Economic Research and Perspectives

Economic Research and Perspectives

Natural Resource Abundance, Financial Development and Economic Growth (An Iranian Experience)

Author
majid aghaei
Associate professor of financial economics at University of Mazandaran, Mazandaran, Iran
10.22034/24.3.61
Abstract
Introduction

Financial development is one of the effective factors on economic growth in different countries. The relationship between financial development and economic growth is influenced by various parameters and the economic structure of countries. One of the factors that can affect this relationship is the natural resource abundance and the degree of dependence on them. According to economic literature, natural resource abundance can impact financial efficiency, capital accumulation, and the optimal allocation and effectiveness of financial resources, thereby influencing the relationship between financial development and economic growth in resource-rich countries. This study aims to explore the impact of natural resource abundance on the relationship between economic growth and financial development through productivity in Iran.

Methodology

In order to investigate and empirically analyze the long-term and short-term dynamic relationship between variables, this research employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounding test approach. The ARDL Bounding test method was developed by Pesaran and Shin (1999) and Pesaran et al. (2001). This method offers advantages over other conventional and previous cointegration methods, such as Johansen and Toda-Yamamoto approaches. Some advantages include applicability regardless of considering the order of cointegration between variables, its ability to handle cases where variables are I(0) or I(1), suitability for limited sample sizes, obtaining efficient estimates without risk of over-specification in long-run model relationships, and presenting a reduced form single-equation form rather than a systemic one for the long-run relationship.

Results and Discussion

Based on the results obtained from the research, financial development has not shown a significant impact on economic growth in Iran during the study period. This suggests that institutions and financial entities, particularly the banking system, have not effectively channeled financial resources towards productive investments and market stimulation. However, the abundance index of natural resources has demonstrated a positive and significant influence on economic growth.

Considering the substantial portion of Iran's GDP that is attributed to oil revenues, such a finding is not unexpected. The per capita capital impact on economic growth is also positive and statistically significant. Among the effective factors on economic growth in this study, this variable has exerted the most considerable impact, indicating that capital plays a crucial role in boosting economic growth in Iran. Estimating the factors affecting total factor productivity (which is calculated using the Solow method) also indicates that financial development has had a positive impact on total factor productivity during the study period. However, the ultimate impact of financial development on productivity is influenced by oil revenues, as per the estimated model. The negative and significant coefficient of the interaction variable between financial development and natural resource abundance suggests a negative effect of oil revenues on the relationship between financial development and productivity in Iran. This result could imply an indirect impact of resource abundance on the financial development-economic growth relationship through the productivity channel during the study period in Iran.

Furthermore, it signifies that the heavy dependence on oil, one of the most vital avenues for economic growth, has eroded the relationship with financial development. Hence, the research hypothesis, suggesting that the abundance of natural resources (oil dependence) weakens the relationship between financial development and economic growth in Iran due to its negative impact on productivity, is validated, and the "resource curse" hypothesis is confirmed for the study period in Iran.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that financial development had a positive and significant impact on total factor productivity in Iran. However, ultimately, it did not have a significant impact on economic growth. This is due to the abundance of natural resources (oil revenues) leading to a reduction in the positive influence of financial development on total factor productivity. As a consequence, it weakens the relationship between financial development and economic growth during the examined period in Iran. Based on these findings, it is plausible to confirm the hypothesis of the "resource curse" during the examined period in Iran.

The findings can encompass a set of policy recommendations for the Iranian economy. Firstly, the government should be aware of the indirect negative impact of oil dependence on the financial system and, consequently, on investment activities. It is logical for the government to maintain the degree of oil dependence at the lowest possible level, enhance economic diversification, and increase the contribution of other sectors to GDP growth. Additionally, the financial system should engage more in productive investment activities to strengthen its role in improving economic growth. In this regard, policymakers should pursue measures that facilitate improvement of banking intermediation efficiency.

Furthermore, one of the most significant mechanisms of the resource curse in oil-dependent economies is the mismanagement of these resources and neglect of human development. Easy access to oil revenues might exempt the government from investing in human capital development, which could potentially have a negative impact on the performance of the financial sector and other sectors of the economy. Therefore, it is recommended that policymakers prioritize the necessary prerequisites for enhancing human development, which plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity and investment efficiency.
Keywords
Natural Resource Abundance
Financial Development
Productivity
economic growth
ARDL Estimator

Subjects

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Economic Research and Perspectives
Volume 24, Issue 3
Autumn 2024
Pages 61-96