The Political Economy of Trade Policy : A Look at the Growth of the Hotel Services Industry in Uganda

Trade Policy does not always follow sound economic theory. The outcome of trade policy formulation is determined by more factors than just economics, and this includes socio-political factors. One of the most important of these factors is the interests of the stakeholders involved in the policy formulation process. The private sector wields considerable influence if the right factors are in place, and can therefore direct the policy journey of a country, whether backed by economics or not. This study evaluates these dynamics and focuses on the hotel services industry in Uganda as an example of how the private sector has led both the growth of the industry, and the development of policy affecting the industry