Suchergebnisse

Providing an evaluation of procedures for quantifying the effects of non-tariff barriers, this book examines the theoretical bases for alternative procedures for measuring NTBs effects, and also presents a critical survey of previous studies that utilized these empirical studies.

The linkages between trade and resource mobilization are complex and not well defined in theory. To what extent does trade policy affect resource mobilization and what are the mechanisms? We argue that trade policy is a key factor of influencing the domestic fundamental balance between aggregate savings and investment. The main effect of trade policy on resource mobilization stems from its contribution to static and dynamic gains from trade. But the effect of trade policy on the supply of financial resources also operates through several channels including through linkages of trade policy with foreign investment, government revenues, income distribution, foreign aid. The paper looks at direct and indirect channels, and makes a distinction between short and long term effects of different trade strategies. We also briefly review trade barriers in goods and services affecting developing countries and the potential gains from further liberalization. The long term gains from trade liberalization are substantial, but they may have to be set against short-term adjustments costs. The latter could and should be reduced by effective institutional and tax reforms.

The EU model is being progressively transmitted to other economies through expansion of membership and various preferential agreements. Since EU trade polices have been criticised in a number of respects, this could be a matter of concern to the international community. However, in the case of the customs union between the EU and Turkey, the result seems to have been generally beneficial to both partners as well as third countries. In areas such as agriculture, state aids, anti-dumping and TRIMS there is as yet no alignment but it would be hard to see that alignment would lead to any market opening in Turkey.

The EU's import policies towards developing countries are complex, stemming from important sectoral and country variations in policy. Average tariffs are modest, and, while there are tariff peaks and escalation in some areas of interest to developing countries, these are being reduced as a result of the implementation of the results of the Uruguay Round. The use of non-tariff measures has fallen, particularly as a result of agricultural tariffication, and is being further reduced in textiles and clothing. The elimination of VERs has not led to an increase in the use of alternative measures. Contingency protection falls more heavily in chemicals, iron and steel, certain textile items and certain electrical consumer goods and on Asian, Central and Eastern European and former Soviet Union countries. The operation of various factors appears to be working to mitigate the use of trade defence measures in recent years, helping to counter pressures that seem likely to arise as liberalization proceeds.

This book gauges possible development implications of current WTO trade negotiations by examining various proposals and assessing their likely economic impact. The experiences of a number of countries at different levels of development and across various regions are examined to ascertain the impact of their trade reforms.

In the era of rapid globalization, ITC is an important organization, and this work will seek to fill the gap in the existing literature by discussing the history, ongoing projects and future challenges of this dynamic organization. The status of ITC - half-in and half-out of the UN - could prove to be an interesting model for the future, and this work provides a comprehensive survey of the organization.