Qualité des Institutions et Commerce International: Évidence à Partir des Exportations de l'UEMOA

This study shows the role of institutions quality in expanding international trade within WAEMU member states. Analyzing all WAEMU member states and their main export partners from 1996 to 2007, I find two results. First, institution quality according to corruption level, government effectiveness and rule of law are becoming worst and worst in WAEMU on the period. Second, taking into account a sequential behavior of exporters, they decide to export according to their perception of institutional environment, then they choose the amount of their shipment considering economic variables, I show that this poor quality of institutions is not an obstacle to expanding exports within WAEMU member states. Particularly, corruption encourages exports flows.