Assessment of non-wood forest products trade competitiveness between Ethiopia and Asia/19 countries

Abstract

The study makes a comparative analysis of Ethiopia and Asia/19 countries in the foreign trade of non-timber forest products between the periods of 2008-2018. The study focused on two commodity groups with a harmonized system of (HS) codes; HS409: Natural honey; HS130190: Natural Gums, resins, gum Arabic, and oleoresins. To assess the competitive advantage and disadvantage of Ethiopia in non-timber forest products foreign trade within Asia/19 countries, the Revealed Comparative Advantage Index, Relative Export Advantage Index, Relative Import Advantage Index, and Relative Trade Advantage Index. At the same time, Cross Relative Export Advantage and Cross Relative Import Advantage indicators were employed to test the competitiveness of Ethiopia with Asia/19 countries in the foreign trade of non-timber forest products. The study finding shows that Ethiopia experiences a comparative advantage both in a relative export and import advantage in the trade of non-timber forest products over the study period as compared to Asia/19 countries.

Keywords

• asia
• comparative advantage
• ethiopia
• international competitiveness
• non-wood forest products trade
• asya
• karşılaştırmalı üstünlük
• etiyopya
• uluslararası rekabet
• odun dışı orman ürünleri ticareti