Anti-Export Bias in the Export-Oriented Economy of Sri Lanka

Language Notes
Text: English
Introduction: Tamil


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Following the post 1977 policy reforms, the Sri Lankan trade regime has been described as 'export-oriented'. However, this study reveals that, despite the rhetoric, the manufacturing sector in Sri Lanka is far from being export-oriented and that the export sector is effectively 'disprotected'. The frequent trade liberalization attempts appear to have been based on either 'exaggerated' or 'biased' policy recommendations, and have not eliminated anti-export bias in the manufacturing sector. From both theoretical and empirical perspectives, this study presents an important policy issue for those developing countries attempting to establish export-oriented trade regimes. Although these countries are quite enthusiastic about measuring the protective effects of their trade intervention policies, they seem to have paid little attention to evaluate the anti-export bias resulting from the same protective effects. The study argues for a fair level of 'neutral protection' between import substitution and export promotion which eliminates policy discrimination against potential tradables.


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