SHORT-TERM BAYESIAN INFLATION FORECASTING FOR TUNISIA: SOME EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

In order to explain clearly inflation forecasting and the dynamic of Tunisian prices, this paper uses two econometric approaches, the Standard VAR and Bayesian VAR, to assess three models for predicting inflation, the mark-up model, the monetary model and Phillips curve over the period 1990 Q1 – 2013 Q4.In order to compare predictions, an out-of-sample estimation was conducted. We used the structural break test of Bai &Perron (1998, 2003) and the RMSE criterion for both inflation indices: CPI and PPI. We found that the BVECM mark-up model is best suited to forecast inflation for Tunisia. Our conclusions corroborate the literature of Bayesian VAR forecasting. Our findings indicate that the models which incorporate more economic information outperform the benchmark autoregressive models (AR (1) and AR (2)). The results reveal that forecasting with the BVECM markup model leads to a reduction in forecasting error compared to the other models. The results of the study are relevant to decision-makers to predict inflation in the short- and long-terms in Tunisia and may help them adopt the appropriate strategies to contain inflation

Short term Bayesian inflation forecasting for Tunisia

In order to explain clearly inflation forecasting and the dynamic of Tunisian prices, this paper uses two econometric approaches, the Standard VAR and Bayesian VAR (BVAR), to assess three models for predicting inflation, the mark-up model, the monetary model and Phillips curve over the period 1990 Q1 – 2013 Q4. In order to compare predictions, an out-of-sample estimation was conducted. We used the structural break test of Bai & Perron (1998, 2003) and the RMSE criterion for both inflation indices: CPI and PPI. We found that the Bayesian VECM mark-up model is best suited to forecast inflation for Tunisia. Our conclusions corroborate the literature of Bayesian VAR forecasting. Our findings indicate that the models which incorporate more economic information outperform the benchmark autoregressive models (AR (1) and AR (2)). The results reveal that forecasting with the BVECM markup model leads to a reduction in forecasting error compared to the other models. The results of the study are relevant to decision-makers to predict inflation in the short- and long-terms in Tunisia and may help them adopt the appropriate strategies to contain inflation

Exchange rate pass-through and monetary policy in transition economy : evidence from Tunisia with a disaggregated VAR analysis

Relying on monthly and quarterly data, from 2000 to 2015, this paper keeps up with SVAR modeling and price chain study, through a disaggregate approach that aims at analyzing the exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) on the various components of consumer price index (CPI). To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt at ERPT estimation through a disaggregate approach for the CPI. The results show that the total ERPT is about 20%. Specifically, 10% of PT on the administered prices after 2011 revolution date (6% of PT for food administered prices and 7% of PT for energy prices), which contradicts the prevailing theory that admits the inexistence of PT for administered prices. Our findings confirm the importance of a disaggregate analysis for studying ERPT to contain inflation.peer-reviewe

Short term Bayesian inflation forecasting for Tunisia

In order to explain clearly inflation forecasting and the dynamic of Tunisian prices, this paper uses two econometric approaches, the Standard VAR and Bayesian VAR (BVAR), to assess three models for predicting inflation, the mark-up model, the monetary model and Phillips curve over the period 1990 Q1 – 2013 Q4. In order to compare predictions, an out-of-sample estimation was conducted. We used the structural break test of Bai & Perron (1998, 2003) and the RMSE criterion for both inflation indices: CPI and PPI. We found that the Bayesian VECM mark-up model is best suited to forecast inflation for Tunisia. Our conclusions corroborate the literature of Bayesian VAR forecasting. Our findings indicate that the models which incorporate more economic information outperform the benchmark autoregressive models (AR (1) and AR (2)). The results reveal that forecasting with the BVECM markup model leads to a reduction in forecasting error compared to the other models. The results of the study are relevant to decision-makers to predict inflation in the short- and long-terms in Tunisia and may help them adopt the appropriate strategies to contain inflation

Exchange rate Pass-through and Monetary Policy in Transition Economy: Evidence from Tunisia with disaggregated VAR Analysis

The issue of exchange rate pass-through has raised interest in international economy, a necessary step for adopting an adequate monetary policy, which accentuated in 2000 given its impacts on the monetary policy. Yet, on the academic level, research attempts at studying small open economy in a transitory period, e.g. Tunisia, seem to bring about only a few responses. Relying on monthly and quarterly data, from 2000 to 2015, this paper keeps up with SVAR modeling and price chain study, but through two different approaches: a direct aggregate approach that aims at checking the direct impact of exchange rate transmissions on the global prices, and a disaggregate approach that aims at analyzing the exchange rate degree of transmission on the various components of consumer price. To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt at exchange rate pass-through estimation through a disaggregate approach for the consumer price indexe. The main preliminary findings show that the total exchange rate pass-through is about 20% after 2011. Specifically, 10% of pass-through on the administered prices. More accurately, there is a 6% of pass-through degree for food administered prices as well as 7% of pass-through degree for energy prices (after 2011 revolution date), which contradicts the prevailing theory that admits the inexistence of pass-through for administered prices. On the whole, our findings confirm the importance of a disaggregate analysis for studying exchange rate pass-through, and can help policy makers in Tunisia to adopt the appropriate strategies for implementing monetary policy and containing inflation

