[4]  http://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2017/sp-dg-2017-11-13.html  5/13  13/11/2017  Business Investment in Australia | Speeches | RBA  Graph 5  Weak economic growth An obvious candidate to explain the post-crisis behaviour of investment is weak aggregate demand. Research finds that much of the weakness in global investment since the crisis can be explained by slower economic growth.
International trade results in a more efficient use of production factors and in specialisation where comparative advantage exists, thereby raising productivity growth.6 And welfare gains from trade for firms and consumers follow from the wider availability of cheaper and better quality products.7 Moreover, for advanced economies the importance of trade may actually be growing.