This book looks at four main questions relevant to the discussion of implementation and effectiveness of aid for trade. • How severe are the various possible constraints to trade expansion? • How different are the constraints to imports from the constraints to exports? • What impact would...

The world’s economy did not suffer de-globalisation after the 2008-2009 Global Crisis, but entered a phase of "New Normal". While trade-income elasticity has been returning to its pre-1990s long-term values, the world is much more open to trade today than it was 25 years ago. We show that part...

Despite the long relationship between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries aimed at encouraging their exports while stimulating growth and investment, the ACP states still face difficulties in integrating into the world economy. This paper examines the...

There has been much concern about Africa's recent export performance. Africa's share of world exports has declined and most countries are highly dependent upon a narrow range of primary commodities for export earnings. This article looks at factors that affect the export performance of...

Global value chains (GVCs) break up the production process so different steps can be carried out in different countries. It will come as no surprise that GVC trade is very vulnerable to trade costs, which are amplified and magnified when production is geographically fragmented. This paper...

The paper provides an introduction to the use of input-output analysis and graph theory for understanding trade in the global value chains perspective. Applying these topological properties to the East Asian and Pacific context, it shows that the inter-industry network moved from a simple...

We provide a synthesis of the theoretical models that study the use of escape clauses, also known as safeguards, in multilateral and preferential trade agreements. We consider models that explain this type of flexibility based on economic efficiency, political economy shocks, and...

Are the wage gains from exports specific to exporting industries, or do they dissipate throughout the economy? In the language of trade theory, are the benefits from exporting industry specific or factor specific? To analyze this question, we study the case of Bangladesh. Bangladesh was the 4th...

We investigate the long-term effects of export opportunities to a large destination market on multinational affiliates and domestic firms in a low-income host country. The US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement reduced US import tariffs on exports from Vietnam. Tariff reductions led to entry...

We investigate the long-term effects of export opportunities to a large destination market on multinational affiliates and domestic firms in a low-income host country. The US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement reduced US import tariffs on exports from Vietnam. Tariff reductions led to entry of...