Export-led Growth Hypothesis in MINT Countries: A Panel Cointegration Analysis

Abstract

The contribution of exports to GDP in MINT countries that improve substantially just after their implantation of export promotion strategy in the late 1980s raises the issue of whether the growth in these countries is led by export or not. While a good number of studies have been found investigating whether economic growth is promoted by exports for developing countries having an outstanding share of export in GDP, no study investigating the export-led growth hypothesis for MINT countries has been found until recent times. The main purpose of this study is to fill up the void. The study employs panel cointegration technique with an aim to examine whether the export is the key factor of economic growth for MINT countries employing yearly secondary data that covers the period. Results of the study imply that economic growth of these countries is considerably exports driven. Moreover, there is an indication of improvement of efficiency as exports work along with the rise capital formation. As the employment opportunity of an economy is expanded through capital formation, the emerging MINT countries endowed with large population and favorable demographics are expected to become the major exporters with strong GDP growth by being able to attract adequate foreign investment.