Export diversification in a transitioning economy: the case of Syria

Jamus Lim and Christian Saborowski

No 5811, Policy Research Working Paper Series from The World Bank

Abstract: How does the process of export diversification play out in a transitioning economy, especially in light of government policy aimed at trade liberalization? This paper examines this question by considering a directed policy effort by Syria -- an economy transitioning from both economic centralization and resource dependence -- to liberalize its trade in 2001. In addition to documenting the patterns of diversification at the aggregate level since the implementation of the policy, we also examine factors that are related to diversification at the sectoral level. Our findings suggest that, while Syria has achieved reasonably rapid export diversification, this may to a large extent be the result of structural transformations in the economy, and that further consolidation of diversification gains may require continued policy reform along the lines of strengthening Syria's weak institutional and business environment.

Keywords: Free Trade; Economic Theory&Research; Trade Policy; Agribusiness&Markets; Achieving Shared Growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-09-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ara and nep-int
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Journal Article: Export diversification in a transitioning economy (2012)
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