Trade policy reforms which lead to changes in world prices of agricultural commodities or domestic policies aimed at affecting agricultural prices are often seen as causing a policy dilemma: a fall in agricultural prices benefits poor urban consumers but hurts poor rural producers, while a rise...

Are product standards protectionism in disguise? This paper estimates the costs of non-compliance with U.S. product standards, using a new database on U.S. import refusals from 2002 to 2012. We find that import refusals significantly decrease exports to the United States. This trade reducing...

Are product standards protectionism in disguise? This paper estimates the costs of non-compliance with U.S. product standards, using a new database on U.S. import refusals from 2002 to 2012. We find that import refusals significantly decrease exports to the United States. This trade reducing...

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...

For a long time, services were considered non-tradable in the literature of international economics. However, the sector has emerged with profound importance on the basis of strong underpinnings. Technological advancement, financial constraints and limited options, and regulatory changes have...

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...