Trade and Industrial Policy Environment in Bangladesh with Special Reference to Some Non-Traditional Export Sectors
Contents: Preface. 1. Trade and industrial policy environment in Bangladesh: an introduction/Abdur Razzaque and Selim Raihan. 2. A review of the evolution of trade and industrial policies in Bangladesh/Selim Raihan and Abdur Razzaque. 3. Anti-export bias and trade policy options for Bangladesh/Abdur Razzaque and Selim Raihan. 4. Assessing investment climate in Bangladesh: an appraisal/Abdur Razzaque and Selim Raihan. 5. Non-traditional exports: a brief review of some selected sector-specific and general constraints/Abu Eusuf, Mahbub Alam, Mokammel K. Toufique and Rabeya Khatoon. 6. Summary and conclusions/Abdur Razzaque and Selim Raihan. References. Index.
"During the past twenty years or so, Bangladesh has implemented wide-ranging trade policy reforms. These liberalization measures have led to a remarkable decline in quantitative restrictions, notable opening up of trade in many restricted items, significant rationalization and diminution of import tariffs, fundamental transformation of the foreign exchange regime and promotion of the export-oriented sectors. Although a remarkable rise in exports marks the same period, if the growth of the ready made garment sector is to be attributed to a restricted textiles and clothing global trade managed under the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA) regime, which expired only recently, the impact of liberalisation in stimulating export response can be doubted. In the aftermath of the MFA phase out, how effective a policy of liberalization will be in promoting exports is therefore a serious concern.
This book reviews the main elements of trade and industrial policy environment in Bangladesh and their evolution to current situation, while examining the trade policy options for supporting export and growth. It also provides an appraisal of investment climate assessments to identify the most relevant issues for consideration, and attempts a brief review of constraints associated with some selected non-traditional export sectors." (jacket)
