Uncertainty of FDI access relaxation on trans-regional investment in Indonesia: Evidence from publicly listed companies (2010-2022)

This study examines the impact of relaxation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) access on the trans-regional investment behavior of Indonesian enterprises. Utilizing data from publicly listed companies between 2010 and 2022, this study investigates how easing FDI restrictions influences the geographic distribution of subsidiaries. The findings indicate that FDI access relaxation significantly promotes trans-regional investment, driven by reduced government subsidies and lower market intervention. These mechanisms enable enterprises to expand beyond local markets by decreasing their dependency on government support and lowering their transaction costs. Robustness tests, including first-order difference models and dynamic distribution tests, confirmed the reliability of the results. This study suggests that a further reduction in FDI restrictions can enhance domestic market integration, mitigate capital market segmentation, and promote inclusive economic growth. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of the economic benefits of FDI access policies and offers new strategies for addressing market segmentation in Indonesia.