Document Abstract
Published:
2011
Issues and prospects of free trade agreements for Bangladesh: theory and experience
Free Trade Agreements and regional cooperation: Bangladesh
This paper explores Bangladesh’s development opportunities through regional cooperation, particularly through the establishment of a Free Trade Area (FTA). In this context, it discusses both bilateral and multilateral engagements and the possible benefits and costs that could emanate from these agreements.
Regional cooperation has been analysed here from different perspectives and dimensions. The theory of regional cooperation with special emphasis on FTA with its major benefits and costs is also given a place in the discussion. The study also evaluates prospects of South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement (SAPTA) and South Asian FreeTrade Area(SAFTA) along with the bilateral talks of Bangladesh on FTA and some experience of cooperation across the globe.
The article suggests that a FTA with India might be able to help bridge the gap in the commercial relations between Bangladesh and India. The paper cautions that FTAs may lead to losses of some industries while reaping gains for others. But countries like Bangladesh with a comparatively cheap labour force can attract capital-intensive upstream firms and the sectors like composite textiles may offset the potential loss in this respect.
Regional cooperation has been analysed here from different perspectives and dimensions. The theory of regional cooperation with special emphasis on FTA with its major benefits and costs is also given a place in the discussion. The study also evaluates prospects of South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement (SAPTA) and South Asian FreeTrade Area(SAFTA) along with the bilateral talks of Bangladesh on FTA and some experience of cooperation across the globe.
The article suggests that a FTA with India might be able to help bridge the gap in the commercial relations between Bangladesh and India. The paper cautions that FTAs may lead to losses of some industries while reaping gains for others. But countries like Bangladesh with a comparatively cheap labour force can attract capital-intensive upstream firms and the sectors like composite textiles may offset the potential loss in this respect.
