The study of Factors Affecting the Export of Services Case study: Export of Technical and Engineering Services

In recent decades and especially in developing countries, the trade of services has faced an increasing trend. The export of services can improve trade balance, economic growth, employment as well as development of merchandise sector. This paper uses a descriptive and analytical approach and intends to evaluate performance and factors affecting the total export of services and particularly the export of technical and engineering services in OIC selected countries by applying panel data method.The results of estimating the performance indicators and comparative advantage of technical and engineering services export indicate that between years 1994 to 2010, Iran's position among these countries has improved. In our analysis, factors such as GDP per capita, real effective exchange rates, inflow of foreign investments, communication infrastructures and also being member of two trade blocs -ECO and D8- have significant and positive effect on the total export of services and also the export of engineering services. Thus, it is necessity for governmental institutions and private sector in Iran to plan and prepare to further develop the export of services.