Trade Partner Choosing; Club Convergence Approach

The aim of this study has been to evaluate the club convergence between Iran and its trading partners over the period 1978-2013. For this purpose, this paper has used log(t) test with the limited dependent variable. Then,by using a sequential dependent variable model, factors affecting the formation of these club has been investigated and identified.
According to estimated model in the form of panel data, a convergence club income between Iran and some of its trading partners has been confirmed. The results show that there are the potential for income convergence of Iran and Belize, Algeria, Egypt, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kiribati, Morocco, Nicaragua, Swaziland, Thailand, Tonga, Tunisia and Vietnam countries and they can form an effective economic block, and strength their internal relationships in order to achieve higher economic growth and faster convergence.