Weathering the storm
Subtitle: investing in port infrastructure to lower trade costs in East Asia
By: Kazutomo Abe, John S. Wilson.
Contributors: Wilson, John S.; World Bank.
Series: Policy research working paper -- 4911; Policy research working papers (Online) -- 4911.
Publisher: World Bank
Published: 2009
Place of publication: [Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Subjects: Harbors -- Africa
Description: "The world economic crisis of 2008 presents clear challenges to prospects for economic growth in developing countries.  This is particularly true for emerging economies in East Asia that have relied to a great extent over the past decade on export-led growth.  What steps to facilitate trade promise a relatively strong return on investment for East Asia to help sustain trade and growth? The authors examine how port infrastructure affects trade and the role of transport costs in driving exports and imports for the region.  They find that port congestion has significantly increased the transport costs to East Asia from both of the United States and Japan.  The analysis suggests that cutting port congestion by 10 percent could cut transport costs in East Asia by up to 3 percent.  This translates into a 0.3 to 0.5 percent across-the-board tariff cut.  In addition, the estimates suggest that the trade cost reduction of investment in port infrastructure in East Asia that translates into higher consumer welfare would far outweigh the cost for physical expansion of the ports in the region. "--World Bank web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 5/7/2009.

Includes bibliographical references.

Also available in print.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.