The Influence Of Logistics Competence In International Trade In Sri Lanka

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The Influence of Logistics Competence in International Trade in Sri Lanka

Author : Lalith Edirisinghe
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 2 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (13 download)

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Book Synopsis The Influence of Logistics Competence in International Trade in Sri Lanka by : Lalith Edirisinghe

Download or read book The Influence of Logistics Competence in International Trade in Sri Lanka written by Lalith Edirisinghe and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 2 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It is acknowledged that more than 90 percent of global trade is carried by sea. Shipping is a derived demand of international trade in economic terms. The container help reduces the global supply chain cost. Sri Lanka is strategically located in Indian ocean proximity to East-West main sea lane. This has made the country influential in international trading for many countries. Sixteen out of world's top twenty shipping lines have their presence in port of Colombo. The Greater Indian Ocean region stretching eastward from the Horn of Africa past the Arabian Peninsula, the Iranian plateau and the Indian subcontinent, all the way to the Indonesian archipelago and beyond, will be the centre of global conflicts, because most international business supply will be conducted through this route. This has created highly beneficial international trading environment for its stakeholders. Road transportation counts for more than 90 percent of the land transport in the island and covers more than 12,000 km of A and B class roads. However, traffic congestion particularly in and around ports is a serious problem for trucking companies and comes at a high cost. Since the freight rates are comparatively lower the trading partners are at an advantage among their competitors. With many shipping lines are attracted to offer services in Colombo the exporters and importers have multiple sailing opportunities to and from Sri Lanka. Given the geographic factor that the country is located very close to an economic giant -India a substantial volume of Indian exports and imports are routed via Colombo. There is a tremendous pressure on reducing logistics cost and carbon footprint. These factors provide a reasonable insight to the complex nature of logistics impact in the international trade.The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of logistics competence in international trade with special reference to Sri Lanka. This paper discusses the factors with respect to the contemporary view of logistics competence. It intends providing the policy makers to see the need to implement coherent and consistent policies to foster seamless and sustainable supply chain operations as an engine of growth.

Logistics Competencies, Skills, and Training

Author : Alan McKinnon
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 1464811415
Total Pages : 144 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (648 download)

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Book Synopsis Logistics Competencies, Skills, and Training by : Alan McKinnon

Download or read book Logistics Competencies, Skills, and Training written by Alan McKinnon and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2017-09-01 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite the spread of automation and new supply chain management paradigms, logistics remains dependent on a rather specific set of skills and competencies, whether for managerial, administrative, or blue-collar jobs, such as trucking or warehousing. This dependence implies that the logistical performance of businesses, industries, and nation states is strongly influenced by the quantity and quality of the workforce. Insufficient resources of a competent and properly trained workforce in logistics adversely affect the quality of service, reduce productivity in sectors dependent on logistics, and ultimately reduce trade competitiveness. While other interventions that affect logistics performance—such as international infrastructures, trade corridors, regulations, and services—have already been reviewed extensively, this report is the first to cover the contributions of human resources and explore how to develop skills and improve competencies, especially in developing countries. The study proposes a framework for the skills needed according to the logistics activity (such as transportation or warehousing) or the type and level of responsibility. Based on several sources, including recent surveys carried out by the World Bank and the Kühne Logistics University, the report uncovers where the skills constraints are according to the type of job or countries. Findings include that logistics is an industry struggling to hire skilled workers, although with differences between developed countries (where trucker shortages are more acute) and developing economies (where managerial shortages are more widespread). Typically, blue-collar logistics jobs have lower status and lower pay than blue-collar jobs in other industries; they are thus less attractive for skilled workers. In developing countries with a potentially available workforce, lack of vocational preparation for careers in logistics means that less-skilled workers are not easily re-skilled. Logistics tasks at the upper end of the occupational hierarchy and those with high information technology content often require an upskilling of employees to keep pace with new technology. Yet the problem is not confined to recruitment. The surveys point to limited resources, money, and staff time allocated to training, especially in developing countries. Realizing the promise of quality jobs from the growth of logistics worldwide requires a coordinated effort by logistics companies, professional associations, training providers, and policy makers. Through a combination of facilitation, regulation, advice, financial instruments, and land use planning, governments can exert significant influence.

