European Accession and the Trade Facilitation Agenda

Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy (JICEP), 2010

Posted: 22 Aug 2011

See all articles by John S. Wilson

John S. Wilson

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG)

Xubei Luo

World Bank

Harry G. Broadman

World Bank - Europe and Central Asia Region

Date Written: October 1, 2010

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of improved trade facilitation measures and institutional capacity in a set of economies in transition Europe. Our results suggest that behind-the-border barriers play an important role in determining bilateral trade flows (controlling for the effects of tariffs, development levels, distance, and regional characteristics of exporters and importers, among other factors). For European Union (EU) members that joined the Union in 2004 and less developed and candidate members raising capacity in port efficiency and information technology infrastructures halfway to the EU-15 average, trade could expand by US $49 billion and US $62 billion respectively. In the context of the economic crisis and fragile recovery, as well as efforts to strengthen Europe integration, efforts to facilitate trade with investments to raise capacity in trade facilitation should be considered as part of policy steps going forward.

Keywords: International trade, Europe and Central Asia, trade facilitation, gravity model

Suggested Citation

Wilson, John S. and Luo, Xubei and Broadman, Harry G., European Accession and the Trade Facilitation Agenda (October 1, 2010). Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy (JICEP), 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1914004

John S. Wilson

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG) ( email )

1818 H. Street, N.W.
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Washington, DC 20433
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Xubei Luo

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Harry G. Broadman (Contact Author)

World Bank - Europe and Central Asia Region ( email )

1818 H Street
Washington, DC 20433
United States
202-473-1312 (Phone)
202-522-2753 (Fax)

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