International Merchandise Trade Research Articles

ENERGY (IN)DEPENDENCE AND NATIONAL SPECIALIZATION AS A FACTOR OF GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS

The article presents preliminary results of a comprehensive interrelation study of the global competitiveness of the world economy actors with their energy systems and specialization. The article structure is logically split into three parts. The first one presents an attempt of evaluating energy dependence of the largest nations and its dynamics. The author proposes hypotheses regarding origins of different national roles on the world energy market and prospects of their development. The second part is dedicated to researching the nature of economic growth in the first quarter of XXI century and its interconnection with industrial development and specialization on particular goods, including fuel products and energy-intensive manufactures. In the third part the article explores international merchandise trade landscape by merchandise chapters (HS2) and in particular cases by headings (HS4). Finally, the author makes a conclusion and offers prognostic points in terms of the most significant merchandise items as well as in terms of world economy actors.

Competitiveness of international merchandise trade: The case of Poland

The aim of the article is to present the possibilities that qualitative classifications of industries and goods introduce to the analysis of structural changes in the economy, as well as to assess changes in the international competitiveness of Polish merchandise trade in the long term. The article presents a review of the literature and the results of authors’ own research on the structure of Polish merchandise trade. The study uses Lall’s classification of goods which is relatively innovative and rarely used in the existing literature. By using this classification and the analysis of revealed comparative advantages (RCA) we also managed to assess the competitiveness of Polish exports. The research shows that since Poland’s accession to the European Union, the international competitiveness of Polish trade in terms of its technological level has changed only slightly. After the growth in the first years of Poland’s EU membership, the share of high technology products in the export structure stagnated in the 2010s and was still lower than that of medium or low technology products. Throughout the researched period, the RCA for high-tech products remained on the “foreign” side.

Мирохозяйственная динамика и международная торговля: новые тренды

The article deals with the most topical aspects of the latest world economic dynamics and the evolution of international exchange. During the end of the second and beginning of the third decade of the 21st century, extraordinary shifts were identified in the system of the world economy, the trigger of which was the large-scale spread of a new viral infection, which caused significant crisis upheavals in 2020. But even then the attempts to confront it, which were prolonged in many cases, along with the activation of protectionist sentiments and actions of some leading countries participating in international trade, the manifestation of other aggravating factors all together did not allow to achieve greater stability in the world economic evolution in 2021. The post-crisis rebound was not very impressive. Later on, the significant (according to experts) shifts in the development of the processes in question were associated with Russia's conducting of a special military operation from February 2022. Based on the latest official, materials, including statistical ones the estimated and forecast data are analyzed that characterize the most significant trends in the dynamics of the production of the global gross product and international merchandise trade in the past (2022) and expected in the coming (2023) year. The undertaken analysis is traditionally based on the generally accepted methodology of comparative statistical research.

Defending the Nation and Searching for Wealth: Merchants and Privateers of Chile, 1817-1820

Permanent warfare marked the Independence process in Hispanic America, and was evident on the high seas between the newly formed States and forces loyal to the Spanish Crown. Faced with persistent maritime threats, some independent governments encouraged privateering to help the newly formed national navies secure the seas and harass the enemy. This also helped make international merchandise trade safer, which was vital for the good progress of internal markets and the public treasuries: in short, for the “national” economy. Privateering brought about new and unique business opportunities for many traders established in Chile to intervene in and boost merchandise trade, and, by its very nature, encouraged diversification. Moreover, it involved traditional inter-regional or terrestrial trade and “peaceful” shipping activities, as well as, in some cases, contracts with the State. Corsairs were able to obtain unexpected revenues by attacking their “Spanish” competitors trading with the Peninsula. Using documents from the Chilean Ministry of the Navy, case-studies will show how this type of business developed in the years of its apogee and its implications on the consolidation of Independence and the subsequent construction of the Republican State.

Statistical Analysis of International Merchandise Trade Between Latvia and Ukraine Using International Databases

Abstract The article considers the dynamics of international merchandise trade of Latvia and Ukraine (volumes of export and import of goods) in 2005–2020 with the use of UN Comtrade Database. The volumes of export and import of Latvia’s main international trading partners are given, the shares of partner countries in trade flows in 2021 are calculated. It is determined that Lithuania occupies a leading position among Latvia’s partner countries in export and import of goods. Data on international trade between Latvia and Ukraine, namely export and import of goods in 1994–2021, are presented. It is determined that international trade between Latvia and Ukraine has a steady development trend. The main goods exported from Latvia to Ukraine in 2021 are presented, their shares in the total volume of relevant international trade flows are calculated. The main goods imported to Latvia from Ukraine in 2021 are determined, their share in the total volume of import is calculated. Services are not included in any of the statistics presented here.

