ABSTRACT
Assuming that there is a collective Asian view on foreign investments, its foundations must be found in a common historical attitude towards economic exploitation during the colonial period and the later adoption of a more pragmatic vision that foreign investment, selectively admitted, may be harnessed to the goals of economic development that Asian states have adopted. A combination of a historical sense of hostility, nationalism that continues to dictate events, pragmatism and competition among themselves to attract foreign investment underlies the different policies of the Asian states.
