DRIVERS OF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE: DO INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY AND FINANCIAL LIBERALIZATION MATTER? EVIDENCE FROM SANE AND ASIAN TIGERS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of financial liberalization and institutional quality on the economic performance of the Asian Tigers and the SANE countries. The study used annual series that spanned the period from 1996-2020 under the framework of FMOLS. Findings of the study revealed that in the Asian Tigers, FDI inflows, FDI outflows, capital account openness and governance effectiveness had a positive and significant impact on the GDP per capita, but the impact of political stability was negative and significant. Results for the SANE countries indicated that both FDI inflows and trade openness impacted positively and significantly on the GDP per capita, while the impact of capital account openness was negative and significant. Consequently, the study is of the view that while it will be necessary for the SANE countries to upgrade their institutions in order to reap the benefits of financial openness, the Asian Tigers should stabilize their polity to improve their economy. Keywords: Institutional quality, FDI, GDP per capita, Financial development, Trade openness, Asian Tigers. JEL Classification: E02, F21, F43