Regionalism and Trade Facilitation: A Primer

40 Pages Posted: 10 May 2007 Last revised: 6 Apr 2008

Date Written: January 1, 2008

Abstract

This paper investigates when trade facilitation reform should be undertaken at the regional level. First, looking at both efficiency and implementation considerations, it confirms the perception that the regional dimension matters. Investigating where efficiency gains can be made, this research explains why national markets alone fail to produce the full scale economies and positive externalities of trade facilitation reform. Second, because trade facilitation policies need to address coordination and capacity failures, and because of the operational complexity challenge, the choice of the adequate platform for delivering reform is crucial. The lessons are that regional trade agreements offer good prospects of comprehensive and effective reform and can effectively complement multilateral and national initiatives. However, examples of implementation of trade facilitation reform in regional agreements do not seem to indicate that regional integration approaches have been more successful than trade facilitation through specific cooperation agreements or other efforts, multilateral or unilateral. Customs unions may be an exception here, and the author suggests reasons why this could be the case.

Keywords: Transport Economics Policy & Planning, Trade Law, Trade and Regional Integration, Free Trade, Trade Policy

JEL Classification: F13

Suggested Citation

Maur, Jean-Christophe, Regionalism and Trade Facilitation: A Primer (January 1, 2008). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 4464, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=985254

Jean-Christophe Maur (Contact Author)

World Bank ( email )

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Washington, DC 20433
United States

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