Policy Briefs
Boosting World Trade in Tunisia and Egypt by Cutting Non-Tariff Barriers Better Imports for Better Exports
No.
14
Date
June, 2016
Topic
F1. Trade
F. International Economics
In a nutshell
- Egypt and Tunisia have embraced trade liberalization which has helped them establish a successful export-focused strategy.
- However, the cost of non-tariff measures (NTMs) — policy measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that can potentially have an economic effect on international trade — has increased substantially.
- To achieve successful economic transition — which is a big challenge alongside their political transition — Tunisia and Egypt need to reform their NTMs.
- The reform process must be based on structured public-private dialogue with a common goal of improving firms’ competitiveness.
- This process includes enhancing import settings, streamlining NTMs, simplification of procedures and transparency.
- It should also include establishing harmonization measures to facilitate access to foreign markets. The two strands are closely linked as better export means better import.
Policy Affiliates
Zouhour Karray
Program Manager, World Bank Group