Export Growth and Credit Constraints

Abstract

We investigate the effect of credit constraints on the growth of exports at the micro level. We develop a stylized dynamic model showing credit constraints play a key role in early stages of exporting, but not in later stages. Our empirical results using product level data on exports to twelve European Union members and the U.S. support the model's predictions: exports from more credit constrained and riskier exporters grow faster. Export growth rates decrease with duration and converge across countries. While an important force in early stages, credit constraints affect export growth much less as the duration of exports increases.

Keywords: export growth, credit constraints

JEL Classification: F12, F14