Trade liberalization, market structure and productivity in Nigeria

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Periodical article

Title:	Trade liberalization, market structure and productivity in Nigeria
Authors:	Adenikinju, Adeola F. Chete, Louis N.
Year:	1999
Periodical:	The Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies
Volume:	41
Issue:	3
Pages:	385-403
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	productivity trade policy
Abstract:	The sharply contrasting growth performance between the East African economies that followed the relatively neutral export oriented trade policy, and the Latin American countries that opted for import substitution policies has provoked considerable academic interest about the role of trade liberalization in the growth process. This paper explores quantitative relationships between trade liberalization, market structures, and productivity over the period of trade liberalization in Nigeria (since 1986). Overall, the authors' findings support the current trade liberalization efforts of the government. They found that this policy fosters total factor productivity in the Nigerian manufacturing sector; however, there is a need to slow down the pace of import liberalization as the import growth rate was found to have a negative impact on productivity. While this may simply be a short-term phenomenon, it could also imply that the pace of import liberalization has proceeded too fast for domestic firms. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]