Marginalisation of LDCs and Small Vulnerable States in World Trade: Economic Paper No. 71 (Economic Paper Series) - Softcover

Bora, Bijit; Grynberg, Roman; Razzaque, Mohammed A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0850928192 ISBN 13: 9780850928198

Publisher: Commonwealth Secretariat, 2005

Synopsis

There are indisputable concerns over the ineffective participation of Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) in the process of global integration, and their failure to derive benefits from the ongoing process of trade liberalisation and globalisation. The present paper explains the theme of 'marginalisation' of Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) in the international trade arena, in terms of their declining relative importance in world trade. Statistical analysis is used to determine the long-term declining share of LDCs and SVEs in world merchandise exports. The study argues that the process of marginalisation of these countries is mostly the result of the failure of LDCs and SVS to diversify from their static comparative advantage related to the production of primary products, the significance of which in world trade has declined considerably during the past decades. The analysis emphasises the need for diversification of exports and an expansion of the manufacturing export base in these countries.

About this title

Product Description

There are indisputable concerns over the ineffective participation of Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) in the process of global integration, and their failure to derive benefits from the ongoing process of trade liberalisation and globalisation. This paper explains the theme of 'marginalisation' of LDCs and SVEs in the international trade arena, and their declining relative importance in world trade. Statistical analysis is used to determine the long-term declining share of LDCs and SVEs in world merchandise exports. The study argues that the process of marginalisation of these countries is mostly the result of the failure of LDCs and SVEs to diversify from their static comparative advantage related to the production of primary products, the significance of which in world trade has declined considerably during the past decades. The analysis emphasises the need for diversification of exports and an expansion of the manufacturing export base in these countries.

About the Author

Roman Grynberg is the Deputy Director of the Economic Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, London.

Mohammad A. Razzaque is Adviser & Head, International Trade & Regional Co-operation in the Economic Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat. He has written extensively and edited several volumes on trade and development issues. He is the editor of "Trade Hot Topics", which aims to communicate technical trade policy issues to wider readership. He holds a PhD from the University of Sussex and has previously taught at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Edition details

• Publisher: Commonwealth Secretariat
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0850928192
• ISBN 13: 9780850928198
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 126