Features of empirical estimates of the gravity model of Russian foreign trade

Abstract

The paper contains evaluation of different specifications of spatial gravity model of foreign trade for the Russian Federation. A methodology of consistent improvement of the quality of estimates is elaborated. The results illustrate what factors determine the volume of trade flows passing through the checkpoints at the state border of the Russian Federation. Recommendations for the use of gravity models of foreign trade using the Russian data taking into account local conditions are given in the study.