African Countries in the World Trading System: International Trade, Domestic Institutions and the Role of International Law

26 Pages Posted: 20 Jun 2012

See all articles by Melaku G. Desta

Melaku G. Desta

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Moshe Hirsch

Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Faculty of Law

Date Written: June 20, 2012

Abstract

This article addresses an important and complex subject relating to the link between international law and economic development. There is broad agreement that trade liberalization and participation in foreign markets play an important role in economic development. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have generally pursued a liberalization route over the past two decades, but their economic performance has been deeply disappointing. In this article, we look at seven countries in the Horn of Africa and examine, from legal and institutional perspectives, the central question of why these countries have failed to translate their comparative advantage, particularly in the livestock sector, into meaningful trade-led economic growth. In order to answer this question, we have reviewed the relevant legal and policy instruments and the literature, visited five of the seven countries, and interviewed different players in the livestock value chain. Analysis of the evidence reveals that the main impediments to trade relate to rising sanitary import requirements in foreign markets and weak institutional capacity within the Horn. The limited technical and financial resources available to these countries also reduce their capacity to meet these standards. Meaningful institutional change requires substantial involvement of local actors and it takes place incrementally and over the long-term. International law can play a role in this process by promoting rule of law and tackling corruption, facilitating capacity building, and encouraging regional integration.

Keywords: international trade, domestic institutions, international law, economic growth, trade liberalization, Africa, livestock exports

JEL Classification: F02, F10, F20, F30, F40

Suggested Citation

Desta, Melaku G. and Hirsch, Moshe, African Countries in the World Trading System: International Trade, Domestic Institutions and the Role of International Law (June 20, 2012). Society of International Economic Law (SIEL), 3rd Biennial Global Conference, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2088327 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2088327

Melaku G. Desta

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Moshe Hirsch (Contact Author)

Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Faculty of Law ( email )

Mount Scopus
Mount Scopus, IL 91905
Israel

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