The 3rd International Conference on Applied Economics and Finance (ICOAEF 2017) was held on 6-7 December, 2017 at Merit Park Hotel in Kyrenia, North Cyprus.

The 3rd International Conference on Applied Economics and Finance (ICOAEF 2017) provided an opportunity for scholars involved in the Applied Economics and Finance to discuss their research and to exchange ideas. Asst. Prof. Dr. Behiye Çavuşoğlu from the Department of Economics of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences of Near East University participated in the conference with a presentation on 'Impacts of Exchange Rates on Economic Growth of Nigeria: A VECM Approach’.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of Near East University, the students attending the course of econometrics participated in the conference along with their lecturer to gain information about the latest developments relevant to applied economics and econometric methods and the application areas.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Cavuşoğlu's presentation attracted great interest; her students also had opportunity to enhance their knowledge by listening to many presentations on econometric methods and applications....
Asst. Prof.Dr. Behiye Çavuşoğlu presented a study that used vector error correction model (VECM) to analyze the impacts of fixed and floating exchange rate systems on economic growth of Nigeria. The impact of floating exchange rates on Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was first measured and then it was analyzed how this exchange rate system would affect the economic performance of Nigeria in the long-run. Evaluating various exchange rate policies used by Nigeria since 1959, Asst. Prof. Dr. Behiye Çavuşoğlu highlighted that Nigeria had finally switched to a controlled free exchange rate system to prevent illegal foreign exchange buying and selling in parallel markets.

She underlined that another aim of this new exchange system was to diversify the economic structure based on petroleum and to reduce export dependency. “The outcomes of the econometric analysis based on the annual data of the period 1986-2016 show that floating exchange rates have a positive impact on Nigeria's economic growth in the long run, oil prices have a direct and positive effect on interest rates, and the real interest rates have the greatest impact on economic growth compared to other variables” said she.

Marc Willinger, Professor of Economics at Université de Montpellier, attended the conference as a keynote speaker and made a presentation evaluating the relationship between the personal characteristics and loaning of people living in risky areas.

Çavuşoğlu stated that Willinger's presentation, which attracted the interest of all scholars and students that participated in the conference, was important for creating innovation in the field.