Working Paper Series,
Sveriges Riksbank (Central Bank of Sweden)

Abstract: Two-sector models with traded and non-traded goods have problems accounting for the stylized fact that the real exchange rate appreciates and consumption booms for several years following trade liberalization, or exchange-rate-based stabilization programs, in small open economies. The paper studies three potential solutions to this ‘price-consumption puzzle’ and evaluates their quantitative importance in calibrated simulations of Spain’s accession to the European Community in 1986. Extending the standard two-sector framework, the paper investigates the effects of relative productivity growth in the traded sector along the lines of Balassa-Samuelson, of time-to-build, and of habit formation in preferences. In contrast to previous studies, we find that habit formation on its own does not enable the model to account for the observed real exchange rate and consumption dynamics. The analysis shows that a calibrated version of the model augmented with all three mechanisms can account for much of the price-consumption dynamics after trade liberalization, without losing explanatory power for other real variables in the Spanish economy after 1986.

Keywords: Non-traded goods; Balassa-Samuelsson; Time-to-build; Habit formation; Dynamic general equilibrium

JEL-codes: C68; F41

45 pages, July 1, 2005

Full text files

WP_187.pdf  

Download statistics

• Sveriges Riksbank (Central Bank of Sweden)
• Ordering Working Papers
• Home page for this series

Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to Lena Löfgren ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().

RePEc:hhs:rbnkwp:0187This page generated on 2024-09-13 22:16:57.