The nexus between internal and external macroeconomic imbalances: evidence from Egypt

Abstract

This paper examines the nexus between internal and external imbalances of the Egyptian economy. In fact, both the twin-deficit hypothesis (TDH) and the Feldstein–Horioka (FH) paradox are examined. Using quarterly data (between 2002 and 2014) in order to capture the short-term dynamics that might affect the Egyptian economy, a Granger causality test and an error-correction model are run in order to determine both the short-term adjustment and the long-run relationship between internal and external imbalances. Our main findings show that the TDH is rejected and a reversed causality running from the current account to the budget deficit exits. Moreover, the FH puzzle is partially rejected since Egypt, while not being perfectly integrated in the world capital market, has a high degree of capital mobility.