Financial Liberalization, Structural Change, and Real Exchange Rate Appreciations

Author/Editor:

Felipe Meza ; Carlos Urrutia

Publication Date:

March 1, 2010

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

We account for the appreciation of the real exchange rate in Mexico between 1988 and 2002 using a two sector dynamic general equilibrium model of a small open economy with two driving forces: (i) differential productivity growth across sectors and (ii) a decline in the cost of borrowing in foreign markets. These two mechanisms account for 60 percent of the decline in the relative price of tradable goods and explain a large fraction of the reallocation of labor across sectors. We do not find a significant role for migration remittances, foreign reserves accumulation, government spending, terms of trade, or import tariffs.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2010/063

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

March 1, 2010

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451982077/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2010063

Pages:

40

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