- Journal of Business Economics and Finance
- Vol: 5 Issue: 4
- THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCHANGE RATE AND INFLATION: THE CASE OF WESTERN BALKANS COUNTRIES
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCHANGE RATE AND INFLATION: THE CASE OF WESTERN BALKANS COUNTRIES
Authors : Besnik Fetai, Paul Sergius Koku, Agron Caushi, Ariana Fetai
Pages : 360-364
Doi:10.17261/Pressacademia.2017.358
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Publication Date : 2016-12-30
Article Type : Research
Abstract :The paper investigates empirically the relationships between exchange rates and inflation in Western Balkan countries. The literature on the transition countries has recently focused on exchange rate as a shock absorber and downplayed its costs to macroeconomic stabilization. However, the decision to apply a different exchange rate regime depends on the costs and benefits in giving up an exchange rate instrument. With this in mind, the objective of this study is to determine whether fixed exchange rates play a significant role in inflationary performance or whether flexible exchange rates perform as a better shock-absorbing instrument in the Western Balkans. The result reveals that an exchange rate is still the main source of inflationary pressures in Western Balkan countries. Thus policy makers must weigh the relative costs and benefits associated with introducing a flexible exchange rate in small open economies because such regime is likely to incur more costs than benefits.Keywords : Transition economies, Western Ballkan Countries, exchange rate, inflation