The Export-Led Growth Hypothesis. New Evidence and Implications

Scientific Study from the year 2015 in the subject Business economics - Miscellaneous, University of Botswana, course: Macroeconomics, language: English, abstract: Previous studies on economic growth have shown that countries that relied on exports to propel their economies have been successful in achieving robust economic growth. This study considers Botswanäs mineral exports production from 2003 Q1 to 2012 Q4 and relates each export commodity with the GDP. This study applies the Johansen co-integration test and the Granger causality test to determine the applicability of the export-led growth hypothesis for the Botswana economy. The co-integration test shows that there is long run co-movement between GDP and four of Botswanäs mineral exports namely: matte; diamonds; copper; nickel and soda ash. In addition, the Granger causality test shows that Botswanäs economy propels exports production. From these results, the study nullifies the export-led growth hypothesis and postulates that the Botswana economy rather follows the growth-driven exports hypothesis (GDE). The study further postulates recommendations and also potential areas of research.