Home > Call for Submissions: Training Workshop on: Computable General Equilibrium Models and Policy Analysis

Call for Submissions: Training Workshop on: Computable General Equilibrium Models and Policy Analysis

Online Training on Computable General Equilibrium Models and Policy Analysis

16-17 and 23-34 July, 2025

1. Introduction
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
  • Initiation to the dynamic CGE modeling
  • Initiation to microsimulation modeling
  • Formulating scenarios and running policy simulations
  • Reporting and interpreting the results
The workshop emphasizes theory and applications. GAMS software is used for applying quantitative methods and running simulations studied on empirical economic problems through computer exercises. 
The workshop will be conducted mainly in English, with the possibility of using Arabic and French if needed. The workshop will be held over Zoom. The training will be conducted by Prof. Touhami Abdelkhalek, Prof. Dorothée Boccanfuso and Prof. Chahir Zaki. A short biography is included at the end of this announcement.

2. 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.  

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

Important dates
Deadline for submissions: June 16, 2025.
Selection results: June 30, 2025.
Training days: July 16-17 and 23-24, 2025.
 

4. Program
Day 1 (16 July): Introduction to CGE
  • 16:00-16:30 Introduction and Objectives of the Workshop
  • 16:30-17:30 Introduction to CGE models and GAMS
  • 17:30-17:45 Coffee Break
  • 17:45-19:00 Microeconomic and Macroeconomic Refreshments 
Day 2 (17 July): CGE modeling
  • 16:00-17:30 Writing a simple closed economy CGE model. GAMS Hands-On Training and Running Simulations
  • 17:30-17:45 Coffee Break
  • 17:45-19:00 Writing an open economy CGE model. GAMS Hands-On Training and Running Simulations
Day 3 (23 July): Dynamic Models
  • 16:00-17:30 Introduction to dynamic models
  • 17:30-17:45 Coffee Break
  • 17:45-19:00 Writing a dynamic CGE model. GAMS Hands-On Training and Running Simulations
Day 4 (24 July): Microsimulations
  • 16:00-17:30 What is microsimulation ? When and why use it? 
  • 17:30-17:45 Coffee Break
  • 17:45-19:00 Microsimulation in the CGE modeling context. Examples 
 

5. Readings 

A- 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. 

B- Papers 
  • Abdelkhalek, T. (2006). Trade Liberalization and Poverty in Morocco: A General Equilibrium Micro-Simulation Analysis (Liberalisation Commerciale et Pauvrete au Maroc: Une Analyse en Equilibre General Micro-simule).
  • Abdelkhalek, T., Boccanfuso, D., & Savard, L. (2009). Economic Policies, Poverty, and Inequality in Morocco: A CGE Microsimulation Analysis. Mondes en développement, 148(4), 99-118.
  • Annabi, N., Cockburn, J., and Decaluwé, B. (2004) A Sequential Dynamic CGE Model For Poverty Analysis, May, mimeo.
  • Boccanfuso, D., & Savard, L. (2012). A segmented labour supply model estimation for the construction of a CGE microsimulation model: an application to the Philippines. Margin: The Journal of Applied Economic Research, 6(2), 211-234.
  • 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 No. 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.
  • An additional reading list will be given through the course.
C- Training Materials on CGE, GAMS and SAM: 
  • Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP). Training materials in development policy modeling (MPIA). Retrieved from https://www.pep-net.org/training-material-1
  • GAMS Development Corporation. GAMS Documentation. GAMS Development Corporation: Washington, D.C, Retrieved from https://www.gams.com/25.1/docs/
  • McCarl, B., Meeraus, A., Eijk, P. van der, Bussieck, M., Dirkse, S., & Pete, S. McCarl GAMS User Guide. GAMS Development Corporation: Washington, D.C, Retrieved from https://www.kth.se/social/upload/53230bbcf27654558a68f3df/GAMS-McCarl-userguide%5B1%5D.pdf
  • Rosenthal, R. (2007). GAMS — A User’s Guide. GAMS Development Corporation: Washington, D.C. Retrieved from http://dl.icdst.org/pdfs/files3/8400af40bb7e29457587d98847678980.pdf
  • Löfgren, H. (2003a). Exercises in general equilibrium modeling using GAMS. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI): Washington, D.C. Retrieved from http://ebrary.ifpri.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15738coll2/id/62105
  • Löfgren, H. (2003b). Key to exercises in CGE modeling using GAMS. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI): Washington, D.C. Retrieved from http://ebrary.ifpri.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15738coll2/id/125402/rec/2
  • Breisinger, C., M. Thomas, and J. Thurlow. (2009). Social accounting matrices and multiplier analysis: An introduction with exercises. Food Security in Practice technical guide 5. International Food Policy Research Institute: Washington, D.C. Retrieved from http://www.ifpri.org/publication/social-accounting-matrices-and-multiplier-analysis 
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