Eliminating excessive tariffs on exports of least developed countries

Bernard Hoekman, Francis Ng and Marcelo Olarreaga

No 2604, Policy Research Working Paper Series from The World Bank

Abstract: Most goods imported from developing countries, enter Quad markets duty-free, and, average tariffs in Quad markets are very low. But tariffs for some commodities are over one hundred percent. Such"tariff peaks"are often concentrated in products developing countries want to export: agricultural, and food products - especially such staples as sugar, cereals, and fish; fruits and vegetables; food products with a high sugar content; and, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages - and products from such labor-intensive sectors as apparel, and footwear. Giving least developed countries full duty- and quota-free access in the Quad for peak-tariff products would increase their total annual exports by eleven percent - or roughly $ 2.5 billion. Exports to Quad countries of peak-tariff products, would expand by 30-60 percent. Considering that peak-tariff items account for only a small share of developing countries'exports, granting lest developed countries duty-free access, would have only a negligible impact on other developing countries. For the same reason, Quad imports increase only marginally, suggesting that this factor should not constrain implementation of duty-free access for the poorest countries.

Keywords: Crops&Crop Management Systems; Export Competitiveness; Agribusiness&Markets; Food&Beverage Industry; Economic Theory&Research; TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT; Export Competitiveness; Agribusiness&Markets; Water and Industry; Environmental Economics&Policies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001-05-31
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (30)

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Journal Article: Eliminating Excessive Tariffs on Exports of Least Developed Countries (2002)
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