The main objective of this paper is to assess the potential effects of the WTO agreements on income distribution and welfare in Côte d'Ivoire. For this purpose, a dynamic CGE model is used to analyze the impacts of three scenarios ranging from partial and complete unilateral trade liberalization to multilateral application of tariff cuts according to the Uruguay round as discussed within the Doha agenda. The simulation results indicate that a partial or complete unilateral liberalization would induce a decrease in GDP, household income and household welfare compared to the baseline. Conversely, multilateral trade liberalization should positively affect economic growth, income, consumption and well being for almost all the household categories. However, our results indicate that the liberalization of foreign trade will not significantly alter the structure of income distribution. Changes in the Gini index remain insignificant for all scenarios.
Develops a model to examine the impact of trade liberalization on wages. Argues that trade liberalization will reduce wages in countries which are labour abundant relative to the global economy, if these same countries are capital abundant relative to countries in its reference set.
Could regional integration be a first step toward joining the global market? In a context where liberalizing trade has not produced the expected gains in developing countries and growth in global trade has not led to the expected economic growth, an alternative solution has emerged. This new paradigm suggests that trade liberalization should be accompanied by public investment. However, by its very nature, trade liberalization leads to a reduction in revenues from duties and taxes, which means that the available resources for public investments will also be reduced. There are now solid arguments for encouraging the less-developed countries to first emphasize regional integration before trying to access the global market. This book explores the issues linked to regional integration in West Africa and presents empirical data about the experiences in = West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries to converge their economies. It also examines how these efforts, which make a major contribution to regional integration, influence poverty reduction in the economic and monetary community. It will be of interest to researchers working in this area. Elias T. Ayuk is Director of the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa in Accra, Ghana, and was formerly a senior program specialist at the International Development Research Centre. Samuel T. Kaboré is a researcher/lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Management at the University of Ouagadougou II, Burkina Faso. Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. IDRC also encourages sharing this knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring choice and change to those who need it most. Elias T. Ayuk is Director of the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa in Accra, Ghana, and was formerly a senior program specialist at the International Development Research Centre. Samuel T. Kaboré is a researcher/lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Management at the University of Ouagadougou II, Burkina Faso. Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. IDRC also encourages sharing this knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring choice and change to those who need it most.
