Did Domestic Policies Marginalize Africa in International Trade?

Did Domestic Policies Marginalize Africa in International Trade?

Author: Alexander J. Yeats

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 1997-01-01

Total Pages: 44

ISBN-13: 9780821336694

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World Bank Technical Paper No. 344. Presents and analyzes a wealth of data on levels of and trends in health status, delivery of services, and financing in each of the former Soviet states of Central Asia. The paper examines health care reform from the perspectives of macroeconomic constraints, the demographic and epidemiological transitions facing each country, the underlying structure and financing of their health systems, and what they have inherited from the old Soviet system.


Book Synopsis Did Domestic Policies Marginalize Africa in International Trade? by : Alexander J. Yeats

Download or read book Did Domestic Policies Marginalize Africa in International Trade? written by Alexander J. Yeats and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 1997-01-01 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: World Bank Technical Paper No. 344. Presents and analyzes a wealth of data on levels of and trends in health status, delivery of services, and financing in each of the former Soviet states of Central Asia. The paper examines health care reform from the perspectives of macroeconomic constraints, the demographic and epidemiological transitions facing each country, the underlying structure and financing of their health systems, and what they have inherited from the old Soviet system.


Did domestic policies marginalize Africa in international trade?

Did domestic policies marginalize Africa in international trade?

Author: Alexander J. Yeats

Publisher:

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13: 9782868699312

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Book Synopsis Did domestic policies marginalize Africa in international trade? by : Alexander J. Yeats

Download or read book Did domestic policies marginalize Africa in international trade? written by Alexander J. Yeats and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Open Economies Work Better! Did Africa's Protectionist Policies Cause Its Marginalization in World Trade?

Open Economies Work Better! Did Africa's Protectionist Policies Cause Its Marginalization in World Trade?

Author: Francis Ng

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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August 1996 Sub-Saharan Africa has declined in importance in world trade mainly because it has not remained competitive. External protection has not played a major role in this decline; indeed, OECD trade preferences gave Africa an advantage over many exporters. But Africa's own trade barriers are too high. Many studies show that liberal trade policies generally lead to superior growth, an important finding if Africa is to reverse its diminishing role in world trade. In the mid-1950s Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 3.1 percent of global exports. By 1990 this share had fallen to 1.2 percent. The reasons for this decline are important for policymaking. If external protection in OECD markets was an important contributing factor, the solution to Africa's trade problems requires liberalizing industrial countries' trade barriers. But if Africa's marginalization resulted primarily from inappropriate domestic policies that reduced the region's ability to compete internationally, changes in Africa's own policies are crucial for a reversal of adverse trade trends. Ng and Yeats find that Africa's extensive loss of competitiveness played a key role in its decline in world trade. If Africa had merely retained its 1962-64 OECD market shares, its exports now would be 75 percent ($11 billion) higher. In addition, global demand for the region's major exports grew considerably more slowly than demand for most other goods. In short, Africa's problem was two-pronged: It experienced declining market shares for its major export products, which, in turn, were of declining relative importance in world trade. And it was unable to diversify its export base. As a result, it is now among the regions mostly highly dependent on relatively few export products and -- unlike all other regions -- this dependence has increased sharply over the past three decades. Empirical evidence developed by Ng and Yeats shows that external protection has not played a major role in this decline; indeed, OECD trade preferences gave Africa an advantage over many exporters. Trade restrictions and domestic policy interventions often create a bias against tradables, especially exports, that prevents the achievement of otherwise attainable growth rates. Import barriers in Africa are far higher than in developing countries with faster export growth, and appear to work against potential export products. If the region is to reverse its unfavorable export trends, it must adopt trade and structural adjustment policies that help make it competitive and help African exporters capitalize on foreign trade opportunities. This paper -- a product of the International Trade Division, International Economics Department -- is part of a larger effort in the department to identify barriers to developing countries' exports and assist in their removal.


