Experience of Foreign Countries in Attracting Foreign Direct Investment: Benchmarking Opportunities for Russia

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a crucial factor in economic growth, industrial modernization, and enhancing the competitiveness of national economies. In the context of globalization, FDI serves not only as a source of capital but also as a means of transferring technology, knowledge, and managerial expertise. However, the distribution of FDI flows worldwide is highly uneven, necessitating the development of effective national strategies to attract foreign investors. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of international experience in attracting FDI, highlighting the most successful strategies of leading countries, including China, Singapore, Ireland, and the UAE. Key tools such as special economic zones (SEZs), tax incentives, government support for strategic industries, investment transparency, and investor rights protection are examined. Special attention is given to analyzing contemporary global trends in the FDI sector, including economic digitalization, the transition to sustainable development, and the impact of geopolitical factors on investment flows. Based on a comparative analysis of global practices, the article evaluates their applicability in the Russian context. The study identifies key barriers restraining the inflow of foreign investments into Russia, including high tax burdens, administrative barriers, insufficient investor rights protection, and the impact of sanctions. The article proposes specific recommendations for adapting successful foreign strategies to enhance Russia’s investment attractiveness, including tax system reform, improvement of investment activity regulation, the development of special economic zones, and attracting foreign companies to high-tech industries. The findings of this research may be useful for government agencies involved in shaping investment policy, as well as for businesses and the academic community analyzing the prospects for developing Russia’s investment climate in the context of international experience.