Dynamic Modelling of the Current Accounts: Evidence from the Caribbean

This paper uses time series and pooled data to estimate the current account function of a non-oil developing country (Barbados) and an oil dependent economy (Trinidad and Tobago). The pooled data reveals that the terms of trade (TOT), the government variable (BSGDP), foreign incomes (FGDP), the prime rate and long term capital flows (LTKGDP) are significant variables. The cointegration-error correction model suggests that in Trinidad and Tobago, the exchange rate, BSGDP and FGDP are important explanatory variables; for Barbados, TOT and the BSGDP ratio are influential in the long-run while the latter ratio and LTKGDP are important short run regressors. [F10, F11]