GEG WP 2012/70 Trade Remedies in Africa

Full Title: Trade Remedies in Africa: Experience, Challenges and Prospects

Author: Ousseni Illy

Type: GEG Working Paper 2012/70

Abstract

Trade policies in Africa have been studied extensively. Most of the works in this field, however, take the form of overall appraisal of such policies and their effects on the development of the  continent as a whole. The aim of the present study is slightly different. It tries to explore and assess the experiences and constraints of African countries in a specific area of trade policy, which is trade remedies (antidumping, countervailing, and safeguards), and subsequently raises the question of the eventual role of these instruments in the backing of industrial policy on the continent. It concludes that trade remedies are important for African countries although many challenges lie ahead on the way to their use by the vast majority of these countries. Some solutions such as regional investigating bodies are proposed as alternatives ways in order to make trade remedies more affordable for African countries.

Key words: Africa, anti-dumping, countervailing, industrial development, safeguards, trade policy, trade remedies, WTO.

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