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The Uncertainty of Debt Service Payments and Economic Growth of HIPCs: Is there a Case for Debt Relief?

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  • Geske Dijkstra
  • Niels Hermes

Abstract

This paper investigates whether, and to what extent, the uncertainty with respect to the annual debt service payments may adversely affect economic growth of the group of highly indebted poor countries (HIPCs). We find supportive evidence for this hypothesis. Based on these results, we conclude that debt relief may contribute to regaining growth by reducing uncertainty with respect to the debt service payments, which in turn may increase the effectiveness of government policies and consequently provide the private sector with positive signals about the future profitability of their investment.

Suggested Citation

  • Geske Dijkstra & Niels Hermes, 2001. "The Uncertainty of Debt Service Payments and Economic Growth of HIPCs: Is there a Case for Debt Relief?," WIDER Working Paper Series DP2001-122, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:dp2001-122
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    3. Muhammad Cholifihani, 2008. "A Cointegration Analysis Of Public Debt Service And Gdp In Indonesia," IBT Journal of Business Studies (JBS), Ilma University, Faculty of Management Science, vol. 4(2), pages 4-1.
    4. Mahdavi, Saeid, 2004. "Shifts in the Composition of Government Spending in Response to External Debt Burden," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(7), pages 1139-1157, July.
    5. Nnamocha, P. N. (PhD) & Anyanwu, Austin Chinenye (PhD) & Evbie Johnson, 2022. "External Debt and Macroeconomic Performance in Nigeria, 1981–2019," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 9(2), pages 26-36, February.
    6. M. Wasiqur Rahman Khan & Haydory Akbar Ahmed, 2012. "Dynamics of foreign earnings, assistance and debt servicing in Bangladesh," International Journal of Development Issues, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 11(1), pages 74-84, April.
    7. Muhammad Cholifihani, 2008. "A Cointegration Analysis Of Public Debt Service And Gdp In Indonesia," IBT Journal of Business Studies (JBS), Ilma University, Faculty of Management Science, vol. 4(2), pages 68-81.
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    9. Eduardo Lora, 2007. "Inversión pública en infraestructura en América Latina: ¿Es la deuda la culpable?," Research Department Publications 4503, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    10. Aminu, Umaru & Ahmad Aminu, Hamidu & Salihu, Musa, 2013. "External Debt and Domestic Debt impact on the growth of the Nigerian Economy," MPRA Paper 75122, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Madhur Gautam, 2003. "Debt Relief for the Poorest : An OED Review of the HIPC Initiative," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 15164, December.
    12. Muhammad Mustapha Abdullahi & Nor Aznin Bt Abu Bakar & Sallahuddin B. Hassan, 2016. "Debt Overhang versus Crowding Out Effects: Understanding the Impact of External Debts on Capital Formation in Theory," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 6(1), pages 271-278.
    13. Lora, Eduardo, 2007. "Public Investment in Infrastructure in Latin America: Is Debt the Culprit?," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 1600, Inter-American Development Bank.
    14. Toan Quoc Nguyen & Mr. Benedict J. Clements & Ms. Rina Bhattacharya, 2003. "External Debt, Public Investment, and Growth in Low-Income Countries," IMF Working Papers 2003/249, International Monetary Fund.

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