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International trade in services: Evidence for Portuguese firms

Author

Listed:
  • João Amador
  • Sónia Cabral
  • Birgitte Ringstad

Abstract

This paper describes the main features of Portuguese international trade of non-tourism services, using a new transaction-level database on services trade merged with detailed balance-sheet data. We find that a few two-way traders with diversified service and geographical portfolios account for a substantial share of exports and imports. Compared with one-way traders, two-way traders are larger, older, more productive and more profitable. We also unveil new evidence on the bi-modality of the distributions of export intensity, with density concentrating on both ends of the distribution. Moreover, considering all margins of firms' services trade and controlling for several firm characteristics, the intensive margins of exports and imports of services are positively related to both productivity and profitability. Regarding the extensive margins, the number of different types of services imported by a firm is also positively associated with its performance.

Suggested Citation

  • João Amador & Sónia Cabral & Birgitte Ringstad, 2018. "International trade in services: Evidence for Portuguese firms," Working Papers w201810, Banco de Portugal, Economics and Research Department.
    • Handle: RePEc:ptu:wpaper:w201810
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    References listed on IDEAS

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