Trade policy and regionalism in the Central African Republic

This paper reviews the trade policy situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and identifies a number of key issues and challenges for the country. The focus of the study is thereby on how trade taxes and quantitative restrictions affect the goods sector. The analysis falls into three parts. First, the state of domestic trade policy is described, with particular emphasis on the structure and economic effects of border policies. Then, CAR’s regional integration efforts are examined, including a preliminary assessment of the impacts of the formation of the CEMAC customs union. And finally, some priorities for the attention of policy makers and international donors are identified based on the preceding analysis.