UPSC Prelims 2012·CSAT·Reading Comprehension·Passage Comprehension

Read the following passages and answer the items that follow each passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. The need for Competition Law becomes more evident when foreign direct investment (FDI) is liberalised. The impact of FDI is not always pro-competitive. Very often FDI takes the form of a foreign corporation acquiring a domestic enterprise or establishing a joint venture with one. By making such an acquisition the foreign investor may substantially lessen competition and gain a dominant position in the relevant market, thus charging higher prices. Another scenario is where the affiliates of two separate multinational companies (MNCs) have been established in competition with one another in a particular developing economy, following the liberalisation of FDI. Subsequently, the parent companies overseas merge. With the affiliates no longer remaining independent, competition in the host country may be virtually eliminated and the prices of the products may be artificially inflated. Most of these adverse consequences of mergers and acquisitions by MNCs can be avoided if an effective competition law is in place. Also, an economy that has implemented an effective competition law is in a better position to attract FDI than one that has not. This is not just because most MNCs are expected to be accustomed to the operation of such a law in their home countries and know how to deal with such concerns but also that MNCs expect competition authorities to ensure a level playing field between domestic and foreign firms. With reference to the passage, which of the given statements is/are correct? 1) It is desirable that the impact of Foreign Direct Investment should be pro- competitive. 2) The entry of foreign investors invariably leads to the inflated prices in domestic markets

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  1. AOnly 1Correct
  2. BOnly 2
  3. CBoth 1 and 2
  4. DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

The correct answer is A because of the following reasons Statement 1 is correct because the passage discusses the adverse consequences of FDI when it is not pro competitive such as reduced competition and higher prices. By stating that an effective competition law can avoid these negative impacts the author implies that a pro competitive impact is the desired outcome for the economy. Statement 2 is incorrect because of the word invariably. The passage states that FDI is not always pro competitive and explains specific scenarios where prices may be inflated such as through acquisitions or parent company mergers. It does not suggest that price inflation is an absolute or universal result of all foreign investment. The passage also mentions that MNCs look for a level playing field which suggests competition can exist.
Reading Comprehension: Read the following passages and answer the items that follow each passage. Your answers to these items should be based o

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