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on MENA - Middle East and North Africa |
| By: | Imad El Hamma (Université Côte d'Azur, France; GREDEG CNRS) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we reexamine the effect of remittances on economic growth in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. Using unbalanced panel data covering a sample of 12 MENA countries over the period 1984-2012, we studied the hypothesis that the effect of remittances on economic growth varies depending on the level of financial development and institutional environment in recipient countries. We use GMM estimation in which we address the endogeneity of remittances. Our results reveal a complementary relationship among financial development and remittances to ensure economic growth. The estimations also show that remittances promote growth in countries with a developed financial system and a strong institutional environment. |
| Keywords: | Remittances, economic growth, financial development, institutions quality |
| JEL: | F24 F43 G29 O43 |
| Date: | 2016–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gre:wpaper:2016-38&r=ara |
| By: | Deniz Karaoğlan (Bahcesehir University, Department of Economics.); Aysit Tansel (Department of Economics, Middle East Technical University, 06531 Ankara, Turkey, Institute for Study of Labor (IZA), P.O. Box 7240, D-53072 Bonn, Germany, and Economic Research Forum (ERF) Cairo,) |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the factors that may influence the obesity in Turkey which is a developing country by implementing Quantile Regression (QR) methodology. The control factors that we consider are education, labor market outcomes, household income, age, gender, region and marital status. The analysis is conducted by using the 2008, 2010 and 2012 waves of the Turkish Health Survey (THS) prepared by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT). The obesity indicator in our study is the individual’s Body Mass Index (BMI). QR regression results provide robust evidence that additional years of schooling has negative effect on individual’s BMI and this effect significantly raises across different quantiles of BMI. QR results also indicate that males tend to have higher BMI at lower quantiles of BMI, whereas females have higher BMI at the top quantiles. This implies that females have higher tendency to be obese in Turkey. Our findings also imply that the positive effect of age on individual’s BMI levels raises across the quantiles at a decreasing rate. In addition, the effect of living in urban or rural areas do not significantly differ at the highest quantile distributions of BMI. Our results also reveal that the negative effect of being single on BMI increases gradually in absolute value across the quantiles of BMI implying that single individuals have less tendency to be obese or overweight compared to the married or widowed/divorced individuals. Moreover, the negative effect of being in labor force on individual’s BMI increases across the quantiles of BMI implying that an individual is more likely to be obese if he/she is out of labor force. Finally, the impact of household income on BMI is positive and significant at all quantiles. |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tek:wpaper:2017/1&r=ara |
| By: | International Monetary Fund. |
| Abstract: | Egypt’s underlying structural weaknesses and the prolonged political transition have led to the build-up of macroeconomic imbalances. A significantly overvalued exchange rate has undermined competitiveness and depleted international reserves. Weak revenue combined with poorly targeted subsidies and a growing public sector wage bill have resulted in persistent large fiscal deficits and a high level of public debt. Real and potential growth have slowed since 2011 as foreign exchange shortages and the weak business climate deterred investment and impeded productivity improvement and job creation. Regional instability and security concerns have also taken a toll on the economy, especially on tourism. Risks of economic distress increased. |
| Date: | 2017–01–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfscr:17/17&r=ara |
| By: | Augier, Patricia; Cadot, Olivier; Dovis, Marion |
| Abstract: | This paper combines a new database on non-tariff measures (NTMs) with Morocco's firm census to explore the effect of regulatory harmonization with the E.U. on firm-level outcomes. Exploiting cross-sectoral variation in the timing and extent of regulatory harmonization, we find that harmonization waves correlate with rises in labor productivity and with higher markups, allowing self-financing of the adaptation process at the firm level. We identify an induced market-structure change that made the observed rise in markups possible. Namely, harmonization temporarily sheltered the Moroccan market from competition from low-end producers in other developing countries, who took time to adapt. We identified this effect through changes in both trade patterns and firm-level outcomes. Thus, harmonization apparently generated a self-financing adaptation process by affecting both firm-level incentives and market structure. |
| Keywords: | firms; Harmonization; Morocco; Non-Tariff Measures; productivity; Profit; Trade |
| JEL: | F13 F15 |
| Date: | 2017–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:11799&r=ara |
| By: | Y. \c{C}inar |
| Abstract: | The research and teaching efficiencies of 45 Turkish state universities are evaluated by using Multi-Activity Data Envelopment Analysis (MA-DEA) model developed by Beasley (1995). Universities are multi-purpose institutions, therefore they face multiple production functions simultaneously associated with research and teaching activities. MA-DEA allows assigning priorities and allocating shared resources to these activities. |
| Date: | 2016–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:1701.07318&r=ara |
| By: | International Monetary Fund. |
| Abstract: | Kuwait: Selected Issues |
| Keywords: | Budgets;Deficit financing;Borrowing;Banking sector;Credit expansion;Liquidity management;Islamic banking;Oil prices;Economic growth;Selected Issues Papers;Kuwait; |
| Date: | 2017–01–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfscr:17/16&r=ara |
| By: | International Monetary Fund. |
| Abstract: | With large financial buffers, low debt, and a well-capitalized financial sector, the country is well positioned to face “lower-for-longer†oil prices. Nonetheless, fiscal and external balances have weakened and nonoil growth has softened somewhat. The main policy priorities are to sustain reforms to gradually raise fiscal savings, reduce susceptibility to oil price cycles, and boost private sector growth and job creation. |
| Keywords: | Article IV consultations;Economic growth;Oil prices;Nonoil sector;Private sector;Fiscal reforms;Labor market reforms;Currency pegs;Banking sector;Economic indicators;Debt sustainability analysis;Press releases;Staff Reports;Kuwait; |
| Date: | 2017–01–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfscr:17/15&r=ara |
| By: | Razin, Assaf |
| Abstract: | The paper gives an economic-history perspective of the long struggle with Inflation. It covers the early acceleration to three-digit levels, lasting 8 years; The stabilization program, based on political backing triggered sharp fall in inflationary expectation, and consequently to sharp inflation reduction to two- digit levels; The convergence to the advanced countries' levels during the "great Moderation", And Israel's resistance to the deflation-depression forces that the 2008 crisis created. The emphasis is on the forces of globalization and the building of institutions, political, regulatory, financial, budget design, and monetary, which helped stabilize prices and output. |
| Keywords: | Deflation-Depression forces; Hyperinflation; Stabilization |
| JEL: | E00 E6 F3 F38 |
| Date: | 2017–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:11787&r=ara |
| By: | Bakari, Sayef; MABROUKI, Mohamed |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the relationship between economic growth, export and import in Morocco. VAR modeling techniques and Granger causality are used in empirical work. The study showed a causal effect ranging from economic growth in exports. Evidence shows that economic growth favors exports. While, there is no effect that goes for export growth. |
| Keywords: | Economic growth, Exports, Imports, VAR, Causality, Morocco. |
| JEL: | F0 F1 F14 |
| Date: | 2016–12–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:76440&r=ara |