The Effect of Government Policies and Public Debt on Financial Development in Iran

Empirical studies have shown that financial development triggers economic growth through various ways, hence it is of primary importance to understand factors enhancing financial sector development. Based on economic literature, government plays a key role in financial sector development through his financial policies and budget structure. This study aims to investigate Iranian government role in financial sector development through 1973-2010, using time series data and ARDL co-integration approach. The data analysis revealed that public debt might exert a negative effects on financial sector development in Iran .empirical results also show that of the four past Iranian government regimes after Islamic revolution, all of them have had significant and supportive policies towards financial sector development although these policies had been stronger during the second and the forth ones.