tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post1292619783277602428..comments2023-10-30T17:20:13.794+01:00Comments on Balasticman: Trade, Not AidBalasticmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-89443715637771527812011-03-20T19:58:52.392+01:002011-03-20T19:58:52.392+01:00Thanks for the comment. The Association Agreement...Thanks for the comment. The Association Agreement is important, but still imposes significant restrictions on Egyptian exports (especially food exports -- the quantities of which are small precisely because of the Common Agricultural Policy linked restrictions, but also non-food exports coming from Egypt). The debate on free trade versus protection domestic industry is one that is well studied and documented, and this blog is a strong believer in free trade's multiplier effects on both a domestic and the world economy. Moreover, Egypt's market already is integrated with global investment, so notions of foreign "conquests" are a little out of place. Egypt's economic policy does not need to be export-based or biased given the size of its domestic market, but market access remains a key driver of its growth.Balasticmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14570854720239217120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7528222363701738871.post-15439926910444401302011-03-20T00:13:09.019+01:002011-03-20T00:13:09.019+01:00Balasticman,
nice informed post. I hope you keep...Balasticman, <br /><br />nice informed post. I hope you keep running this blog and not abandon it soon. <br /><br />Regarding free trade, you should check out the Association Agreement, which is Egypt's free trade agreement with the EU. It is gradually being implemented. Just don't overestimate the benefits of free trade. Encouraging and developing the Egyptian domestic market should be more of a concern than encouraging foreign trade. There is little point on reducing customs on trade regarding food and produce when your trade balance is as negative as it currently is, especially when all food you export is the little quantities of fruits and organic vegetables exported. <br /><br />One shouldn't just open up the Egyptian market for foreign exports to conquer. Just check the scores of imported milk currently conquering egypt, at below Egyptian milk prices.Dadyfoolhttp://dadyfool.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com