Determinants of Malaysia – BRICS trade linkages: gravity model approach

The main objective of this study is to explore the long-run and short-run relationship between trade and other macroeconomic variables of Malaysian and the BRICS countries. To test relationship between trade and other macroeconomic variables, the empirical investigation will be conducted based on the dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) and fully modify ordinary least square (FMOLS) model for the period 1980-2015. Results of both DOLS and FMOLS show that out of all the variables included in the model distance between Malaysia and BRICS countries and corruption of both side have negative affect on bilateral trade between them. Whereas, GDP, GDP per capita and trade to GDP ratio are positively contribute in the bilateral trade. However, inflation and exchange rate of Malaysia and BRCIS countries have no effect on the bilateral trade between Malaysia and BRICS countries. The findings suggest that economic strengthening as the basis for increase in trade between Malaysia and BRICS members. Investment appears to be complementary to the trading relations in the Malaysia-BRICS case. The social capital also plays role in supporting the trade