04450oam 22010094 450 991082306170332120240410162758.01-4623-8512-51-4527-2189-01-283-51816-31-4519-0885-79786613830616(CKB)3360000000443985(EBL)3014489(SSID)ssj0000940712(PQKBManifestationID)11495544(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000940712(PQKBWorkID)10956017(PQKB)11326928(OCoLC)694141172(MiAaPQ)EBC3014489(IMF)WPIEE2006090(EXLCZ)99336000000044398520020129d2006 uf 0engur|n|---|||||txtccrWhat is Fuzzy About Clustering in West Africa? /Mahvash Qureshi, Charalambos Tsangarides1st ed.Washington, D.C. :International Monetary Fund,2006.1 online resource (45 p.)IMF Working Papers"March 2006."1-4518-6350-0 Includes bibliographical references.""Contents""; ""I. INTRODUCTION""; ""II. BACKGROUND""; ""III. METHODOLOGY""; ""IV. DATA AND VARIABLES""; ""V. EMPIRICAL RESULTS""; ""VI. CONCLUSION AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS""; ""References""Applying techniques of clustering analysis to a set of variables suggested by the convergence criteria and the theory of optimal currency areas, this paper looks for country homogeneities to assess membership in the existing and proposed monetary unions of the broader west African region. Our analysis reveals considerable dissimilarities in the economic characteristics of the countries in west and central Africa. In particular, the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) countries do not form a cluster with the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries; and, within the WAMZ, there is a significant lack of homogeneity. Furthermore, when west and central African countries are considered together, we find significant heterogeneities within the CFA franc zone, and some interesting similarities between the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) and WAMZ countries. Overall, our findings raise some questions about the geographical boundaries of several existing and proposed monetary unions.IMF Working Papers; Working Paper ;No. 2006/090Monetary unionsAfrica, WestEconometric modelsMoneyAfrica, WestExports and ImportsimfForeign ExchangeimfMacroeconomicsimfFinancial Aspects of Economic IntegrationimfEmpirical Studies of TradeimfPrices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles: General (includes Measurement and Data)imfInternational economicsimfCurrencyimfForeign exchangeimfEconomic growthimfMonetary unionsimfTerms of tradeimfExchange ratesimfReal exchange ratesimfBusiness cyclesimfEconomic policyimfnternational cooperationimfNigeriaimfMonetary unionsEconometric models.MoneyExports and ImportsForeign ExchangeMacroeconomicsFinancial Aspects of Economic IntegrationEmpirical Studies of TradePrices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles: General (includes Measurement and Data)International economicsCurrencyForeign exchangeEconomic growthMonetary unionsTerms of tradeExchange ratesReal exchange ratesBusiness cyclesEconomic policynternational cooperationQureshi Mahvash1610664Tsangarides Charalambos1462110International Monetary Fund.African Dept.DcWaIMFBOOK9910823061703321What is Fuzzy About Clustering in West Africa3957655UNINA