Our main contribution in this paper consists of analyzing long-run interactions between structural policies and economic growth accounting for possible convergence. For this purpose, we are based on a sample of eight countries bordering the Mediterranean during the period 1975-2012. In fact, we used a technique based on panel ARDL methods which deals with the stationary series problem of different orders to monitor possible convergence in the longrun horizon. This method allows us to study potential long-term effects of structural economic policies on growth as well as capture the possible links between candidate variables and the trend of convergence in terms of per capita ABOUT THE AUTHORS

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The present work analyzes the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) and corruption on the quality of the environment in the MENA region. Indeed, the magnitude of corruption and the quality of institutions are often cited as the main factors affecting the FDI inflow. Here, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach was used to examine data on a group of MENA countries from 1990 to 2016. Our findings verify the Environmental Kuznets Curve. Furthermore, the empirical estimates approve the “pollution haven” hypothesis, which postulates that the polluting industrial activities of developed countries shift to developing countries which have less stringent environmental regulations. Based on the study findings, we recommend greater awareness of the harmful effects of corruption among political and economic actors.

This paper investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) and corruption on the environmental pollution in Tunisia over the period 1984-2014 by applying an autoregressive distributed lag model. Our results revealed the existence of Environmental Kuznets Curve in Tunisian case. The pollution haven hypothesis postulates that polluting industrial activity in developed countries is shifting to developing countries with less stringent environmental regulations. This hypothesis has been proved. Hence, this study advises to make more aware to the negative effect of corruption. Overall, to improve environmental quality, the findings suggest that Tunisia should promote energy efficiency with sustainable growth. Therefore, results show that Tunisia should encourage more FDI inflows particularly in technology-intensive and environment-friendly industries.

This article analyses the current situation of water management in Tunisia focusing on constraints to which this management is subject. The empirical results show the absence of a long-term equilibrium between production capacity and consumption patterns. This imbalance is characterized by a deficiency in the quantity of water produced, that is to say that the quantities applied for exceed those produced for future projection. Currently, as the closer one gets to a full phenomenon which is the use of available resources, a trend towards unconventional resources such as treated wastewater (TW) may solve the problem although partially.

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The purpose of this article is to propose an empirical study that allows the determination of the threshold effects of financial development and economic development to reduce poverty. Our study, based on the PTR model developed by Hansen (1999), will be carried out on a sample of 49 countries, over the period 2004-2017. The main results show that the effect of financial development on poverty is a function of levels of economic development and financial development. The results conclude that threshold levels associated with financial development and economic development are necessary to have a significant reduction in poverty. Thus, economic policies aiming to promote financial development are necessary in poverty reduction strategies; theses economic policies must be sufficient to place the economy above the thresholds and successfully fight poverty.