5 External Debt, Public Investment, and Growth in Low-Income Countries

Abstract

The relationship between external debt and growth continues to attract considerable interest from policymakers and academics alike. A large number of heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs) are now receiving debt relief under the HIPC and enhanced HIPC Initiatives. This, in turn, has revived the debate over the impact of a high external debt burden on economic growth. Indeed, one of the principal motivations for debt-relief initiatives stems from the presumed deleterious impact of a heavy debt burden on per capita income growth.

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The Role of Fiscal Policy
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