This paper explores two questions. First, can Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) affect industrial development in developing countries? Second, does it matter for developing countries whom they sign the PTAs with? We find that the answer to both questions is yes. Using bilateral manufactured...

The study is organized as follows: Chapter 1 reviews the recent performance of the Honduran economy and the objective and coverage of the study. Chapter 2 provides a detailed examination of policies guiding trade and key institutions controlling trade practices. Chapter 3 describes trade control...

The aim of this study is to revise and update the strategy and action plan for the EWEC as a means of consolidating planning and programming activities by government authorities and development partners. It differs from the 2001 strategy and action plan in three ways. First, it shifts the vision...

The study bring together in a systematic manner the available information from recent expenditure and consumption surveys for Laos as they relate to the impact of the East West Economic Corridor (EWEC) on different social and economic aspects of households in the Lao province of Savannakhet. The...

This study provides an analysis on a range of common external tariff (CET) options that could be adopted by ASEAN. It quantitatively assess their implications for each ASEAN member state and the region as a whole. The results of the study are intended to assist the ASEAN Secretariat and the...

This paper paints the first empirical portrait of services firms in the developing world. Compared with manufacturers, service providers are smaller, but growing faster. They are more productive, pay higher wages, and invest more heavily than manufacturers, but are less likely to export or to...

Using a strategy of export-led growth and an activist industrial policy, Japan, the Asian Tigers and more recently China have attained high rates of economic growth. Export-led growth has taken over the status as model for developing countries' economic development from the formerly prevailing...

This dissertation is anchored in the disruptive impact of China’s resource-based economic expansion over the last two decades. Whilst the country’s economic growth follows traditional patterns of development, the size of China’s population challenges the small-country assumption inherent...

The report analyzes the international competitiveness of furniture industry based on calculations of effective rates of protection and trade indicators. Furniture manufacturing remains one of the most highly protected industries in Egypt. Although the nominal rate of protection (NRP) for that...

The study examines the implications of Lao PDR’s WTO accessions on the domestic cement, steel bar and brewery industries with a view to developing recommendations on how to concurrently manage the Government’s domestic strategic objectives with the country’s effective involvement in the...