This article offers an interesting survey of the ASEAN countries’ role as raw material suppliers to Western Germany and the EC, its history, present performance and future prospects. Some of this paper’s contents are very informative and surprising indeed.

1. Introduction -- 2. Developing country growth and the commodity terms of trade -- 3. The statistical properites of commodity prices -- 4. Country case studies : primary commodities and economic development -- 5. Conclusion : commodity dependence in developing countries: economic destiny or...