Strengthening BolivianCompetitiveness : Export Diversification and Inclusive Growth

World Bank

World Bank

关键词: AGGREGATE DEMAND;    AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS;    AGRICULTURE;    APPAREL;    BORDER TRADE;   

DOI  :  10.1596/978-0-8213-8021-5
RP-ID  :  49928

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Bolivia's trade liberalization,launched in the mid-1980s, has resulted in a relatively opentrade regime; but the results have been mixed.Bolivia's export to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratioand export entrepreneurship index rating are among thehighest in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region andthe country has achieved great success in making soya themajor export crop in less than 10 years. At the same time,the country's share in world trade has stagnated andexports are increasingly dominated by gas and minerals.Reinvigorating the nontraditional export sector is importantfor the government of Bolivia as it implements its nationaldevelopment plan. As a resource-rich country, the Boliviangovernment's emphasis on export diversification iswell-placed but the optimal nontraditional export strategyshould build on successes in the traditional sector. Thisstudy investigates: (a) the role trade should play inBolivia's development strategy considering thecountry's natural resource endowment; (b) the lessonsof Bolivia's integration to the world economy; (c) thelinkages between Bolivia's past trade and economy and aforward-looking analysis of the impact of differentscenarios on growth, employment, trade flows, and poverty;(d) constraints to higher export competitiveness andweaknesses related to transport and logistics; and (e) thecharacteristics of exporting firms and the constraintsaffecting them. The main findings of the analysis are thatpreferential access to world markets is necessary but notsufficient for success in nontraditional exports; rather,success depends largely on increasing the competitiveness ofexporting firms. Second, a neutral incentive regime isessential to the growth of nontraditional exports. Third,efficient backbone services are vital for reducingexporters' costs. Finally, the government should beproactive in addressing institutional impediments tocross-border trade. The study presents prioritized policyimplications of the analysis related to: (i) trade policyand preferential access to markets; (ii) the incentivesregime; (iii) backbone services; (iv) increasing theeffectiveness of institutions to promote cross-border trade;and (v) setting the foundations for exports diversification.