The majority of cross-border investment is in the form of mergers and acquisitions rather than greenfield investments.

[answerhappygod]

The majority of cross-border investment is in the form of
mergers and acquisitions rather than greenfield investments.
Firms prefer to acquire existing assets rather than undertake
greenfield investments because (1) mergers and acquisitions are
quicker to execute than greenfield investments; (2) it is easier
and perhaps less risky for a firm to acquire desired assets than
build them from the ground up; and (3) firms believe that they can
increase the efficiency of an acquired unit by transferring
capital, technology, or management skills.
1) Does an acquisition of company by a foreign investor
contribute to economic growth/development in the receiving
country?
2) Say you are a small county in Mississippi that wants to
develop its local economy. There is a foreign investor that is
willing to build a greenfields $50 million autopart assembly plant
in the country and there is a foreign investor that will buy a
lumber producing company also located in the country, also for $50
million. Which should the county officials support. What kinds of
incentives would be appropriate in each case.