsolescing bargain. In the face of this discouraging evaluation, the authors have some suggestions for minimizing risks. These range from the general, such as taking care to choose the right businesses to invest in, to more specific advice on setting rates and buying insurance. Nevertheless, investors should not expect security in infrastructure investment. Indeed, the paradox of infrastructure projects may be that higher returns cause higher risk, rather than the converse.

Related