Insights into the external debt, corruption and economic growth nexus: A case study

Abstract

This study basically examines the relationship between government external debt, corruption, and ECNG in selected five ASEAN countries, by estimating the magnitude and direction of the regression relationship, as well as the causal relationship. In addition, as a contribution in the direction of government and economic policymakers, this study intends to proffer recommendations as to the efficient management of public resources, in order to cushion the adverse effects of external indebtedness on other macroeconomic variables and welfare standards. Such effects include high cost of servicing, corruption, and capital flight, considering that investors fear being highly taxed when debts get to a certain level by the government. The findings of the study have revealed the fact that the the negative results on the economy, there is need for addressing the threat of increasing debt by the government through using alternative sources of capital investment. This can include economy openness for capital and relaxing the import restrictions and increased valuable exports. Investment can be increased in the domestic economy and wealth can be created through realizing the in-tax revenue from capital imported, which is against the interest payment on external debt. Moreover, the investment can increase ECNG, which results in transfer of technology to the domestic economy increasing the probability of more employment opportunities.