The Shipping and Logistics Performance and Its Impact to the Investments in Sri Lanka; A Contemporary Appraisal

Author : Lalith Edirisinghe
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 1 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (13 download)

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Book Synopsis The Shipping and Logistics Performance and Its Impact to the Investments in Sri Lanka; A Contemporary Appraisal by : Lalith Edirisinghe

Download or read book The Shipping and Logistics Performance and Its Impact to the Investments in Sri Lanka; A Contemporary Appraisal written by Lalith Edirisinghe and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 1 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The paradigm of interconnectedness continues to hold command in today's global community. However, countries face many challenges in making it happen competitively given inherent geographic factors as well as resource constraints internally. Therefore, innovations in logistics play a key role to improve the logistics performance. Interestingly, the challenges provide opportunities for innovation if it received in a positive attitude. This however, may work well only with a highly competent workforce. Accordingly, the knowledge and skills in shipping and logistics management is the key. The transport efficiency in sea, land, and air transport, ports, and airports development becomes significant. Regional corporation can therefore attract a brighter future for the world not only through effective utilization of tangible resources but also the learning curve advantage. This paper discusses the shipping and logistics performance and its impact to the investments in Sri Lanka. It provides analysis of logistics related indexes and its impact of investments in Sri Lanka. The paper analyses the logistics performances under six pillars namely, Customs, Infrastructure, International Shipments, Logistics Quality & Competence, Tracking and Tracing, Timeliness. The logistics related indicators published by various international organizations reveals that Sri lanka needs focus on improving logistics performance and derive the benefits of country's comparative advantages.

Sri Lanka Export-Import, Trade and Business Directory - Strategic Information and Contacts

Author : IBP. Inc.
Publisher : Lulu.com
ISBN 13 : 1433046253
Total Pages : 292 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (33 download)

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Book Synopsis Sri Lanka Export-Import, Trade and Business Directory - Strategic Information and Contacts by : IBP. Inc.

Download or read book Sri Lanka Export-Import, Trade and Business Directory - Strategic Information and Contacts written by IBP. Inc. and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2007-02-07 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 2011 Updated Reprint. Updated Annually. Sri Lanka Export-Import Trade and Business Directory

A Contemporary Appraisal of Logistics Performance in Sri Lanka

Author : Lalith Edirisinghe
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 8 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (13 download)

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Book Synopsis A Contemporary Appraisal of Logistics Performance in Sri Lanka by : Lalith Edirisinghe

Download or read book A Contemporary Appraisal of Logistics Performance in Sri Lanka written by Lalith Edirisinghe and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Logistics comprises a network of services that supports the physical movement of goods within and across borders. Logistics is understood as a network of services that support the physical movement of goods, trade across borders, and commerce within borders. It is a $4.3 trillion industry (The World Bank, 2018). The global perception about the logistics performance of the country can surely has an impact to the investments in Sri Lanka. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and The World Bank's Connecting to Compete report analyses countries in six components ascertaining various countries' performances namely, logistics performance indicator (LPI). This is a unique benchmarking tool, providing the same measure for more than 160 countries. The 2018 Logistics Performance Index scores countries on how efficiently they move goods across and within borders. Sri Lanka is geographically located in a highly strategic position. The main East-West sea route runs proximity to the country. The country is located very close to India - the Emerging Giant. This has been an enormous fortune for Sri Lanka to improve its logistics performances though scale of economies. However, Sri Lanka's logistics performance is not, in any way, commensurate with these comparative advantages.

Getting to Work

Author : Jennifer L. Solotaroff
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 1464810680
Total Pages : 218 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (648 download)

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Book Synopsis Getting to Work by : Jennifer L. Solotaroff

Download or read book Getting to Work written by Jennifer L. Solotaroff and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2020-03-18 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sri Lanka has shown remarkable persistence in low female labor force participation rates—at 36 percent from 2015 to 2017, compared with 75 percent for same-aged men—despite overall economic growth and poverty reduction over the past decade. The trend stands in contrast to the country’s achievements in human capital development that favor women, such as high levels of female education and low total fertility rates, as well as its status as an upper-middle-income country. This study intends to better understand the puzzle of women’s poor labor market outcomes in Sri Lanka. Using nationally representative secondary survey data—as well as primary qualitative and quantitative research—it tests three hypotheses that would explain gender gaps in labor market outcomes: (1) household roles and responsibilities, which fall disproportionately on women, and the associated sociophysical constraints on women’s mobility; (2) a human capital mismatch, whereby women are not acquiring the proper skills demanded by job markets; and (3) gender discrimination in job search, hiring, and promotion processes. Further, the analysis provides a comparison of women’s experience of the labor market between the years leading up to the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war (2006†“09) and the years following the civil war (2010†“15). The study recommends priority areas for addressing the multiple supply- and demand-side factors to improve women’s labor force participation rates and reduce other gender gaps in labor market outcomes. It also offers specific recommendations for improving women’s participation in the five private sector industries covered by the primary research: commercial agriculture, garments, tourism, information and communication technology, and tea estate work. The findings are intended to influence policy makers, educators, and employment program practitioners with a stake in helping Sri Lanka achieve its vision of inclusive and sustainable job creation and economic growth. The study also aims to contribute to the work of research institutions and civil society in identifying the most effective means of engaging more women— and their untapped potential for labor, innovation, and productivity—in Sri Lanka’s future.

