An Instrumental Connection. Economic Diplomacy, International Arms Trade and Overseas Aspirations between Portugal and Sweden, 1640–80

This paper offers an Iberian perspective on Sweden’s ‘Age of Greatness’ by looking at the intersection of international politics and trade involving Portugal and Sweden after Portugal regained its independence from Spain at the end of 1640. Sweden’s exports of timber, naval stores, iron, copper, and weapons to Braganza Portugal are seen in the context of the Portuguese wars for overseas trade and colonial settlement against the Dutch Republic and the struggle for autonomy against Spain in its home turf. By revisiting the accounts of diplomatic actors, this contribution will discuss how Portugal turned to Sweden for diplomatic recognition and new consumption markets and carriers for its export sector. It will also be shown how Sweden stood to gain by adding a new customer to its military export sector and by tapping into Portugal’s colonial goods and salt, while at the same time it entertained the prospect of using the Portuguese offshoots in West Africa and the East Indies to further its ambitions in overseas trade.

EXPORT FINANCE: A TOOL FOR PROMOTING EXPORT IN INDIA

Export Finance play a crucial role in growth and development of export sector in any economy, which face a tough competition from rest of world. It is an essential and prime element for successful operation of various internal and external activities to grow the export business sector. In view of many scholars and economists, export is considered as the engine of growth and development of any country. Presently, India’s total export is contributing approx. 2% in the world’s trade. In export trading the 6 Ps concepts of export marketing are depending on the availability of export finance assistance in terms of share, cost and period of time. This study attempts to analyze and review the impact of export finance used by various exporters on their export profitability, performance on varied interest rate, cost of finance and special schemes related to pre and post shipment stage in export trading. To analyze the role and importance of various financial institutions in providing the financial assistance to the exporters in India helps and supports to export sector to grow in the right direction and also to achieve the specific goals. This research paper provides meaningful information to policy maker who want to reform their export structure, promotion schemes and increase the nation’s competitiveness in present era. KEYWORDS: Export Finance, Financial Institutions, Export Credits, Export Insurance

Pakistan’s Exports and Global Economy: Export Competitiveness and Efficiency of Toys and Games

The aim of this study is to examine the export performance and competitiveness of Pakistan's toy exports by using different indices of revealed comparative advantage. The data were looked at from the International Trade Centre (ITC) for Pakistan’s toys exports during 2004-2020. The results of this study show that Pakistan enjoyed a comparative advantage in exporting toys to the world market during 2004-2020, because the RCA index is greater than 1. The positive values of RSCA and LnRCA indicate that Pakistan had a CA in the concerned sector during 2004-2020. The study also observed that Pakistan had a competitive advantage by employing Vollrath index (RCA#). In addition, the revealed competitiveness index (RC) indicates that Pakistan experienced competitiveness in the toy export sector. The RMA index shows that Pakistan also enjoyed a comparative advantage in the imports of toys during 2004-2020. This means that Pakistan also imports these products from other economies of the world. The index of RTA describes that Pakistan had a net comparative advantage in this sector during analysis. TBI illustrates that Pakistan is the net-exporter in the toys and games sector in the global economy. Pakistan's toy manufacturers need to find new innovative and technologically advanced methods to stimulate domestic toy production and exports.

Implantation of corporate social responsibility measures in the horticulture in Mexico and Spain

This work presents the results of a survey, following the Delphi methodology, to experts from the horticultural sector of Mexico and Spain. Interactions with experts have made it possible to identify relevant aspects where the level of consensus is high about the proliferation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the export sector of both countries, standing out: the horticultural sector's leadership in the implementation of standards, which responds to the demand for destination supermarkets in the US and Europe, which despite their particularities, have similar dynamics. Not implementing is considered a risk factor; the implementations are positive actions, which enhance the reputation of companies. Agricultural companies that have a lack of business culture, ignorance, and high administrative burden limit their development, especially among smaller production companies. The greatest progress has been made in the area of labor and environmental practices, areas where consumer concern is growing. Despite CRS initiatives are not providing an immediate benefit to companies, strategic spending is valued. The research is completed with a SWOT analysis (Weaknesses, Threats, Strengths and Opportunities), providing a valuable ranking of great interest for the design of competitive improvements. Highlights Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) measures in the horticultural activity are driven mainly for the Supermarkets Chains. There are other factors to implement it: gain competitive advantage, improve the reputation of the sector, stay in the market. The Delphi Method is a useful instrument to identify advantages, limitations, and barriers to adopt food safety and Social Responsibility Standards in the global value chain in the agricultural sector. The horticultural activity is adopting several CRS standards in order to stay in the market such as: GRASP, FAIR TRADE, SEDEX, SA 8000. The Delphi Panel considers that the CRS standards and measures implemented improve the labor, environmental and human rights in the horticultural activity in Mexico and Spain.

