Global Value Chains are a dominant feature of today’s global economy, yet their empirical analysis is still incipient. Building on a recent OECD-WTO database and the results of an on-going research program at WTO, the present essay contributes at filling this gap, after introducing the main...

With the rise of global value chains, effective protection rates (EPRs) provide important insights on the impact of nominal tariffs on the competitiveness of industries. Building on the results of the OECD-WTO Trade in Value-Added TiVA database, the paper analyses the evolution of EPRs in about...

Although there are numerous empirical studies on the effect of trade facilitation on international trade and GDP, there have been no studies on the association between trade facilitation and poverty as well as inequality. This paper examines this association in low and middle income countries...

The article analyses the sectoral specialization of Bulgarian exports, making a comparison with the sectoral specialization of the EU as an entity and some of the new member states. It focuses on the question of whether Bulgaria's five years of EU membership contributed to the approximation of...

This study presents an analysis of Ghana’s performance in export of cocoa using the revealed comparative advantage and revealed symmetric comparative advantage measures of competitiveness for the periods 1964-69 (immediate years following the collapse of world price of cocoa), 1983-92 (Reform...

Abstract The paper describes the joint policy of Brazil and Argentina regarding the currency use in bilateral trade. The Local Currency Payment System (SML) framework is investigated as an instrument of reducing trade costs by providing new financial integration mechanisms and its implications...

In view of the global run on African resources the EU is at pains to conclude Economic Partnership Programs with African states up to October 2014. The EPAs are meant not just to liberalize trade but also to promote economic development in Africa and thus creating a win-win situation in a...

EU- Africa Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are on the brink. In February 2014 West African leaders agreed in principle to conclude an agreement. However, last-minute objections of the heavy-weight Nigeria which wants to protect its infant industries as well as promising trade relations...

This paper examines the key issues and assesses the impact of the rules of origin (RoO) and cumulation on Nigeria’s international trade within the context of Africa-EU partnerships agreements. The review of literatures shows that RoO are an important element in determining the final benefit...

Although American business leaders do not like protectionism, more and more of them are concluding that too many countries are stacking the deck against American competitors. The severe recession of 1980-83 and its lingering effects in certain regions and business sectors; unemployment stuck at...