The Internal Geography of Trade

Author : Thomas Farole
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 0821398938
Total Pages : 302 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (213 download)

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Book Synopsis The Internal Geography of Trade by : Thomas Farole

Download or read book The Internal Geography of Trade written by Thomas Farole and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2013-05-03 with total page 302 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Economic theory, including endogenous growth, the role of institutions, and, most importantly, the New Economic Geography (NEG), have made significant progress in explaining the emergence of core-periphery patterns behind this divergence. They point to the critical role of agglomeration, which confers benefits to metropolitan cores that have the advantages of large markets, deep labor pools, links to international markets, and clusters of diverse suppliers and institutions. Regions relatively near the metropolitan core are likely to benefit from spillovers and congestion-related dispersion. Regions further outside the core however, are not only less able to take advantage of spillovers, but also more likely to be far removed from key infrastructural, institutional, and interpersonal links to regional and international markets. As a result, they face significant challenges to becoming competitive locations to host economic activity. Thus the geographical pattern of core and peripheral regions is increasingly manifest in an economic pattern of 'leading' and 'lagging' regions.

Potential Exports and Nontariff Barriers to Trade

Author : Asian Development Bank
Publisher : Asian Development Bank
ISBN 13 : 9292691066
Total Pages : 133 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (926 download)

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Book Synopsis Potential Exports and Nontariff Barriers to Trade by : Asian Development Bank

Download or read book Potential Exports and Nontariff Barriers to Trade written by Asian Development Bank and published by Asian Development Bank. This book was released on 2021-11-01 with total page 133 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This publication explores how Bhutan could boost its exports by addressing nontariff barriers to trade. It focuses on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade, and on export products that have the potential to increase their market share in Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It considers options including legal reforms, the upgrade of quality standards and laboratory equipment, and institution building of accrediting bodies and conformity assessment bodies. Practical recommendations suggest ways forward for both the public and private sectors.

Special Economic Zones

Author : Thomas Farole
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 0821387634
Total Pages : 347 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (213 download)

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Book Synopsis Special Economic Zones by : Thomas Farole

Download or read book Special Economic Zones written by Thomas Farole and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2011-08-01 with total page 347 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For countries as diverse as China and Mauritius, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been a powerful tool to attract foreign investment, promote export-oriented growth, and generate employment; for many others, the results have been less than encouraging. While the benefits and limitations of zones will no doubt continue to be debated, what is clear is that policymakers are increasingly attracted to them as an instrument of trade, investment, industrial, and spatial policy. Since the mid 1980s, the number of newly-established zones has grown rapidly in almost all regions, with dramatic growth in developing countries. In parallel with this growth and in the evolving context of global trade and investment, zones are also undergoing significant change in both their form and function, with traditional export processing zones (EPZs) increasingly giving way to larger and more flexible SEZ models. This new context will bring significant opportunities for developing countries to take advantage of SEZs, but will also raise new challenges to their successful design and implementation. This volume aims to contribute to a better understanding of the role and practice of SEZs in developing countries, in order to better equip policymakers in making effective decisions in planning and implementing SEZ programs. It covers some of the emerging issues and challenges in SEZs including upgrading, regional integration, WTO compliance, innovation, the environment, and gender issues with practical case examples from SEZ programs in developing countries.

The Impact of International Trade on Employment Generation

Author : H.M.S.P. Herath
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 8 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (13 download)

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Book Synopsis The Impact of International Trade on Employment Generation by : H.M.S.P. Herath

Download or read book The Impact of International Trade on Employment Generation written by H.M.S.P. Herath and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unemployment is a common macroeconomic problem in developing countries. With lower per capita income and higher population growth, developing countries face a key issue of generating adequate employment opportunities to newly entered laborers to the labor force. The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of trade openness on employment level of Sri Lanka. The study mainly used secondary data published by the Department of Census and Statistics and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the 1990-2012 time period and analyzed the behavior of key variables which impact on employment level quantitatively. The Ordinary Least Square method (OLS) in multiple regression is employed to achieve the research objective. Trade effect on employment is assessed by employing three independent variables, import penetration ratio, export intensity and weighted tariff rate, in the empirical model. In addition to that Gross domestic product, capital labor ratio, foreign direct investments and real wage rate are identified as the major control variables and included in the empirical model. The study found a positive association between export intensity and employment level indicating that higher export intensity increase the employment level of Sri Lanka. Import penetration ratio shows a significant negative effect on Sri Lankan's total employment during the study period.

