EFFECTS OF THE CUSTOMS UNION ON COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE OF TURKISH MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of the customs union (CU) on the comparative advantage of the Turkish manufacturing industry for the period 1988 to 2008. The revealed comparative advantage is analyzed with respect to twelve old European Union countries (EU) and the enlarged EU with the inclusion of new member states. In this study, both the effects of the CU and the enlargement process of the EU are analyzed using the panel data estimation method covering 45 cross-section units by taking into account that domestic factors of Turkey’s comparative advantage, real effective exchange rates, and a manufacturing sector wage index. The results show that the CU and wages has created a positive effect on Turkey’s comparative advantage. However, real exchange rates created negative effects for the comparative advantage of Turkish industry due to the appreciation of the Turkish Lira throughout the time period.