Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/144180 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Series/Report no.: 
WTO Staff Working Paper No. ERSD-2016-05
Publisher: 
World Trade Organization (WTO), Geneva
Abstract: 
This study analyses the role of Aid for Trade in reducing trade costs in least developed countries (LDCs). The analysis builds on questionnaires and case stories submitted as part of the Aid-for-Trade monitoring and evaluation exercise for the Fifth Global Review of Aid for Trade. Trade costs are high in LDCs and constitute a major impediment to their participation in international trade. The most important sources of trade costs in LDCs are inadequate transport infrastructure, cumbersome border procedures and compliance with non-tariff measures for merchandise exports. In the case of LDC services exports, major drivers of trade costs include ICT networks, poor regulation, low skill levels, the recognition of professional qualifications and restrictions on the movement of natural persons. LDCs are well aware of the issue of high trade costs, which is addressed by more than 90% of LDCs in their national strategies. Trade facilitation is the top Aid-for-Trade priority for LDCs, which is also reflected in increasing Aid-for-Trade flows. The analysis of questionnaires, case stories, diagnostic trade integration studies and existing econometric work illustrates the important role played by Aid-for-Trade interventions in lowering trade costs in LDCs.
Subjects: 
trade costs
aid for trade
trade facilitation
least developed countries
JEL: 
F13
F35
F63
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
772.48 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.