Trade Liberalization and Poverty in Bangladesh

Selim Raihan ()

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: The impact of trade liberalization on growth and employment is a much debated and controversial issue. In theory, trade liberalization results in productivity gains through increased competition, efficiency, innovation and acquisition of new technology. Trade policy works by inducing substitution effects in the production and consumption of goods and services through changes in price. These factors, in turn, influence the level and composition of exports and imports. In particular, the changing relative price induced by trade liberalization causes a more efficient reallocation of resources. Trade liberalization is also seen as expanding economic opportunities by enlarging the market size and enhancing the impact of knowledge spillover. However, empirical evidence to support these propositions is far from conclusive. Both cross-country and country-specific studies have failed to suggest any conclusive evidence to support the claim that trade liberalization promotes economic growth and aids net employment generation. There have been concerns over whether the impact of trade liberalization has been favourable to the domestic economy in Bangladesh. There is a lack of consensus on the issue. There is also continuing debate over the future direction of trade liberalization in Bangladesh. Questions have been raised over whether Bangladesh ought to undertake further drastic wholesale liberalization of trade or adopt a more gradual approach. Against this backdrop, this paper assesses trade liberalization in Bangladesh and examines its impact on growth and employment in the country.

Keywords: Trade Liberalization; Economic Growth; Poverty; Bangladesh (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C22 F10 F14 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008-12
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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