Trade Openness, Government Spending, Institutions and Their Effects on Economic Growth in Selected MENA Countries

  • Saif Mohammad Alqahtani

Student thesis: Master's ThesisMaster of Arts (MA)

Abstract

The objective of this study to examine how import, export, government spending, and institutions impact on economic growth. Of the four selected North African countries, (Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia), six periods of five years from 1985-2015, we used the panel data model. In this model, we used panel data which consist of random effect and fixed effect, based on Hausman test, we selected one of them. The GDP per capita growth was used as a dependent and import, export, government spending as independent main variables. Also, gross capital formation (GCF), inflation, population growth, and HDI which consist of life expectancy, education and per capita income indicators as control variables. The governance indicators which consist of (Rule of law, Control of Corruption, Government Effectiveness, Political Stability, Regulatory Quality, Voice accountability) was used as interaction term with the main independent variables. This study primarily examines, past studies on this same topic sought to establish a link between these parameters and the countries dubbed the "giants" of North Africa. The countries also show dissimilarities in their political and social development. While the dominant trade commodities in the Algerian economy are the gas and oil sectors, those of the other countries (Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia) depends on light industry, tourism, and agriculture. This paper uses the past research on the link between the stated economic factors and economic growth in North Africa to highlight new insights of the area.
Date of Award2018
Original languageAmerican English
Awarding Institution
  • Eastern Illinois University
SupervisorAhmed Abou-Zaid (Supervisor)

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Economics and Econometrics

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