OAR@UM Collection: /library/oar/handle/123456789/30577 2025-12-28T22:45:07Z Small island developing states and agricultural trade liberalisation /library/oar/handle/123456789/33180 Title: Small island developing states and agricultural trade liberalisation Authors: Monge-Roffarello, Luca; Swidinsky, Michael; Vanzetti, David Abstract: The WTO negotiations on agriculture, in particular on market access, have revealed a division among developing countries. While substantial reductions in tariffs on a Most- Favoured-Nation basis could increase the market share for agricultural exporting developing countries, it could well be as a result of trade diversion from other developing country suppliers whose preferential access to the market is eroded. This chapter provides a quantitative assessment ofthe impact of "small-islandness" on the agricultural trading environment of SIDS, and identifies the types of rules or "modalities" that might be desirable from their own trade and development perspective. The chapter argues that SIDS are likely to be made worse off following multilateral liberalisation because of loss of quota rents and rising prices of imports. However, one compensatory measure, that of enhanced market access specifically granted to SIDS, could substantially offset their welfare losses. 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z A case for special treatment : small island developing states in international trade negotiations /library/oar/handle/123456789/31908 Title: A case for special treatment : small island developing states in international trade negotiations Authors: Bhuglah, Assad Abstract: Recent international developments have rendered Small Island Developing States (SIDS) more vulnerable than ever before, principally because of their high dependence on trade and their weak capability to adjust. This chapter examines the special conditions of SIDS, and argues that these are more exposed to international trade than other groups of countries, have higher reliance on import duties for their government revenue, need to take steps to help local manufacturers compensate for the high cost of doing business in SIDS and need to put in place relatively high fiscal incentives to attract FDI. The WTO rules, as being developed are likely to impact SIDS much more heavily than other groups of countries, and there is therefore the need to consider these states as meriting some form of special transitional arrangements to enable them to adjust in a reasonable span of time. The chapter proposes a negotiations strategy for SIDS, but it does not make a plea for permanent protection, and for this reason it proposes that SIDS should upgrade their productivity in order to step up their competitiveness to be better able to participate in the globalisation process. 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z Subject index and author index /library/oar/handle/123456789/31907 Title: Subject index and author index Abstract: This document lists the subject indexes and the author indexes of the book Competitiveness strategies for small states. 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z Productivity and competitiveness in Barbados : enterprise and national initiatives /library/oar/handle/123456789/31050 Title: Productivity and competitiveness in Barbados : enterprise and national initiatives Authors: Downes, Andrew S. Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of the enterprise and national initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity and competitiveness in Barbados. The institutional background to productivity management in Barbados is first discussed. This is followed by an examination of enterprise and national initiatives and experiences with productivity management and competitiveness. The chapter concludes with a set of suggestions for developing a national productivity management and competitiveness programme for Barbados. The chapter argues that there is need for a greater sustained effort for boosting productivity at the enterprise and national levels in this small island state. The institutions charged with this effort need to establish a national strategic development plan aimed at promoting productivity, growth and development. Such a plan would incorporate programs for enhancing human capital, promoting physical investment, strengthening institutions and maintaining macroeconomic stability. 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z