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Tests of Income Convergence in ASEAN and SAARC Trading Blocs

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  • Uzma Zia
  • Zafar Mahmood

Abstract

The cherished goal of speedy economic growth in the Asian regional blocs cannot be achieved without attaining income convergence among them. Economic integration and assessment of income convergence or disparities among Asian blocs is the aim of this study. This study assesses a number of factors, such as trade openness, foreign direct investment, intellectual property rights protection and governance, to see how open economies are integrating themselves while competing with each other. Findings reveal that the SAARC group has not shown intra-regional income convergence, while the ASEAN group provides sufficient evidence. Although simultaneously considering SAARC and ASEAN groups in the form of a panel, there is evidence of non-convergence between the two regional groups. An important policy implication of the study is that the ASEAN and SAARC blocs are in dire need for combined and collective policy framework at the regional level. JEL: O19, O31, F15

Suggested Citation

  • Uzma Zia & Zafar Mahmood, 2019. "Tests of Income Convergence in ASEAN and SAARC Trading Blocs," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 20(2), pages 167-183, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:soueco:v:20:y:2019:i:2:p:167-183
    DOI: 10.1177/1391561419858239
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    1. Priyanka Dutta & Hemanta Barman, 2022. "Services sector growth and interstate income divergence in India," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 995-1015, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Asian regional blocs; income convergence/divergence; ASEAN; SAARC; trade openness; intellectual property rights protection;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration

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