Book Synopsis Open Economies Work Better! Did Africa's Protectionist Policies Cause Its Marginalization in World Trade? by : Francis Ng

Download or read book Open Economies Work Better! Did Africa's Protectionist Policies Cause Its Marginalization in World Trade? written by Francis Ng and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: August 1996 Sub-Saharan Africa has declined in importance in world trade mainly because it has not remained competitive. External protection has not played a major role in this decline; indeed, OECD trade preferences gave Africa an advantage over many exporters. But Africa's own trade barriers are too high. Many studies show that liberal trade policies generally lead to superior growth, an important finding if Africa is to reverse its diminishing role in world trade. In the mid-1950s Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 3.1 percent of global exports. By 1990 this share had fallen to 1.2 percent. The reasons for this decline are important for policymaking. If external protection in OECD markets was an important contributing factor, the solution to Africa's trade problems requires liberalizing industrial countries' trade barriers. But if Africa's marginalization resulted primarily from inappropriate domestic policies that reduced the region's ability to compete internationally, changes in Africa's own policies are crucial for a reversal of adverse trade trends. Ng and Yeats find that Africa's extensive loss of competitiveness played a key role in its decline in world trade. If Africa had merely retained its 1962-64 OECD market shares, its exports now would be 75 percent ($11 billion) higher. In addition, global demand for the region's major exports grew considerably more slowly than demand for most other goods. In short, Africa's problem was two-pronged: It experienced declining market shares for its major export products, which, in turn, were of declining relative importance in world trade. And it was unable to diversify its export base. As a result, it is now among the regions mostly highly dependent on relatively few export products and -- unlike all other regions -- this dependence has increased sharply over the past three decades. Empirical evidence developed by Ng and Yeats shows that external protection has not played a major role in this decline; indeed, OECD trade preferences gave Africa an advantage over many exporters. Trade restrictions and domestic policy interventions often create a bias against tradables, especially exports, that prevents the achievement of otherwise attainable growth rates. Import barriers in Africa are far higher than in developing countries with faster export growth, and appear to work against potential export products. If the region is to reverse its unfavorable export trends, it must adopt trade and structural adjustment policies that help make it competitive and help African exporters capitalize on foreign trade opportunities. This paper -- a product of the International Trade Division, International Economics Department -- is part of a larger effort in the department to identify barriers to developing countries' exports and assist in their removal.


Open Economies Work Better!

Open Economies Work Better!

Author: Francis Ng

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 44

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Open Economies Work Better! by : Francis Ng

Download or read book Open Economies Work Better! written by Francis Ng and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 1996 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Open Economies Work Better! Did Africa's Protectionist Policies Cause Its Marginalization in World Trade?

Open Economies Work Better! Did Africa's Protectionist Policies Cause Its Marginalization in World Trade?

Author: Francis Ng

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Sub-Saharan Africa's declining importance in global trade is primarily due to its inability to remain competitive in international markets. If Africa merely retained its 1962-1964 shares for major products its exports would now be 75% ($11 billion) higher. External protection against Africa has not played an important role in this decline, in fact, OECD trade preferences made market access conditions for Africa more favorable than that for many other exporters. In contrast, sub-Saharan Africa's own trade barriers are considerably higher than those of most other developing countries, particularly those that launched sustained export-oriented industrialization drives. Since numerous studies show countries which pursue liberal trade policies generally achieve superior growth rates, these findings accent the importance of domestic policy reforms if Africa is to reverse its diminishing role in world trade. In short, the future of African economies will be determined by Africans themselves and not by outsiders.


Book Synopsis Open Economies Work Better! Did Africa's Protectionist Policies Cause Its Marginalization in World Trade? by : Francis Ng

Download or read book Open Economies Work Better! Did Africa's Protectionist Policies Cause Its Marginalization in World Trade? written by Francis Ng and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sub-Saharan Africa's declining importance in global trade is primarily due to its inability to remain competitive in international markets. If Africa merely retained its 1962-1964 shares for major products its exports would now be 75% ($11 billion) higher. External protection against Africa has not played an important role in this decline, in fact, OECD trade preferences made market access conditions for Africa more favorable than that for many other exporters. In contrast, sub-Saharan Africa's own trade barriers are considerably higher than those of most other developing countries, particularly those that launched sustained export-oriented industrialization drives. Since numerous studies show countries which pursue liberal trade policies generally achieve superior growth rates, these findings accent the importance of domestic policy reforms if Africa is to reverse its diminishing role in world trade. In short, the future of African economies will be determined by Africans themselves and not by outsiders.


The Politics of Trade and Industrial Policy in Africa

The Politics of Trade and Industrial Policy in Africa

Author: Charles Chukwuma Soludo

Publisher: IDRC

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 376

ISBN-13: 1592211658

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This book maps the process and political economy of policy making in Africa. It's focus on trade and industrial policy makes it unique and it will appeal to students and academics in economics, political economy, political science and African studies. Detailed case studies help the reader to understand how the process and motivation behind policy decisions can vary from country to country depending on the form of government, ethnicity and nationality and other social factors.


