scholarly journals Gender Dimensions of Informal Cross Border Trade in West-African Sub-Region (ECOWAS) Borders

Author(s):  
S. Olabisi Yusuff

The aim of this paper is to examine the dynamics of women in cross border trade along ECOWAS sub region. West African region is noted significantly for high volume of trade that goes on within its borders on daily basis, and it involves formal and informal trade. Informal trade however, is an integral, but unrecognized component of ECOWAS economic activities. Over sixty percent of women are into informal trading across ECOWAS sub region, yet, there is gap in literature on the dynamics of these regional women traders across sub- ECOWAS region. Using qualitative method of data collection, a significant number of women traders in informal cross border in sub ECOWAS region were interviewed on their motivations, trade operations, challenges, and coping strategies. The findings reveal that there are several insecurities posed by informalities of women trading practices. These insecurities are associated with activities of law- enforcement agents and touts coupled with the facts that women traders are not knowledgeable about the procedures that guide international trade. Despite several challenges posed by informal cross border trade, women traders had devised coping strategies to negotiate these challenges. Majority of women utilized income generated to support themselves, their spouses and children and above all, it had enabled them to live above poverty level, which is one of millennium goals. The paper recommends that informal economic activities of women in cross border trade needs to recognized for holistic policy to be formulated and, women need vigorous education on the law that guide the rules and procedures of regional trade.

Author(s):  
Abdul Rahim Anuar ◽  
Azhar Harun

Towns along the Malaysia-Thailand border have always been associated with backwardness and being low-income regions. This is mainly because policy development in these border regions is based more on defence and security rather than economic considerations. Economic structures and cross-border trade towns of Sg. Kolok (Narathiwat, Southern Thailand) and Rantau Panjang (Kelantan, Malaysia) were examined with the objective to measure cross-border economic activity and the feasibility of establishing a Cross Border Special Economic Zone. Both towns are a shopping haven among local and foreign tourists, and have the potential to become a leading cross-border tourism product of the Malaysia-Thailand border. The Malaysian government has also implemented the Eastern Corridor Economic Region to develop the East Coast region including Kelantan. Meanwhile, the Thailand Government has carried out the Southern Border Provinces Special Zone to develop its Southern region, including Narathiwat. With the security assurance in Southern Thailand coupled with both development plans being implemented, this may intensify economic activities in the towns of Rantau Panjang and Sg. Kolok. It was revealed that this has a spill-over effect in the border areas and the potential of creating a Cross Border Special Economic Zone at these border towns.  


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-211
Author(s):  
Komol Singha

With the emergence of globalization, economic integration among nations has become a necessity. Cross border trade is the most important medium of the current wave of globalization. In this process, knowingly or unknowingly the North East economy has emerged in to a new dimension of cross border trade (informal trade) with neighboring nations and that increases Social Welfare of the poor masses of the region. But the formal arrangements, like ‘Look East Policy’ stumbles the social welfare of the region. Border trade is the first and foremost important component of globalization and informal trade is multiple times more than the formal trade in this region. By this process, sustainable development is generated and it is visible now in this region. With the help of primary and secondary data, this paper tries to analyze the impact of globalization or cross border trade in the North East India (NEI). How far this globalization through cross border trade increases social welfare or generates sustainable economic development of the region is the core issue of this paper. For this purpose, the author has selected Nagaland as an area of study. Of late, the Government has initiated several pro-active measures to strengthen its economic growth further. In this direction, India’s Look East Policy is worth mentioning. Under this policy, India seeks economic cooperation with ASEAN and other neighbouring countries through the gateway of the North-Eastern Region. Despite initiatives of economic development, still the process is not heading towards the right direction. There are some institutional lacunae in this process. This paper is the modest attempt to highlight these lacunae and tries to recommend some feasible suggestions to overcome in this direction.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Osadume ◽  
Edih O. University

PurposeThis study investigated the impact of economic growth on carbon emissions on selected West African countries between 1980 and 2019. Simon-Steinmann's economic growth model provides the relevant theoretical foundation. The main objective of this study was to ascertain whether economic growth will impact carbon emissions.Design/methodology/approachThe study selected six-sample countries in West Africa and used secondary data obtained through the World Bank Group online database covering the period 1980–2019, employing panel econometric methods of statistical analysis.FindingsThe outcome indicates that the independent variable showed a positively significant impact on the dependent variable for the pooled samples in the short-run, with significant cointegration.Research limitations/implicationsThe study concluded that economic growth significantly impacts the emissions of carbon, and a 1% rise in economic growth will result to 3.11121% unit rise in carbon emissions.Practical implicationsPolicy implementation should encourage the use of energy efficient facilities by firms and government and the establishment of carbon trading hubs.Social implicationsFailure by governments to heed the recommendations of this research will result to serious climate change issues on economic activities with attendant consequences on human health within the region and globally.Originality/valueThis is one of the comprehensive works on subject covering the West African region within the continent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 86-109
Author(s):  
Kehinde Ibrahim

The judgments of the ECOWAS Court, which are final and immediately binding, are vital for the realisation of ECOWAS aims and objectives. The enforcement of its judgments is particularly important in the case of individuals whose enjoyment of fundamental human rights, as guaranteed under the ECOWAS Community laws, is dependent on effective enforcement. Yet, an existential puzzling paradox emanates through a poor record in the implementation of the ECOWAS Court's judgments. This problem, which is not limited to the West African region deserves scrutiny and concrete proposals. Legal and political considerations surface in assessing the existence of this paradox, and despite the lack of a consistent political will, to implement the decisions of ECOWAS Court relevant judicial actors have roles to play. National courts could take a bolder approach in complementing the work of the ECOWAS Court. The ECOWAS Court itself could put in place concrete mechanisms and adopt certain practices to address this poor record of non-implementation. It is yet to be seen how substantive mechanisms would work in practice.


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