Questions unanswered, stories untold: Reviewing the New Zealand Government’s response to Foreign Charter Vessel Allegations

<p>The seafood industry is New Zealand's fifth largest export sector by value and a major contributor to the nation's economy. However, for decades a sizeable portion of annual total industry catch within the Exclusive Economic Zone has been caught by overseas flagged vessels (‘Foreign Charter Fishing Vessels’ or ‘FCVs’) crewed by foreign guestworkers on contract to New Zealand based fishing quota holders. Concerns relating to guestworker welfare, working conditions aboard vessels, and regulatory compliance have characterised their controversial presence in New Zealand waters. In July 2011 the New Zealand Ministers for Labour and Primary Industries jointly announced the establishment of a Ministerial Inquiry to consider the use and operation of FCVs in New Zealand’s waters following the emergence of reports of widespread exploitation of guestworkers aboard vessels. In August 2011 a high profile report by University of Auckland researchers detailed allegations raised by groups of FCV guestworkers who claimed they had been the victims of sustained physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at sea. The implication is that many guestworkers had been 'trafficked' into the industry to labour for little or no remuneration. The terms of reference for the Ministerial Inquiry directed the Inquiry Panel to review the use of FCVs against the Government’s articulated priorities for the industry. These priorities were to ‘protect New Zealand’s international reputation and trade access’; ‘maximise economic return to New Zealand from fisheries resources’; and to ‘ensure acceptable and equitable labour standards are applied on vessels operating in New Zealand’s fisheries waters’. This thesis applies critical discourse analysis methodology to analyse the establishment of the Ministerial Inquiry, the Inquiry’s public consultation process, and the public policy recommendations contained in its final report to Government in order to examine how the experiences and allegations of guestworkers were framed, ordered, and considered throughout the Inquiry process. The research findings suggest that the Inquiry process has marginalised guestworker perspectives and that this has implications for the pursuit of social justice. As such the thesis contributes to an emerging academic literature on the experiences of guestworkers in the New Zealand fishing industry and the ways in which allegations of exploitation and mistreatment have been viewed and responded to by the New Zealand authorities.</p>

Questions unanswered, stories untold: Reviewing the New Zealand Government’s response to Foreign Charter Vessel Allegations

<p>The seafood industry is New Zealand's fifth largest export sector by value and a major contributor to the nation's economy. However, for decades a sizeable portion of annual total industry catch within the Exclusive Economic Zone has been caught by overseas flagged vessels (‘Foreign Charter Fishing Vessels’ or ‘FCVs’) crewed by foreign guestworkers on contract to New Zealand based fishing quota holders. Concerns relating to guestworker welfare, working conditions aboard vessels, and regulatory compliance have characterised their controversial presence in New Zealand waters. In July 2011 the New Zealand Ministers for Labour and Primary Industries jointly announced the establishment of a Ministerial Inquiry to consider the use and operation of FCVs in New Zealand’s waters following the emergence of reports of widespread exploitation of guestworkers aboard vessels. In August 2011 a high profile report by University of Auckland researchers detailed allegations raised by groups of FCV guestworkers who claimed they had been the victims of sustained physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at sea. The implication is that many guestworkers had been 'trafficked' into the industry to labour for little or no remuneration. The terms of reference for the Ministerial Inquiry directed the Inquiry Panel to review the use of FCVs against the Government’s articulated priorities for the industry. These priorities were to ‘protect New Zealand’s international reputation and trade access’; ‘maximise economic return to New Zealand from fisheries resources’; and to ‘ensure acceptable and equitable labour standards are applied on vessels operating in New Zealand’s fisheries waters’. This thesis applies critical discourse analysis methodology to analyse the establishment of the Ministerial Inquiry, the Inquiry’s public consultation process, and the public policy recommendations contained in its final report to Government in order to examine how the experiences and allegations of guestworkers were framed, ordered, and considered throughout the Inquiry process. The research findings suggest that the Inquiry process has marginalised guestworker perspectives and that this has implications for the pursuit of social justice. As such the thesis contributes to an emerging academic literature on the experiences of guestworkers in the New Zealand fishing industry and the ways in which allegations of exploitation and mistreatment have been viewed and responded to by the New Zealand authorities.</p>

The effects of COVID-19 on trade, production, environmental quality and its implications for green economy

PurposeThis study examines the effects of COVID-19 on trade, production and environmental quality and provides policy implications on green recovery.Design/methodology/approachThe two-step Heckman method is applied to estimate the structural gravity specification of trade. Besides, the two-step system GMM model is used to estimate the effects of COVID-19 on production and environmental quality. Additionally, descriptive analysis and literature review have been used.FindingsThe findings disclose that COVID-19 adversely affected the trade performance of the countries. The results further imply that the regional trade agreements (RTAs) can play a key mediating role in the post-COVID-19 trade recovery. Besides, the impact of COVID-19 on the output is substantially negative. However, the effect of COVID-19 on environmental quality is significantly positive.Originality/valueIt is the first study of its kind to examine the effects of COVID-19 on trade, production and CO2 emissions covering panel countries. Second, it provides a detailed analysis of firms planning to engage in the export sector. Moreover, it offers policy suggestions to consider environmental quality and green recovery. Besides, it examines the mediating role of RTAs in the relationship between trade and the pandemic.

