But this research also shows that other factors, such as government economic policies, local enterprise, the efficiency of public administration and the amount of foreign direct investment are just as important in raising economic performance.

ECONOMIST: European regional aid

Presumably, countries that attract more foreign direct investment suffer less than those that have a greater amount of footloose portfolio investment or short-term bank lending.

ECONOMIST: Economics focus

Perhaps more telling is the fact that the money they send back home surpasses the amount of money the countries receive in direct foreign investment and official development aid.

BBC: NEWS | Americas | L America buoyed by migrants' pay