Binding Constraints to Trade Expansion Aid for Trade Objectives and Diagnostics Tools

However, the potential of trade may not be realized as developing countries often face binding constraints that prevent them from turning trade opportunities into trade, and trade into growth. First, they face difficulties turning trade opportunities into trade flows because of capacity constraints...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hallaert, Jean-Jacques
Other Authors: Munro, Laura
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Paris OECD Publishing 2009
Series:OECD Trade Policy Papers
Subjects:
Online Access:
Collection: OECD Books and Papers - Collection details see MPG.ReNa
LEADER 02872nma a2200265 u 4500
001 EB001828228
003 EBX01000000000000000994674
005 00000000000000.0
007 cr|||||||||||||||||||||
008 180616 ||| eng
100 1 |a Hallaert, Jean-Jacques 
245 0 0 |a Binding Constraints to Trade Expansion  |h Elektronische Ressource  |b Aid for Trade Objectives and Diagnostics Tools  |c Jean-Jacques, Hallaert and Laura, Munro 
260 |a Paris  |b OECD Publishing  |c 2009 
300 |a 33 p.  |c 21 x 29.7cm 
653 |a Trade 
700 1 |a Munro, Laura 
041 0 7 |a eng  |2 ISO 639-2 
989 |b OECD  |a OECD Books and Papers 
490 0 |a OECD Trade Policy Papers 
024 8 |a /10.1787/5kmlbl6glf5d-en 
856 4 0 |a oecd-ilibrary.org  |u https://doi.org/10.1787/5kmlbl6glf5d-en  |x Verlag  |3 Volltext 
082 0 |a 380 
520 |a However, the potential of trade may not be realized as developing countries often face binding constraints that prevent them from turning trade opportunities into trade, and trade into growth. First, they face difficulties turning trade opportunities into trade flows because of capacity constraints and lack of adequate trade-related infrastructure. Second, some domestic constraints choke the impact of trade expansion on economic growth. The paper focuses on the first set of constraints and presents various diagnostic tools available to identify them. These tools often pinpoint a long list of constraints. As all constraints cannot be addressed simultaneously, there is a need to identify the most binding ones in order to prioritize reforms. The paper suggests combining the different diagnostic tools in an appropriate framework to achieve this prioritization. An adaptation of the growth diagnostics- originally developed by Hausmann et al.  
520 |a (2005) for guiding growth strategies-can be such a framework. By shifting the focus from growth to trade, this framework can be readily adapted by local authorities and development practitioners 
520 |a Trade can be a powerful engine for economic growth, poverty reduction, and development. However, harnessing the power of trade is often difficult for developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, because of supply-side domestic constraints (lack of trade-related infrastructure and capacity). The Aid for Trade Initiative was launched to address these constraints. This paper sets forth strategies to identify the most binding constraints to trade expansion so countries and donors can channel resources toward reforms and projects that have the largest effect. It shows that the four most common objectives of aid-for-trade projects (increasing trade, diversifying exports, maximizing the linkages with the domestic economy, and increasing adjustment capacity) have the potential to boost growth and reduce poverty in developing countries.