This paper presents preliminary results of modelling the Lithuanian block of the ESCB Multi-Country Model, LT_MCM.The theoretical structure of the LT_MCM is in line with most current mainstream macro models, i.e. supply factors determine the long-run equilibrium, while output is demand...

Given that the value of China s currency has been hot topic recently, this paper explores the equilibrium levels of China s real and nominal exchange rates.Employing a Johansen cointegration framework, we focus on the behavioral equilibrium exchange rate (BEER) and permanent equilibrium exchange...

Andrei Shleifer and Daniel Treisman recently rendered a summary verdict on the post-Soviet Russian transition experience finding that the Federation had become a normal country with the west's assistance, and predicting that it would liberalize and develop further like other successful nations...

This paper seeks to fill a gap in the literature by analyzing inflation in Poland, one of only two transition economies that have adopted a strict inflation-targeting policy.The paper also introduces a new method for selecting inflation indicators. Consistent with the earlier literature,...

This paper provides micro and macroeconomic analysis of the economic role of banks in the Russian economy.Using a large panel containing Russian enterprises' balance sheet and income statement data, we evaluate the determinants of bank financing.Econometric model put out the existence of...

In this paper we utilise a large and reasonably detailed dataset to show that a greater level of democracy in a country's political institutions can alleviate the widely known resource curse.Raw material abundance affects per capita growth negatively, an effect that seems to work through several...

We review the literature on business-cycle correlation between the euro area and Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs), a topic that has gained attention in recent years as new EU entrants prepare for participation in the monetary union.Our meta-analysis suggests several CEECs already...

This paper presents results from an econometric analysis of Russian bank defaults during the period 1997 2003, focusing on the extent to which publicly available information from quarterly bank balance sheets is useful in predicting future defaults.Binary choice models are estimated to construct...

The paper reviews the recent conduct of monetary policy and the central bank’s rule-based behavior in Russia. Using different policy rules, we test whether the central bank in Russia reacts to changes in inflation, output gap and the exchange rate in a consistent and predictable manner. Our...

This paper investigates the importance of factor endowment vis-à-vis institutions in explaining the locational choice of foreign investors during the 1990s. Using dynamic panel estimation on data for transition economies, we find that low labour costs, bureaucratic efficiency...