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A Primer on the MFA Maze

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  • de Melo, Jaime
  • Faini, Riccardo

Abstract

The paper identifies the potential sources of allocative inefficiency generated by the Multi-Fiber Agreements (MFA) and examines the evidence for such inefficiencies. Five sources of inefficiency are identified relating to inefficient allocations across countries, across consumers, and among firms within constrained countries. Evidence is first provided from trends in import shares for aggregate categories of textiles and clothing before and during the MFA. Second, evidence is provided from a detailed examination of quota utilization rates and price differentials among EC importing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • de Melo, Jaime & Faini, Riccardo, 1992. "A Primer on the MFA Maze," CEPR Discussion Papers 716, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:716
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Erzan, Refik & Goto, Junichi & Holmes, Paula, 1989. "Effects of the multifibre arrangement on developing countries'trade : an empirical investigation," Policy Research Working Paper Series 297, The World Bank.
    2. Krishna, Kala & Erzan, Refik & Tan, Ling Hui, 1994. "Rent Sharing in the Multi-fibre Arrangement: Theory and Evidence from U.S. Apparel Imports from Hong Kong," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 2(1), pages 62-73, February.
    3. Faini, Riccardo & Heimler, Alberto, 1991. "The Quality of Production of Textiles and Clothing and the Completion of the Internal Market," CEPR Discussion Papers 508, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    4. Trela, Irene & Whalley, John, 1990. "Global Effects of Developed Country Trade Restrictions on Textiles and Apparel," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 100(403), pages 1190-1205, December.
    5. Bark, Taeho & de Melo, Jaime, 1988. "Export Quota Allocations, Export Earnings, and Market Diversification," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 2(3), pages 341-348, September.
    6. Faini, Riccardo & de Melo, Jaime & Takacs, Wendy, 1992. "The effects of EC-92 on the multi-fibre arrangement," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(2-3), pages 527-538, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Muhammad Sofjan, 2017. "The Effect of Liberalization on Export-import in Indonesia," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 7(2), pages 672-676.
    2. Afia Malik, 2000. "Demand for Textile and Clothing Exports of Pakistan," PIDE Research Report 2000:4, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
    3. Kala Krishna & Ling Hui Tan, "undated". "Transferable Licenses vs. Nontransferable Licences: What is the Difference?," EPRU Working Paper Series 96-02, Economic Policy Research Unit (EPRU), University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics.
    4. Cunha, Luis Campos e & Santos, Vasco, 1996. "Sleeping quotas, pre-emptive quota bidding and monopoly power," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(1-2), pages 127-148, February.
    5. Janda, Karel, 2009. "Signaling the Strength of a Market Entrant," MPRA Paper 17007, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Ilse Scheerlinck & Luc Hens & Rosette S’Jegers, 1996. "Free trade or protection? belgian textile and clothing firms’ trade preferences," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 132(4), pages 723-739, December.
    7. Shumei Gao & Jihe Song, 2004. "Quota Use under VERs: A theoretical framework and some evidence on MFA quota use," Working Papers E03, Department of Economics, School of Management and Languages, Heriot Watt University.
    8. Krishna, Kala & Ling Hui Tan, 1992. "Rent-sharing in the multi-fibre arrangement : evidence from U.S. - Hong Kong trade in apparel," Policy Research Working Paper Series 1003, The World Bank.
    9. Spinanger, Dean, 1994. "Profiting from protection in an open economy: Hong Kong's supply response to EU's MFA restrictions," Kiel Working Papers 653, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Allocative Efficiency; Multi-Fiber Agreements; Quotas;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations

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