Book Synopsis The Politics of Trade and Industrial Policy in Africa by : Charles Chukwuma Soludo

Download or read book The Politics of Trade and Industrial Policy in Africa written by Charles Chukwuma Soludo and published by IDRC. This book was released on 2004 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book maps the process and political economy of policy making in Africa. It's focus on trade and industrial policy makes it unique and it will appeal to students and academics in economics, political economy, political science and African studies. Detailed case studies help the reader to understand how the process and motivation behind policy decisions can vary from country to country depending on the form of government, ethnicity and nationality and other social factors.


Author:

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published:

Total Pages: 507

ISBN-13: 1428906630

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Book Synopsis by :

Download or read book written by and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on with total page 507 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Our Continent, Our Future

Our Continent, Our Future

Author: P. Thandika Mkandawire

Publisher: IDRC

Published: 2014-05-14

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 155250204X

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Our Continent, Our Future presents the emerging African perspective on this complex issue. The authors use as background their own extensive experience and a collection of 30 individual studies, 25 of which were from African economists, to summarize this African perspective and articulate a path for the future. They underscore the need to be sensitive to each country's unique history and current condition. They argue for a broader policy agenda and for a much more active role for the state within what is largely a market economy. Finally, they stress that Africa must, and can, compete in an increasingly globalized world and, perhaps most importantly, that Africans must assume the leading role in defining the continent's development agenda.


Book Synopsis Our Continent, Our Future by : P. Thandika Mkandawire

Download or read book Our Continent, Our Future written by P. Thandika Mkandawire and published by IDRC. This book was released on 2014-05-14 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Our Continent, Our Future presents the emerging African perspective on this complex issue. The authors use as background their own extensive experience and a collection of 30 individual studies, 25 of which were from African economists, to summarize this African perspective and articulate a path for the future. They underscore the need to be sensitive to each country's unique history and current condition. They argue for a broader policy agenda and for a much more active role for the state within what is largely a market economy. Finally, they stress that Africa must, and can, compete in an increasingly globalized world and, perhaps most importantly, that Africans must assume the leading role in defining the continent's development agenda.


Trade Infrastructure and Economic Development

Trade Infrastructure and Economic Development

Author: David Olusanya Ajakaiye

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2012-03-12

Total Pages: 386

ISBN-13: 1136595759

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There is growing consensus in the literature that trade and trade policy matter for a pro-poor growth and development strategy. Therefore, policies that are consistent with this strategy feature increasingly in many African countries where poverty is endemic and rapid and where sustainable economic growth is viewed as the major vehicle for poverty reduction. Key elements of these polices include measures that promote the expansion and diversification of production and trade in Africa. This book is aimed at articulating appropriate structural and policy measures for eliminating the constraints that African countries face and thus ensuring that they can derive maximum benefits from all available market access opportunities. There is evidence that most African countries face external market access barriers in their major export destinations which are generally less constraining than those confronting countries in other developing country regions. Yet, they have generally not been able to take full advantage of the special (preferential) market access opportunities available to them. This suggests that improved external market access, whether reciprocal or preferential, would not, by itself, be sufficient for strengthening African export performance. In this collection, export supply response capacity takes external (beyond-the-border) factors as given and concentrates primarily on the internal (behind-the-border) factors that influence production and distribution costs and, thus, competitiveness. The central working hypothesis of this book is that the inability of domestic producers and exporters in Africa to respond quickly, effectively and efficiently to external market access opportunities is caused by various limitations of their internal supply capacity and that this, in turn, is largely responsible for the lacklustre export performance of many African countries. This comprehensive study should be of interest to students and researchers of international trade and development economics as well as African studies.


Book Synopsis Trade Infrastructure and Economic Development by : David Olusanya Ajakaiye

