Egypt’s Export Performance: Do Product Diversification and Exchange Rate Matter?

المؤلفون

Reham Rizk
John Owusu-Afriyie

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Egypt’s Export Performance: Do Product Diversification and Exchange Rate Matter?

Abstract

This chapter examines how exchange rate and product diversification influence Egypt’s export performance. It also analyzes the effect of exchange rate on export diversification. We uncover three key findings using a gravity model and bilateral trade data between Egypt and 190 trade partners from 1996 to 2022. First, exchange rate depreciation positively affects export value and volume, with the bilateral nominal exchange rate explaining higher variations in both the value and volume of exports than the real effective exchange rate (REER). Second, product diversification significantly enhances export performance across value and volume dimensions, suggesting its potential as a driver of export growth. Third, exchange rate depreciation enhances export diversification by expanding product variety, though this relationship is more pronounced for bilateral nominal exchange rate than REER. Thus, the policy implications are that: effective exchange rate management, product diversification and leveraging on WTO frameworks can enhance export performance in Egypt.

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