Infrastructure?s Role in Lowering Asia?s Trade Costs

Author : Douglas H. Brooks
Publisher : Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1781953279
Total Pages : 256 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (819 download)

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Book Synopsis Infrastructure?s Role in Lowering Asia?s Trade Costs by : Douglas H. Brooks

Download or read book Infrastructure?s Role in Lowering Asia?s Trade Costs written by Douglas H. Brooks and published by Edward Elgar Publishing. This book was released on 2009-01-30 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Much of the analysis of infrastructure's impact on trade costs focuses on conditions in developed countries. This book makes an invaluable contribution to our understanding by examining the situation in developing Asia, the world's most populous and fastest growing region. This study analyzes and draws policy implications from infrastructure's central role in lowering Asia's trade costs. Infrastructure is shown to be a cost-effective means of lowering trade costs and thereby promoting regional growth and integration. This book combines thematic and country studies, while breaking new ground in.

The Moderator Effect of Global Competitiveness Index on Dimensions of Logistics Performance Index

Author : Murat Çemberci
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 11 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (13 download)

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Book Synopsis The Moderator Effect of Global Competitiveness Index on Dimensions of Logistics Performance Index by : Murat Çemberci

Download or read book The Moderator Effect of Global Competitiveness Index on Dimensions of Logistics Performance Index written by Murat Çemberci and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The most important assessment tool that demonstrated the comparative situation of countries is Logistics Performance Index (LPI) created by World Bank. This index which has been prepared as a questionnaire consists of six dimensions. These dimensions are Customs: The efficiency of clearance process, Infrastructure: Quality of trade and transport related infrastructure, International Transportation: Capability of arranging competitively priced shipments, Logistics Competence: Competence and quality of Logistics Services, Tracking and Tracing: ability to track and trace your consignments, Timeliness: Carrying out the transports at scheduled time. In this research, moderating effect of Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) on each dimensions of LPI was measured. The moderating effect was measured by means of hierarchical regression method. As a result of the analysis, the moderating effects on three of the six dimensions have been found as statistically significant. These dimensions are International Transportation: Capability of arranging competitively priced shipments, Tracking and Tracing: ability to track and trace your consignments and Timeliness: Carrying out the transports at scheduled time. Due to not being any research based on the dimensions of two indexes (LPI and GCI) before, this research can be considered as a breakthrough in literature. The most important contribution of this research is that it allows evaluating logistics performance over the top as to increase the size of a country's global competitiveness index. In other words, according to the result of this research, if a country targets to the top level in GCI index, it needs to make important improvements in the following dimensions of logistics services: International Transportation, Tracking and Tracing and Timeliness.

Special Economic Zones in Africa

Author : Thomas Farole
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 0821386395
Total Pages : 328 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (213 download)

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Book Synopsis Special Economic Zones in Africa by : Thomas Farole

Download or read book Special Economic Zones in Africa written by Thomas Farole and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2011-01-01 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This book, designed for policymakers, academics and researchers, and SEZ program practitioners, provides the first systematic and comprehensive analysis of SEZ programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the result of detailed surveys and case studies conducted during 2009 in ten developing countries, including six in Sub-Saharan Africa. The book provides quantitative evidence of the performance of SEZs, and of the factors which contribute to that performance, highlighting the critical importance not just of the SEZ itself but of the wider national investment climate in which it functions. It also provides a comprehensive guide to the key policy questions that confront governments establishing SEZ programs, including: if and when to launch an SEZ program, what form of SEZ is most appropriate, and how to go about implementing it. Among the most important findings from the study that is stressed in the book is the shift from traditional enclave models of zones to SEZs that are integrated ? with national trade and industrial strategies, with core trade and social infrastructure, with domestic suppliers, and with local labor markets.Although the book focuses primarily on the experience of Sub-Saharan Africa, its lessons will be applicable to developing countries around the world."

