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Do regional trade agreements really help global value chains develop? evidence from Thailand

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  • Hayakawa, Kazunobu
  • Laksanapanyakul, Nuttawut
  • Matsuura, Toshiyuki

Abstract

This paper examines the firm-level nexus between exporting and importing by using firm-level data from Thai customs. We differentiate firms’ imports according to the tariff regime used (e.g. regional trade agreements (RTAs)). Our finding is that imports under RTA regimes are not considerably associated with exports. Rather, greater exports are found in firms with larger imports under the most favoured nation or other preference regimes (e.g. duty drawback for raw materials imported to produce export products). One reason for the result in RTA imports is that active RTA importers mainly target the domestic market rather than the export market. If the main market is abroad, firms tend to use other preference regimes. Thus, the other preference regimes may contribute more greatly to the development of firm-level back-and-forth international transactions than RTAs do.

Suggested Citation

  • Hayakawa, Kazunobu & Laksanapanyakul, Nuttawut & Matsuura, Toshiyuki, 2020. "Do regional trade agreements really help global value chains develop? evidence from Thailand," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jjieco:v:58:y:2020:i:c:s0889158320300290
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jjie.2020.101092
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    Cited by:

    1. Kuo‐I Chang & Kazunobu Hayakawa & Nuttawut Laksanapanyakul & Dionisius Narjoko & Ju Hyun Pyun & Francis Quimba, 2022. "Determinants of regional trade agreement utilisation: Evidence from multiple import countries in Asia," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(6), pages 1713-1736, June.
    2. Ahn, JaeBin & Choi, Moon Jung, 2020. "From firm-level imports to aggregate productivity: Evidence from Korean manufacturing firm data," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    3. Essotanam Mamba & Afi Balaki, 2023. "Deep regional trade agreement as a driver for global value chains in Africa: the case of ECOWAS region," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 2037-2068, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Export–import nexus; Thailand; Regional trade agreement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations

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