Improving Market Access in Agriculture for the African Least Developed Countries

2007 ◽  
pp. 129-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wusheng Yu
Keyword(s):  
Market Access ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Least Developed Countries

The Generalized System of Preferences of the United States: Does It Promote Industrialization and Economic Growth in Least Developed Countries?

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caf Dowlah
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Less Developed Countries ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Generalized System ◽  
Generalized System Of Preferences

The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)—a system of differential and favorable trade arrangements toward less developed countries, adopted by the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT)—has been around since the early 1970s. A primary objective of these schemes has been to promote industrialization and economic growth in less developed countries through trade rather than aid. The outcome of such programs has, however, been mixed. This paper identifies some of the underlying political and economic dynamics which led to the dismal performance of the GSP schemes of the United States in respect to the industrialization and economic growth of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The paper suggests that the effectiveness of GSP schemes could be significantly improved if they were brought under the binding WTO rules, if greater resources were directed to removing supply constraints in the LDCs, and if developed countries granted unwavering market access to LDC exports.

Conclude Doha: it matters!

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
BERNARD HOEKMAN ◽  
WILL MARTIN ◽  
AADITYA MATTOO
Keyword(s):  
Market Access ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Agricultural Export ◽  
Industrial Countries ◽  
Export Subsidies ◽  
Red Tape ◽  
Domestic Support

AbstractThe Doha Round must be concluded not because it will produce dramatic liberalization but because it will create greater security of market access. Its conclusion would strengthen, symbolically and substantively, the WTO's valuable role in restraining protectionism. What is on the table would constrain the scope for tariff protection in all goods, ban agricultural export subsidies in the industrial countries and sharply reduce the scope for distorting domestic support – by 70% in the EU and 60% in the US. Average farm tariffs that exporters face would fall to 12% (from 14.5%) and the tariffs on exports of manufactures to less than 2.5% (from about 3%). There are also environmental benefits to be captured, in particular disciplining the use of subsidies that encourage over-fishing and lowering tariffs on technologies that can help mitigate global warming. An agreement to facilitate trade by cutting red tape will further expand trade opportunities. Greater market access for the least-developed countries will result from the ‘duty free and quota free’ proposal and their ability to take advantage of new opportunities will be enhanced by the Doha-related ‘aid for trade’ initiative. Finally, concluding Doha would create space for multilateral cooperation on critical policy matters that lie outside the Doha Agenda, most urgently the trade policy implications of climate change mitigation.

scholarly journals The Changing Landscape of RTAs and PTAs: Analysis and Implications

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (Special Edition) ◽  
pp. 411-438
Author(s):  
Rashid S. Kaukab
Keyword(s):  
Market Access ◽  
Trade Agreements ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Law And Order ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Dynamic Economies ◽  
International Trading

This paper traces the evolution of “discriminatory” international trading arrangements: (i) regional trade agreements (RTAs), which offer their members better access to each other’s markets; and (ii) preferential trade agreements (PTAs), which offer developing and least developed countries (LDCs) nonreciprocal access to certain markets. The number, coverage, and depth of RTAs have increased tremendously in the last 25 years, potentially leading to even deeper integration among dynamic economies. However, countries on the margin of RTA activity may be in danger of not benefitting from the growth in international trade. The number of countries offering PTAs has also increased with many developing countries now providing LDCs with nonreciprocal market access. This significant level of RTA and PTA activity raises serious challenges for countries such as Pakistan, which remain on the margins. Efforts to rectify this should, in the short term, focus on negotiating RTAs with selected countries to build the required capacity for such negotiations and improve Pakistan’s visibility on the RTA landscape. The country must aggressively seek and defend nonreciprocal market access under PTAs, with particular focus on such GSP schemes as offer additional benefits. Medium-term actions should aim to improve competitiveness by investing in infrastructure, energy, and human resources; adopting a coherent and supportive macroeconomic policy framework; and improving law and order. This will help Pakistan enter into and benefit from RTAs with dynamic economies while substantially reducing its dependence on PTAs.

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