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Tariffs and Firm Performance in Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Arne Bigsten
  • Mulu Gebreeyesus
  • Måns Söderbom

Abstract

We use data on Ethiopian manufacturing firms and commodity-level data on tariffs to examine the effects of trade liberalisation on firm performance. We distinguish the productivity gains that arise from reducing final goods tariffs from those that arise from reducing tariffs on intermediate inputs. We find no evidence that output tariff reduction improves productivity, but we find large positive effects of input tariff reductions. These are robust to alternative productivity measures, treating tariffs as endogenous, and various generalisations of the model. We conclude that policy measures designed to facilitate access to inputs produced abroad may lead to productivity gains.

Suggested Citation

  • Arne Bigsten & Mulu Gebreeyesus & Måns Söderbom, 2016. "Tariffs and Firm Performance in Ethiopia," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(7), pages 986-1001, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:52:y:2016:i:7:p:986-1001
    DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2016.1139691
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Christian Darko & Giovanni Occhiali & Enrico Vanino, 2021. "The Chinese are Here: Import Penetration and Firm Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(12), pages 2112-2135, December.
    2. Jean-François Brun & Sèna Kimm Gnangnon, 2019. "Tax reform, public revenue and public revenue instability in developing countries: Does development aid matter?," Working Papers halshs-02089734, HAL.
    3. Moges Tufa & Mans Söderbom & Zerayehu Sime, 2023. "The Impact of Sector-Specific Industrial Policy on Manufacturing Firm Performance: Quasi-experimental Evidence from Ethiopian Chemical Industries," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 363-397, December.
    4. Giorgia Giovannetti & Enrico Marvasi & Arianna Vivoli, 2020. "The asymmetric effects of twenty years of tariff reforms on Egyptian workers," Working Papers LuissLab 20156, Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza, LUISS Guido Carli.
    5. Hoedoafia, Mabel Akosua, 2020. "On the Link between Trade Liberalization and Firm Productivity: Panel Data Evidence from Private Firms in Ghana," MPRA Paper 99568, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Marilyne Huchet†Bourdon & Chantal Le Mouël & Mariana Vijil, 2018. "The relationship between trade openness and economic growth: Some new insights on the openness measurement issue," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(1), pages 59-76, January.
    7. Jean-François Brun & Sèna Kimm Gnangnon, 2019. "Tax reform, public revenue and public revenue instability in developing countries: Does development aid matter?," CERDI Working papers halshs-02089734, HAL.
    8. Eyerusalem Siba & Måns Söderbom & Arne Bigsten & Mulu Gebreeyesus, 2020. "The relationship among enterprise clustering, prices, and productivity in Ethiopia’s manufacturing sector," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(3), pages 831-854, August.
    9. Darko, Christian K. & Occhiali, Giovanni & Vanino, Enrico, 2018. "The Chinese are Here: Firm Level Analysis of Import Competition and Performance in Sub-Saharan Africa," ETA: Economic Theory and Applications 273142, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    10. Nida Jamil & Rabia Arif, 2019. "Increasing Exports through Tariff Reductions on Intermediate Goods," Lahore Journal of Economics, Department of Economics, The Lahore School of Economics, vol. 24(1), pages 29-53, Jan-June.
    11. Giorgia Giovannetti & Enrico Marvasi & Arianna Vivoli, 2021. "The asymmetric effects of 20 years of tariff reforms on Egyptian workers," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 38(1), pages 89-130, April.
    12. Rabia Arif & Nida Jamil & Azam Chaudhry, 2023. "Strategic Trade Policy for Pakistan’s Textile Sector in 2018: Enhancing High Value-Added Exports through Low-Priced Intermediate Input (Article)," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 62(2), pages 145-166.
    13. Adugna Lemi & Ian Wright, 2020. "Exports, foreign ownership, and firm-level efficiency in Ethiopia and Kenya: an application of the stochastic frontier model," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 58(2), pages 669-698, February.
    14. Arif, Rabia & Jamil, Nida, 2018. "Proposed Methodology for Strategic Trade Policy to Achieve High Value Added Exports: A Case of Pakistan’s Textile Sector," MPRA Paper 90380, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Kanang Amos Akims & Perez Ayieko Onono & Dianah Mukwate Ngui, . "Trade Liberalization and Productivity in the Nigerian Manufacturing Sector," Journal of Economic and Sustainable Growth 3, Office Of The Chief Economist, Development Bank of Nigeria.
    16. Fiorini, Matteo & Sanfilippo, Marco & Sundaram, Asha, 2021. "Trade liberalization, roads and firm productivity," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    17. Mulu Gebreyesus & Alekaw Kebede, 2017. "Ethiopia’s export promotion and the misalignment of the tariff and exchange rate regimes," Working Papers 019, Policy Studies Institute.

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