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How does the flow of remittances affect the trade balance of the Middle East and North Africa?

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  • Mohammad Reza Farzanegan
  • Sherif Maher Hassan

Abstract

The Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) economies have one of the highest degrees of dependency on received remittances worldwide. In this study, we have examined the role of remittances in the trade balance of 11 labour abundant MENA countries. Our panel regression analysis showed that the inflow of remittances has fostered the trade deficit. We also found that the final effect of remittances depends on the level of domestic capital formation. The results are robust after controlling for other drivers of trade deficit such as income, inflation, exchange rate and institutions as well as country and year fixed effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad Reza Farzanegan & Sherif Maher Hassan, 2020. "How does the flow of remittances affect the trade balance of the Middle East and North Africa?," Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 248-266, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jpolrf:v:23:y:2020:i:2:p:248-266
    DOI: 10.1080/17487870.2019.1609357
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    2. Kabinet Kaba & Mahamat Moustapha, 2021. "Remittances and firm performance in sub-Saharan Africa : evidence from firm-level data," Working Papers hal-03515100, HAL.
    3. Muzammil, Muhammad, 2020. "A Comparison of Agricultural, Industrial and Services Sector Impact on Trade Balance: A Case Study of Pakistan," MPRA Paper 95750, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Cynthia TABET & Michel ROCCA & Bachir EL MURR, 2022. "Transferts de fonds et effet boomerang : le cas du Liban (1990-2016)," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 55, pages 133-148.
    5. Boburmirzo Ibrokhimov & Rashid Javed & Mazhar Mughal, 2023. "Migrants remittances and fertility in the Post-Soviet states," Post-Communist Economies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(6), pages 574-596, August.
    6. Mohammad Reza Farzanegan & Sherif Maher Hassan & Ribal Abi Raad, 2017. "Causes and Impacts of Remittances: Household Survey Evidence from Egypt," MAGKS Papers on Economics 201737, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    7. Sherif M. Hassan, 2020. "Revisiting the Development Impact of Sectorally Disaggregated Foreign Aid," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(2), pages 123-149, June.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • F24 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Remittances

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