Download or read book Trade Infrastructure and Economic Development written by David Olusanya Ajakaiye and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2012-03-12 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There is growing consensus in the literature that trade and trade policy matter for a pro-poor growth and development strategy. Therefore, policies that are consistent with this strategy feature increasingly in many African countries where poverty is endemic and rapid and where sustainable economic growth is viewed as the major vehicle for poverty reduction. Key elements of these polices include measures that promote the expansion and diversification of production and trade in Africa. This book is aimed at articulating appropriate structural and policy measures for eliminating the constraints that African countries face and thus ensuring that they can derive maximum benefits from all available market access opportunities. There is evidence that most African countries face external market access barriers in their major export destinations which are generally less constraining than those confronting countries in other developing country regions. Yet, they have generally not been able to take full advantage of the special (preferential) market access opportunities available to them. This suggests that improved external market access, whether reciprocal or preferential, would not, by itself, be sufficient for strengthening African export performance. In this collection, export supply response capacity takes external (beyond-the-border) factors as given and concentrates primarily on the internal (behind-the-border) factors that influence production and distribution costs and, thus, competitiveness. The central working hypothesis of this book is that the inability of domestic producers and exporters in Africa to respond quickly, effectively and efficiently to external market access opportunities is caused by various limitations of their internal supply capacity and that this, in turn, is largely responsible for the lacklustre export performance of many African countries. This comprehensive study should be of interest to students and researchers of international trade and development economics as well as African studies.


Towards a New Map of Africa

Towards a New Map of Africa

Author: Ben Wisner

Publisher: Earthscan

Published: 2012-05-23

Total Pages: 377

ISBN-13: 1849773394

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'The big, era-defining questions and, at last, the subtle, tenable answers, teased out without clich? or compromise. A vital volume at a critical moment.' Dr Augustus Casely-Hayford, Director, Africa '05 'This book dispels the myth of a uniformly hopeless, hungry continent. It shows just how'extraordinarily diverse Africa is'and how much it'has changed in the last 20 years.'Full of fresh thinking on'problems that face Africa and new African approaches to development.' Richard Dowden, Director, Royal African Society This ground-breaking book, with a foreword by former President of Ireland (1990?1997) and UN Human Rights Commissioner (1997?2002) Mary Robinson, uniquely distils the complex issues surrounding Africa at the beginning of the 21st century. African and Western scholars provide a fascinating 'map' for the reader to navigate between issues such as urban and rural livelihoods, the potential of fresh water fishing, health, the HIV/AIDS crisis, conflict and efforts at peacemaking. Also included are critical assessments of Africa's role in the global economy, the growth of regional economic cooperation within Africa, the influence of ethnicity on the continent's politics, the evolution of its political institutions, and the impact of Africa's legal systems on its development. A substantial introductory essay by the editors measures the distance Africa has travelled and the lessons it has learned since Africa in Crisis, the classic Earthscan book, was published in 1985. Ben Wisner is visiting research fellow at DESTIN, London School of Economics and at Benfield Hazard Research Centre, University College London, and visiting professor of environmental studies, Oberlin College, USA. Camilla Toulmin is Director of the International Institute for Environment and Development. Rutendo Chitiga is a freelance writer and editor, and has a postgraduate degree in environment and development.


Book Synopsis Towards a New Map of Africa by : Ben Wisner

Download or read book Towards a New Map of Africa written by Ben Wisner and published by Earthscan. This book was released on 2012-05-23 with total page 377 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'The big, era-defining questions and, at last, the subtle, tenable answers, teased out without clich? or compromise. A vital volume at a critical moment.' Dr Augustus Casely-Hayford, Director, Africa '05 'This book dispels the myth of a uniformly hopeless, hungry continent. It shows just how'extraordinarily diverse Africa is'and how much it'has changed in the last 20 years.'Full of fresh thinking on'problems that face Africa and new African approaches to development.' Richard Dowden, Director, Royal African Society This ground-breaking book, with a foreword by former President of Ireland (1990?1997) and UN Human Rights Commissioner (1997?2002) Mary Robinson, uniquely distils the complex issues surrounding Africa at the beginning of the 21st century. African and Western scholars provide a fascinating 'map' for the reader to navigate between issues such as urban and rural livelihoods, the potential of fresh water fishing, health, the HIV/AIDS crisis, conflict and efforts at peacemaking. Also included are critical assessments of Africa's role in the global economy, the growth of regional economic cooperation within Africa, the influence of ethnicity on the continent's politics, the evolution of its political institutions, and the impact of Africa's legal systems on its development. A substantial introductory essay by the editors measures the distance Africa has travelled and the lessons it has learned since Africa in Crisis, the classic Earthscan book, was published in 1985. Ben Wisner is visiting research fellow at DESTIN, London School of Economics and at Benfield Hazard Research Centre, University College London, and visiting professor of environmental studies, Oberlin College, USA. Camilla Toulmin is Director of the International Institute for Environment and Development. Rutendo Chitiga is a freelance writer and editor, and has a postgraduate degree in environment and development.