Exchange rate Pass-through and Monetary Policy in Transition Economy: Evidence from Tunisia with disaggregated VAR Analysis

The issue of exchange rate pass-through has raised interest in international economy, a necessary step for adopting an adequate monetary policy, which accentuated in 2000 given its impacts on the monetary policy. Yet, on the academic level, research attempts at studying small open economy in a transitory period, e.g. Tunisia, seem to bring about only a few responses. Relying on monthly and quarterly data, from 2000 to 2015, this paper keeps up with SVAR modeling and price chain study, but through two different approaches: a direct aggregate approach that aims at checking the direct impact of exchange rate transmissions on the global prices, and a disaggregate approach that aims at analyzing the exchange rate degree of transmission on the various components of consumer price. To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt at exchange rate pass-through estimation through a disaggregate approach for the consumer price indexe. The main preliminary findings show that the total exchange rate pass-through is about 20% after 2011. Specifically, 10% of pass-through on the administered prices. More accurately, there is a 6% of pass-through degree for food administered prices as well as 7% of pass-through degree for energy prices (after 2011 revolution date), which contradicts the prevailing theory that admits the inexistence of pass-through for administered prices. On the whole, our findings confirm the importance of a disaggregate analysis for studying exchange rate pass-through, and can help policy makers in Tunisia to adopt the appropriate strategies for implementing monetary policy and containing inflation

Time Varying VAR Analysis for Disaggregated Exchange Rate Pass-through in Tunisia

Our paper follows the "Time Varying Parameter VAR with Stochastic Volatility" (TVP VAR) approach developed by Primiceri (2005): Bayesian estimation with time varying coefficients and stochastic volatility. Our paper contributes to the literature by examining if the impact of monetary and exchange rate shocks have varied over time in Tunisia through a disaggregated analysis of exchange rate pass-through by introducing time variability in two ways; firstly, by assuming That all the coefficients of the VAR model are variant in time, and secondly, in the temporal variance-covariance matrix, that is the error term’s volatility of the VAR model. The multivariate stochastic volatility aims at capturing the heteroskedasticity of shocks and non linearities in the simultaneous relationships between the variables of the model. In fact, it allows us to capture abrupt and progressive changes in state variables. Given the structural and institutional changes in the Tunisian economy over the last few decades, it is important to emphasize the possibility of such a temporal variation in the empirical methodology. To the best of our knowledge, this work is among the first to apply the TVP-VAR approach with stochastic volatility to the shocks of monetary and exchange rate policies in Tunisia. Overall, the findings confirm that the modeling approch; i.e the TVP-VAR, is the best tool to analyze the impact of these shocks in Tunisia. The results of the study can help the short- and long-term decision-makers in Tunisia to adopt appropriate strategies for conducting monetary policy as well as containing inflation

Time Varying VAR Analysis for Disaggregated Exchange Rate Pass-through in Tunisia

Our paper follows the "Time Varying Parameter VAR with Stochastic Volatility" (TVP VAR) approach developed by Primiceri (2005): Bayesian estimation with time varying coefficients and stochastic volatility. Our paper contributes to the literature by examining if the impact of monetary and exchange rate shocks have varied over time in Tunisia through a disaggregated analysis of exchange rate pass-through by introducing time variability in two ways; firstly, by assuming That all the coefficients of the VAR model are variant in time, and secondly, in the temporal variance-covariance matrix, that is the error term’s volatility of the VAR model. The multivariate stochastic volatility aims at capturing the heteroskedasticity of shocks and non linearities in the simultaneous relationships between the variables of the model. In fact, it allows us to capture abrupt and progressive changes in state variables. Given the structural and institutional changes in the Tunisian economy over the last few decades, it is important to emphasize the possibility of such a temporal variation in the empirical methodology. To the best of our knowledge, this work is among the first to apply the TVP-VAR approach with stochastic volatility to the shocks of monetary and exchange rate policies in Tunisia. Overall, the findings confirm that the modeling approch; i.e the TVP-VAR, is the best tool to analyze the impact of these shocks in Tunisia. The results of the study can help the short- and long-term decision-makers in Tunisia to adopt appropriate strategies for conducting monetary policy as well as containing inflation

Drivers and Forecasting Inflation for Agreement Agadir Countries

The question of the determination of effective forecasting models, for macroeconomic variables, is still considered crucial for the monetary authorities. On the academic side, the interest aroused by this issue in international economics has been a subject of major debate at the center of the recent literature. This last demonstrate that predictions are crucial for the conduct of monetary policy. In order to find inflation divers and powerful models to explain clearly the dynamic of prices and inflation forecasting, this research gives special importance to inflation forecasting and represents an empirical comparison test of three models for predicting the inflation in the case of the countries of the Agadir Agreement of 2007 (Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan) : the mark-up model, the monetary model and the Phillips curve through two econometric approaches: individual time series and panel data over the period 1990 – 2013. For comparison of prevision, we used the structural break test Bai and Perron (2003) and the RMSE criterion. We show that the mark-up model is the best suited for forecasting inflation and our results confirm our expectations