Contributions

  • Tressel, Thierry. - Contributor
  • International Monetary Fund. Research Dept. - Contributor

Publication

2006 - International Monetary Fund, Research Dept., Washington, D.C, District of Columbia

Language

English

Word Count

15,750 words, Guess

Page Count

63 pages

Identifiers

Description

This paper studies how macroeconomic policies can help offset two unintended and undesirable features of foreign aid: its volatility and Dutch disease. We present evidence that aid volatility augments trade balance volatility and that foreign aid, with the important exception of years of adverse shocks, depresses exports. We also find that these effects can be mitigated through changes in net domestic assets of the central bank-a variable that reflects both monetary and fiscal policy. To characterize the optimal policy, we develop a general equilibrium model in which the capital account is closed and aid influences productivity growth through positive (public expenditure) and negative (Dutch disease) externalities. In this setting, macroeconomic policies permanently affect real variables and can improve welfare if donors do not distribute foreign aid optimally over time.

Subjects

Series Statement

  • IMF working paper -- WP/06/145

Links

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