## Constraints on Trade in the MENA region

_IMF Working Papers, February 1, 2010_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Constraints on Trade in the MENA region](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/constraints-on-trade-in-the-mena-region-23487)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/constraints-on-trade-in-the-mena-region-23487/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/constraints-on-trade-in-the-mena-region-23487/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/constraints-on-trade-in-the-mena-region-23487/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Hirut Wolde, Rina Bhattacharya
- Published: February 1, 2010
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451962604.001

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### Research question and methodology
- Objective: Estimate gravity models to assess whether trade volumes of countries in the MENA region are significantly lower than expected given their economic, cultural and geographical characteristics.
- Method:
  - Estimate standard gravity models.
  - "Augment" the standard gravity model with relevant variables from the World Bank's Business Enterprise surveys.

### Key empirical findings
- Standard gravity-model variables:
  - Cannot explain a significant part of MENA's trade performance, particularly on exports.
- Augmented model results:
  - Variables from the World Bank's Business Enterprise surveys are important in explaining MENA underperformance in trade.
  - In particular, transport constraints and inefficiencies in customs clearance processes are identified as important explanatory factors for the region's trade underperformance.

### Thematic conclusions
- Exports: Especially affected — standard model variables do not account for the observed export shortfall.
- Trade barriers highlighted: Transport constraints and customs clearance inefficiencies emerge as major impediments to trade performance in the MENA region.

### Publication metadata (excerpt)
- Authors: Hirut Wolde, Rina Bhattacharya
- Date: February 1, 2010
- Pages: 19
- Series: Working Paper No. 2010/031
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451962604.001
- ISBN: 9781451962604
- ISSN: 1018-5941

*Source: "Constraints on Trade in the MENA region", Hirut Wolde and Rina Bhattacharya, IMF Working Papers, February 1, 2010.*

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## Content in this bundle

- **Gravity Model: Explanation of Variables**
  - [Gravity Model: Explanation of Variables (Markdown version)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/wp/2010/_wp1031.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Gravity Model: Explanation of Variables (PDF)](/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/wp/2010/_wp1031.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/constraints-on-trade-in-the-mena-region-23487_