Missed Opportunities and Future Challenges: Globalisation, Small-Farmers and the Expanding Chilean Non-Traditional Fruit Sector

<p>The following research revisits, re-examines and builds on previous and ongoing critical work into the rise of non-traditional fruit exports in Chile. The work is principally concerned with the negative distributional impacts on small-scale producers in light of the country's extensive neoliberal reforms of the mid 1970s and 1980's and their continuation under successive Concertacion governments since 1990. Attention is placed on revisiting and better understanding the phenomenon observed by Murray (1997) ten years earlier, that saw small-scale producers enter into grossly uneven bargaining relationships with large fruit export firms that tended to expose them to a disproportionately high proportion of the risks associated with exporting in the global marketplace. At the time, these processes were shown to be driving many small-scale producers into a cycle of debt- resulting in land concentration and greater inequality in the locality. In the absence of government intervention, it was predicted that these patterns would continue to threaten the livelihood and economic sustainability of the Chilean peasantry. The following dissertation demonstrates that in the ten years since 1994 significant land concentration has indeed continued to take place as predicted within the original research locality, El Palqui. But unlike in the past, where land was dominated by large haciendas, today, it is equally large, capital intensive producers - including a handful of internationally owned export firms - who are progressively extending their grip over the Chilean countryside. In light of these changes, it could therefore be argued that the Chilean countryside is developing a character gravely reminiscent of Chile's pre-reform 'semi-feudal' system. With even those small producers, who have supposedly 'successfully inserted' into the global economy facing serious financial hardship, the future looks bleak for the Chilean peasantry. This thesis argues that the continuation of land concentration is a by-product of successive Chilean governments' persistent failure to assist small-producers during and after the critical transitional phase from an inward oriented development model to an outward oriented export-led model. This failure to act represents a missed opportunity to effectively integrate smaller producers into the export sector in a manner which might have been conducive to growth with equity.</p>

Missed Opportunities and Future Challenges: Globalisation, Small-Farmers and the Expanding Chilean Non-Traditional Fruit Sector

<p>The following research revisits, re-examines and builds on previous and ongoing critical work into the rise of non-traditional fruit exports in Chile. The work is principally concerned with the negative distributional impacts on small-scale producers in light of the country's extensive neoliberal reforms of the mid 1970s and 1980's and their continuation under successive Concertacion governments since 1990. Attention is placed on revisiting and better understanding the phenomenon observed by Murray (1997) ten years earlier, that saw small-scale producers enter into grossly uneven bargaining relationships with large fruit export firms that tended to expose them to a disproportionately high proportion of the risks associated with exporting in the global marketplace. At the time, these processes were shown to be driving many small-scale producers into a cycle of debt- resulting in land concentration and greater inequality in the locality. In the absence of government intervention, it was predicted that these patterns would continue to threaten the livelihood and economic sustainability of the Chilean peasantry. The following dissertation demonstrates that in the ten years since 1994 significant land concentration has indeed continued to take place as predicted within the original research locality, El Palqui. But unlike in the past, where land was dominated by large haciendas, today, it is equally large, capital intensive producers - including a handful of internationally owned export firms - who are progressively extending their grip over the Chilean countryside. In light of these changes, it could therefore be argued that the Chilean countryside is developing a character gravely reminiscent of Chile's pre-reform 'semi-feudal' system. With even those small producers, who have supposedly 'successfully inserted' into the global economy facing serious financial hardship, the future looks bleak for the Chilean peasantry. This thesis argues that the continuation of land concentration is a by-product of successive Chilean governments' persistent failure to assist small-producers during and after the critical transitional phase from an inward oriented development model to an outward oriented export-led model. This failure to act represents a missed opportunity to effectively integrate smaller producers into the export sector in a manner which might have been conducive to growth with equity.</p>

Abolition of Exchange Controls

This chapter explores the abolition of exchange controls, which transformed the British economy by ushering in a new era of mobile capital flows. Following the IMF’s 1976 bailout of the UK and the advent of North Sea oil, sterling began to appreciate precipitously. While this helped to discipline the British economy and reduce inflation, it also pushed British exporters to the brink of collapse. Governments during this period thus faced a choice between embracing the strong pound to tackle inflation and combating the pound’s rise in order to maintain political legitimacy. The governments of both Callaghan and Thatcher sought to navigate carefully between these two options. By getting rid of exchange controls, these governments hoped that investment would flow out of Britain, causing a moderate fall in the price of sterling. This would make Britain’s exports more competitive without generating a spike in inflation that would likely result from an overt sterling devaluation. The Callaghan administration was held back from totally abolishing controls by a resistant trade union movement. Thatcher, however, was able to fully scrap these controls due to the historic defeat of the trade unions in the 1979 Winter of Discontent. In addition, Thatcher sought to reassure global financial markets that this policy was not an attempt to lower sterling’s value, but was rather driven by a genuine faith in laissez-faire principles. The abolition of exchange controls should thus be understood as a palliative strategy to protect governing legitimacy by providing temporary relief to Britain’s export sector.