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Governance and Private Investment in the Middle East and North Africa

Author

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  • Ahmet Faruk Aysan

    (Departement Economie - Université Bocarici)

  • M.-K. Nabli

    (Departement Economie - Université Bocarici)

  • Marie-Ange Véganzonès-Varoudakis

    (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne)

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of the low level of private investment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with special emphasis on the role of governance. Based on the existing literature, we have categorized what types of governance institutions are more detrimental to entrepreneurial investments. We have then estimated a simultaneous model of private investment and governance quality where economic policies concurrently explain both variables. Our empirical results show that governance plays a significant role in private investment decisions. This result is particularly true in the case of "Administrative Quality" in the form of control of corruption, bureaucratic quality, investment-friendly profile of administration, and law and order, as well as for "Political Stability". Evidence in favor of "Public Accountability" seems, however, less robust. Our estimations also stress that structural reforms -- such as financial development and trade openness – and human development affect private investment decisions directly, and/or through their positive impact on governance. These findings bring new empirical evidence on the subject of private investment in the developing world and in MENA countries in particular.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmet Faruk Aysan & M.-K. Nabli & Marie-Ange Véganzonès-Varoudakis, 2011. "Governance and Private Investment in the Middle East and North Africa," CERDI Working papers halshs-00557250, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:cdiwps:halshs-00557250
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    2. Ahmet Aysan & Marie-Ange Véganzonès –Varoudakis & Zeynep Ersoy, 2007. "What Types of Perceived Governance Indicators Matter the Most for Private Investment in Middle East and North Africa," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 5(8), pages 1-16.
    3. Ahmet Faruk Aysan & Zeynep Ersoy & M-A Veganzones-Varoudakis, 2007. "Does the Perception of Governance Institutions Matter for Private Investment: The Case of Middle East and North Africa," Working Papers 2007/03, Bogazici University, Department of Economics.
    4. Alaya MAROUANE & Dalila NICET-CHENAF & Eric ROUGIER, 2008. "The law of growth and attraction: an endogenous model of absorptive capacities, FDI and income for MENA countries," Cahiers du GREThA (2007-2019) 2008-27, Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée (GREThA).
    5. José Aixalá & Gema Fabro, 2009. "Economic freedom, civil liberties, political rights and growth: a causality analysis," Spanish Economic Review, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 11(3), pages 165-178, September.
    6. Dalila Nicet-Chenaf & Eric Rougier, 2009. "FDI and growth: a new look at a still puzzling issue," Post-Print hal-00798473, HAL.
    7. Enowbi Batuo, Michael & Fabro, Gema, 2009. "Economic Development, Institutional Quality and Regional integration: Evidence from Africa Countries," MPRA Paper 19069, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Rafael Alexis Acevedo Rueda & José U. Mora Mora, 2008. "Sociopolitical and judicial factors as determinants of private investment in Latin America," Economía, Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales (IIES). Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales. Universidad de Los Andes. Mérida, Venezuela, vol. 33(26), pages 93-118, july-dece.
    9. Ahsan Abbas & Eatzaz Ahmed & Fazal Husain, 2019. "Political and Economic Uncertainty and Investment Behaviour in Pakistan," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 58(3), pages 307-331.

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    Keywords

    governance; private investment; institutions; Middle East and North Africa.; Middle East and North Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation

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