Regional Trade Arrangements in Africa: Past Performance and the Way Forward

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Periodical article

Title:	Regional Trade Arrangements in Africa: Past Performance and the Way Forward
Authors:	Yang, Yongzheng Gupta, Sanjeev
Year:	2007
Periodical:	African Development Review
Volume:	19
Issue:	3
Pages:	399-431
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	international economic relations trade policy African organizations economic integration Inter-African Relations Economics and Trade international relations Development and Technology
External link:	https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8268.2007.00169.x/pdf
Abstract:	Regional trade arrangements (RTAs) in Africa have been ineffective in promoting trade and foreign direct investment. Relatively high external trade barriers and low resource complementarity between member countries limit both intra and extraregional trade. Small market size, poor transport facilities and high trading costs make it difficult for African countries to reap the potential benefits of RTAs. To increase regional trade and investment, African countries need to undertake more broad-based liberalization and streamline existing RTAs, supported by improvements in infrastructure and trade facilitation. Early action to strengthen the domestic revenue base would help address concerns over revenue losses from trade liberalization. App., bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]