Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Surprising Export Performance : Back to the Past in a New Veil but Will It Last?
Bosnia and Herzegovina's industrial restructuring, as seen through the lenses of foreign trade performance and its sustainability, has taken off. Bosnia and Herzegovina s exports have displayed strong dynamics outstripping the pace of growth o...
Main Authors: | , |
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Language: | English |
Published: |
2012
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20100315165156 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3724 |
Summary: | Bosnia and Herzegovina's industrial
restructuring, as seen through the lenses of foreign trade
performance and its sustainability, has taken off. Bosnia
and Herzegovina s exports have displayed strong dynamics
outstripping the pace of growth of exports in almost each
year over 1997-2007 combined with the shift to higher value
added exportables. Although its performance during the
period 1996-2000 following the end of war in late 1995 was
not surprising, given relatively low foreign direct
investment inflows and weaknesses in the investment climate,
its subsequent export performance has come as a surprise.
Industrial restructuring, as revealed in the pattern of
exports, consisted in rebuilding and modernizing the
pre-independence industrial base built around wood products,
metalworking, clothing, and automotive products. Although
exports still remain relatively low in terms of both per
capita and gross domestic product in comparison with other
Balkan economies, there has been significant change in their
composition, indicating a growing presence of more processed
manufactures and the participation of local firms in global
networks of production and distribution, mostly as
independent suppliers. Firms with foreign participation have
been one of the levers of export upgrading and expansion.
The dominance of joint ventures as a mode of entry of
foreign capital is worrisome for two reasons: first,
domestic firms may not have access to the most recent
technologies and knowhow; and second, it is always
indicative of weaknesses of a domestic economic regime. This
also raises concerns about the future sustainability of
export performance. |
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