Comparison of VECM and GMDH-Neural Network Algorithm approaches to estimating FDI inflows in Pakistan.

The study uses the comparison of Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH)-type neural network algorithm with Vector error correction model to predict the value of FDI on the basis of accuracy of prediction and to model the determinants of FDI in Pakistan. It was estimated in the times series data during the time period 1971-2013 and the time period 2014-2018 has been utilized to predict FDI. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test suggests that all variables data are of I (1) and Johansen co-integration test proved nexus of the variables FDI and its determinants in the long run. Nonetheless, the error correction-term of the vector error correction model (VECM) indicates that around 3 % of cumulative disequilibrium was expunged in every year in Pakistan. This paper compares two new methods Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) Neural Network Algorithm and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) in an attempt to obtain the more useful one based on accuracy of analysis when making predictions. Whereas, the effectiveness of VECM is then compared with a non parametric GMDH-like type neural network. An evaluation of forecasting model accuracies in terms of FDI was done using Root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and Diebold Mariano (DM) test. The empirical outcomes are a clear indication that Group Method of Data Handling GMDH-type of neural network algorithm did very well in comparison with the vector error correction model based on forecasting.