The Cost of Being Landlocked

Author : Jean-Fran ois Arvis
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 0821384090
Total Pages : 124 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (213 download)

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Book Synopsis The Cost of Being Landlocked by : Jean-Fran ois Arvis

Download or read book The Cost of Being Landlocked written by Jean-Fran ois Arvis and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2010-07-07 with total page 124 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'The Cost of Being Landlocked' proposes a new analytical framework to interpret and model the constraints faced by logistics chains on international trade corridors. The plight of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) has naturally received special attention for decades, leading to a specific set of development priorities based upon the concept of dependence on the transit state. Therefore, the standard approach used to tackle the cost of being landlocked has been predominantly aimed at developing regional transport infrastructure and ensuring freedom of transit through regional conventions. But without sufficient attention given to the performance of logistics service delivery to traders, the standard approach is unable to address key bottleneck concerns and the factors that contribute to the cost of being landlocked. Consequently, the impact of massive investment on trade corridors could not materialize to its full extent. Based on extensive data collection in several regions of the world, this book argues that although landlocked developing countries do face high logistics costs, these costs are not a result of poor road infrastructure, since transport prices largely depend on trucking market structure and implementation of transit processes. This book suggests that high logistics costs in LLDCs are a result of low logistics reliability and predictability, which stem from rent-seeking and governance issues. 'The Cost of Being Landlocked' will serve as a useful guide for policy makers, supervisory authorities, and development agencies.

Deepening Economic Cooperation between India and Sri Lanka

Author : Indra Nath Mukherji
Publisher : Asian Development Bank
ISBN 13 : 9292541706
Total Pages : 244 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (925 download)

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Book Synopsis Deepening Economic Cooperation between India and Sri Lanka by : Indra Nath Mukherji

Download or read book Deepening Economic Cooperation between India and Sri Lanka written by Indra Nath Mukherji and published by Asian Development Bank. This book was released on 2013-09-01 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book analyzes the performance and impact of the India–Sri Lanka free trade agreement over the past decade and suggests the way forward. India became an important source of imports for Sri Lanka immediately after the implementation of the free trade agreement. Bilateral trade between the countries increased steadily thereafter, with Sri Lankan commodities finding a large market in India. The composition of trade also changed with an increased number of new goods being traded. The book computes indices and suggests scope for deepening economic cooperation between the two countries by pruning the negative lists for trade in goods, identifying potential investment, and suggesting policies for expanding cooperation in services.

The Global Enabling Trade Report 2008

Author :
Publisher : World Economic Forum
ISBN 13 : 9295044061
Total Pages : 437 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (95 download)

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Book Synopsis The Global Enabling Trade Report 2008 by :

Download or read book The Global Enabling Trade Report 2008 written by and published by World Economic Forum. This book was released on 2008 with total page 437 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Strengthening Competitiveness In Bangladesh—Thematic Assessment

Author : Sanjay Kathuria
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 1464808996
Total Pages : 353 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (648 download)

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Book Synopsis Strengthening Competitiveness In Bangladesh—Thematic Assessment by : Sanjay Kathuria

Download or read book Strengthening Competitiveness In Bangladesh—Thematic Assessment written by Sanjay Kathuria and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2016-07-25 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is volume 2 of a three-volume publication on Bangladesh’s trade prospects. Bangladesh’s ambition is to build on its very solid growth and poverty reduction achievements, and accelerate growth to become a middle income country by 2021, and share prosperity more widely amongst its citizens. This includes one of its greatest development challenges: to provide gainful employment to the over 2 million people that will join the labor force each year over the next decade. Moreover, only 54.1 million of its 94 million working age people are employed. Bangladesh needs to use its labor endowment even more intensively to increase growth and, in turn, to absorb the incoming labor. The Diagnostic Trade Integration Study identifies the following actions centered around four pillars to sustain and accelerate export growth: (1) breaking into new markets through a) better trade logistics to reduce delivery lags ; as world markets become more competitive and newer products demand shorter lead times, to generate new sources of competitiveness and thereby enable market diversification; and b) better exploitation of regional trading opportunities in nearby growing and dynamic markets, especially East and South Asia; (2) breaking into new products through a) more neutral and rational trade policy and taxation and bonded warehouse schemes; b) concerted efforts to spur domestic investment and attract foreign direct investment, to contribute to export promotion and diversification, including by easing the energy and land constraints; and c) strategic development and promotion of services trade; (3) improving worker and consumer welfare by a) improving skills and literacy; b) implementing labor and work safety guidelines; and c) making safety nets more effective in dealing with trade shocks; and (4) building a supportive environment, including a) sustaining sound macroeconomic fundamentals; and b) strengthening the institutional capacity for strategic policy making aimed at the objective of international competitiveness to help bring focus and coherence to the government’s reform efforts. This second volume provides in-depth analysis across seven cross-cutting themes that underpin most of the findings of pillars 1 and 2 above.