Most trade-led growth strategies focus on exports. This article argues that they should not overlook imports for two main reasons. First, imports are an important determinant of export performance. Therefore, the success of an export-led growth strategy will be reduced if it only focuses on...

Trade promotes economic growth, alleviates poverty and helps countries reach their development goals. However, developing countries – in particular the least developed – face difficulties in making trade happen and turning trade into economic growth. The Aid for Trade Initiative – launched...

This policy brief shows that if a country intends to use trade as an engine for growth and development, then it should not overlook imports. The first section provides evidence that imports are an important determinant of export performance. Therefore, the success of an export-led growth...

Trade can be a powerful engine for economic growth, poverty reduction, and development. However, harnessing the power of trade is often difficult for developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, because of supply-side domestic constraints (lack of trade-related...

Developing countries' requests for financial and technical assistance acquired a high profile during the Doha Round negotiations prompting the launch of the Aid for Trade Initiative. The Initiative succeeded in mobilising a large amount of financial resources. However, because the Doha Round...

Because international trade theory has not provided an unambiguous prediction on the impact of trade on growth, a vast literature tried to identify the relationship empirically. After summarizing the influential large country case studies of the 1970s and early 1980s - which showed the folly of...