Metas para inflação, previsões fiscais e monetárias na UEMOA

Abstract

The main objective of this thesis is to study inflation forecasting errors and the determinants of fiscal forecast error in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Concerning inflation forecasting, two periods are compared: the one in which the UEMOA (BCEAO) uses the inflation targeting model (between 2011 and 2015) and the previous period (between 1997 and 2010). In order to do so, the Mean Square Error Roots (REQMs) of different econometric models and their combinations (similar to those used in inflation forecasting of the Euro Monetary Zone) were estimated. The results show a reduction of inflation forecast errors after the implementation of the target model. Regarding the determinants of the forecast error of the budget balance in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) area between 2000 and 2015, preliminary data analysis shows that most WAEMU countries have positive forecast errors, suggesting a cautious approach to forecasting the budget balance. Thus, estimations were made through four econometric methods: Ordinary least squares in Panel (POLS), Ordinary least squares with fixed effect (FE-OLS), generalized method of moments in difference (D-GMM) and systemic generalized method of moments (S-GMM). The results show the relevance of the economic factors to explain forecast error of the budget balance, especially the forecast error of GDP. On the other hand, the hypothesis of the effect of the 2008 subprime crisis was not confirmed in the UEMOA zone. The political, institutional and governance factors were also not relevant in determining the fiscal forecast error.