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on Africa |
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Issue of 2006‒02‒19
two papers chosen by Suzanne McCoskey Foreign Service Institute, US Department of State |
| By: | Fabien Candau; Sebastien Jean |
| Abstract: | This study shows that EU preferences to developing countries were fairly well utilised in 2001, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. For several sub-Saharan African countries, the value of EU tariff preferences, even without accounting for tariff rate quota rents, is worth a significant proportion of their world exports. For non-African Least Developed Countries, in contrast, we find that the EBA initiative was only half-utilised approximately, although it is the only preferential regime available to most of them. It is difficult to reach a firm conclusion since 2001 was the first year of enforcement of Everything But Arms (EBA), and figures for 2002 show utilisation is on the rise, but rules of origin appear to limit significantly the value of this scheme. This also likely explains why the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme is significantly under-utilised in the manufacturing sector, even when the receiving country is not eligible to any other preferential regime. |
| Keywords: | Preferential trade arrangements; EU; Africa; GSP |
| JEL: | F13 N77 |
| Date: | 2005–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cii:cepidt:2005-19&r=afr |
| By: | Mwangi S. Kimenyi (University of Connecticut) |
| Abstract: | The paper discusses the meaning and measurement of pro-poor growth and also reviews evidence of pro-poor growth (or the lack of it) in a large cross-section of countries and time periods. The emerging story is that many episodes of growth are not pro-poor and also that although economic reforms have had positive effects in those countries that have been steadfast in implementing market reforms, the overall impact on growth has been small for many countries and in most cases not pro-poor. I present a general theory of pro-poor growth that includes ten principles that should be incorporated in all economic reforms that seek to generate pro-poor growth. These principles highlight the importance of understanding the poor, their economic activities, capabilities, constraints that impede their participation in markets and also an appreciation of linkages within sectors and regions. It is argued that pro-poor reforms cannot have the intended impact unless there are significant changes in the institutions of governance. Finally, the principles presented underscore the fact that pro-poor growth policies cannot be sustained without workable partnerships between markets and states in the ever changing and complex processes of social and economic development. |
| Keywords: | Economic Reform, Pro-Poor Growth, Developing Countries, Economies in Transition, Africa, Poverty Reduction. |
| JEL: | O10 O21 I30 |
| Date: | 2006–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uct:uconnp:2006-02&r=afr |