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ERF Training Workshop on Computable General Equilibrium Models and Policy Analysis

FromNov 08, 2019 To Nov 10, 2019

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The aim of the workshop is to provide participants with the basic tools for constructing and implementing a general equilibrium model for policy analysis. This will enable them to answer relevant research questions at both the academic and policy levels.

By the end of the training, participants will have acquired detailed knowledge and hands-on experience in CGE models, in particular:

  • The structure of open economy general equilibrium models
  • Calibrating a CGE model
  • Implementing the model using the GAMS software
  • Modeling trade, fiscal and environmental policies
  • Formulating scenarios and running policy simulations
  • Reporting and interpreting the results

The training emphasizes theory and applications. GAMS software is used for applying the quantitative methods and running simulations studied on empirical economic problems through computer exercises. Participants will be asked to download the free version of GAMS software.

The workshop will be conducted by Prof. Chahir Zaki. It will be conducted mainly in English, with the possibility of using Arabic and French if needed.

ERF will cover the cost of travel and accommodation of successful applicants.

Eligibility

Applicants should be:

  • Researchers from the ERF region with MAs or PhDs or in the process of completing these degrees
  • Less than 40 years of age
  • Trained in statistics, economics and mathematics and able to use statistical programs
  • Familiar with the management and analysis of macroeconomic datasets
  • Priority will be given to those who have not attended previous ERF workshops

Application procedure

Applications must include a curriculum vitae (CV) with a minimum of one reference name and a motivation letter indicating why the candidate is interested in the topic of the workshop and how it relates to his/her research.

Deadline for submissions: September 30, 2019.

Apply online here

Program

Day 1:

09:00-10:00 Introduction and Objectives of the Workshop
10:00-11:00 Introduction to CGE models
11:00-11:30 Coffee Break
11:30-12:30 Microeconomic Refreshments
12:30-13:30 Lunch Break
13:30-15:00 Macroeconomic Refreshments
15:00-15:15 Coffee Break
15:15-17:00 Social Accounting Matrices

Day 2:

09:00-10:30 Writing a simple closed economy CGE model
10.30-11.00 Coffee Break
11.00-12:30 GAMS Hands-On Training
12:30-13:30 Lunch Break
13.30-15.00 Writing a simple closed economy CGE model with the government
15.00-15.30 Coffee Break
15.30-17.00 GAMS Hands-On Training

Day 3:

09:00-10:30 Writing an open economy CGE model
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11.00-12:30 GAMS Hands-On Training
12:30-13:30 Lunch Break
13:30-15:00 Dynamic models
15.00-15:30 Coffee Break
15.30-17:00 GAMS Hands-On Training

 

Readings

Textbooks

  • Burfisher, M. (2011) “Introduction to Computable General Equilibrium Models” Cambridge University Press.
  • Dixon, Peter B., and Dale Jorgenson, eds. Handbook of computable general equilibrium modeling. Newnes, 2012.
  • Savard, L., Decaluwé, B. and Martens, A. (2003) La politique économique du développement et les modèles d’équilibre général calculable, Les presses de l’université de Montréal.

Papers

  • Annabi, N., Cockburn, J., and Decaluwé, B. (2004) A Sequential Dynamic CGE Model For Poverty Analysis, May, mimeo.
  • Decaluwé, B., Lemelin, A., Maisonnave, H., and Robichaud, V. (2010) “The PEP Standard Computable General Equilibrium Model: Single Country Recursive Dynamic Version PEP1-t”, Poverty and Economic Policy Research Network, mimeo, January.
  • Decaluwé, B., Lemelin, A., Maisonnave, H., and Robichaud, V. (2009) The PEP Standard Computable General Equilibrium Model: Single Country Static Version PEP1-1, Poverty and Economic Policy Research Network, mimeo, October.
  • Konan, D. and Maskus, K. (1996) A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis of Egyptian Trade Liberalization Scenarios, World Bank Working Paper 97-1, August.
  • Konan, D. and Maskus, K. (1997) Trade Liberalization in Egypt, Review of Development Economics 1 (3), 275-293.
  • Marouani, Mohamed Ali. “Ouverture commerciale et emploi: un modèle d’équilibre général avec salaires d’efficience appliqué à la Tunisie.” Revue économique (2000): 557-569.
  • Marouani, M. A. (2002). Imperfections du marché du travail et modèles d’équilibre général calculables: une revue de littérature. Document de Travail DIAL DT/2002/16.
  • Zaki, C. (2014) “An Empirical Assessment of the Trade Facilitation Impact: New Econometric Evidence and Global Economic Effects”, World Trade Review, volume 13, issue 01, pages 103-130.
  • Zaki, C. (2013) “Trade Facilitation and Corruption: A CGE Model of Egypt”, Journal of North African Studies, vol. 18 no.1, pages 70-111.
  • Additional reading list will be given through the course.

Biography 

Chahir Zaki is an Associate Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University. In this position, Chahir teaches and conducts research on trade policy and macroeconomics. He is also the Director of the French section at the faculty. Chahir works also for the Economic Research Forum (Cairo, Egypt) as a part-time senior economist and as a consultant for several international organization (the World Bank and the International Trade Center (UNCTAD-WTO, Geneva) and ESCWA). He holds a B.A. in Economics from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, an M.A. in Economics from Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne. His research interests include international trade, trade policy, trade in services, applied economics and macroeconomic modeling. He has published numerous studies in the International Trade Journal, the World Trade Review, Economic Modeling and Applied Economics.