This article shows that the Poisson Quasi-Maximum Likelihood (QML) estimator applied to the gravity model produces estimates in which, summing across all partners, actual and estimated total trade flows are identical. Other methods such as OLS do not have this desirable property. Indeed, Poisson...

This article shows that the Poisson Quasi-Maximum Likelihood (QML) estimator applied to the gravity model produces estimates in which, summing across all partners, actual and estimated total trade flows are identical. Other methods such as OLS do not have this desirable property. Indeed, Poisson...

There is extensive econometric evidence showing that goods exporters are larger, more productive, and pay higher wages than nonexporters ('export premia'). However, evidence for firms in the services sector is much more limited. This article uses firm-level data from a range of developing...

This article uses data on 11 industries in 85 developing countries to show that trade times matter for import and export performance at the firm level. Firms import more intermediate inputs if import licensing times are shorter. They export more of their production if border clearance times are...