Credit contraction and international trade: Evidence from Chilean exporters

Using data of Chilean exporting firms, this paper studies the effect of the financial crisis on the extensive and intensive margin of export in the aftermath of the crisis. The negative effect of the crisis on exports is highly heterogeneous. The evidence shows that larger exporters, belonging to industries more dependent on overall credit, have suffered disproportionately more during the crisis in terms of export growth, but less in terms of entry and exit. This has important policy implications, as public policy aiming at stimulating trade credit may not be as effective if overarching credit conditions remain subdued.