International merchandise trade by country

International merchandise trade by country

International merchandise trade by country

International merchandise trade by country

International merchandise trade by country

International merchandise trade by country

International merchandise trade by country

International merchandise trade by country

Resilience of Bruneian economy amidst Covid-19 based on the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) framework

The outbreak of Covid-19 is the second most devastating event over a century. The pandemic, alongside deep health crises, has ushered the largest economic shocks, which require governments’ attention to ameliorate to avoid an economic downturn. The aim of this study is to measure the economic impacts of Covid-19 in Brunei by estimating the exposure, vulnerability, and resilience of the economy. This study deployed the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction framework to examine the economic impact empirically. The data related to variables of gross domestic product, oil prices, international merchandise trade, tourism, unemployment, consumer price index, money supply, and national accounts were collected from September 2019 to July 2020 and analyzed through the fixed effects panel regression technique. The findings show that the news of the Covid-19 outbreak has exposed the weaknesses in energy sectors by having a significant negative impact. Additionally, analysis discloses that the energy and tourism sectors are vulnerable to the shocks of Covid-19. During the peak of the pandemic outbreak, unemployment in Brunei has also escalated. Additionally, the energy and tourism sectors are less resilient to pandemic shocks. The findings indicated that the consumer price index has significantly escalated during the economic recovery process. The findings elucidate that the overall GDP growth rate, international merchandise trade, and the financial sector continue exhibiting better performance amid Covid-19. The findings of this study contribute to developing policy implications for the emerging economies concerned with the economic recovery process during the pandemic.

PORT DEVELOPMENT: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PORT TRAFFIC OF GUJARAT AND ITS HINTERLAND

The ports are nodal points that link the open economy with the global world and consequently port development and economic development are closely related. With the developments in multimodal transport and port operations, the benefit of ports percolates even in non coastal areas in far hinterland. In 1990’s, India initiated economic reforms emphasizing on international trade and since then, its international trade has increased remarkably and almost 90% of India’s international merchandise trade is handled by ports. In line with the initiatives of port development in India, Gujarat state has announced a separate port policy for port development as it has vast hinterland of developing northern states of India generating large volume of cargo for ports of Gujarat. This paper attempts to analyse the cargo traffic at ports of Gujarat in relation to the output (GSDP) of selected 8 states of India in its hinterland. Bi-variate Log Log Regression Model is applied to determine the relationship between GSDP of 8 hinterland states and the volume of cargo traffic handled by ports in Gujarat using the GSDP and Port Traffic data from 2011-2019. It is observed that increase in output in the hinterland states leads to significant increase in cargo traffic at ports of Gujarat depicting that 1 % increase in GSDP of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh lead to on an average 0.39 % to 0.55 % of increase in cargo traffic at ports of Gujarat which implies that cargo traffic at ports of Gujarat is highly affected by output in its hinterland states in addition to the output of Gujarat..

Applying ‘Mirror Statistics’ in Cross-Border Trade Administration: Case of General Department of Vietnam Customs

International merchandise trade statistics plays a substantial role in governing crossborder trade in goods at both global and national levels. In relation to one flow of goods crossing borders, there are two trade data compilations—in the exporting and importing countries—which are to be made in compliance with various regulations and standards. This paper analyses Vietnam’s mirror statistics, focusing on the significant disparities of cross-border trade statistics in 2013–2016 between Vietnam—the reporting country—and its trade partners. The paper investigates the major reasons for the large discrepancies between Vietnam and its partners in cross-border trade documentation and suggest an operational model of mirror statistics to support crossborder trade administration by Vietnam Customs in future years. Cross-border statistics were collected from the General Department of Vietnam Customs and from the United Nations (UN) Comtrade database.

Changing role of middle income economies in contemporary international trade: comparative analysis

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to analyze selected international trade indicators, and then to verify, if assumption of growing importance of middle income economies (according to the World Bank classification) can be justified. Research Design & Methods: Article consists of two main parts. In the former some shifts in international merchandise trade in 1995-2018 have been analyzed. In the latter the assessment of selected trade indicators has been included, with particular regard to those, which could be utilized as a basis for verification of growing importance of middle income countries in international trade. Findings: Between 1995 and 2018 there was a noticeable improvement of middle income countries’ share in global merchandise trade, and their competitive advantage improved dramatically. As confirmed by RCA index analysis, middle income economies improved significantly in all manufactures, and was particularly high in labour-intensive and resource-intensive manufactures, as well as in low-skill and technology-intensive manufactures. Contribution & Value Added: Analyses concerning economy groupings are still relatively rare, especially in Polish economic literature. Therefore the presented research can be perceived as a quite fresh approach in this field. Finally, usage of wide collection of trade indicators for verification of middle income economies’ international significance should also be treated as a strength of presented paper.

Аналитический обзор основных факторов, влияющих на рост асимметрии показателей экспорта и импорта стран Юго-Восточной Азии

This paper aims to introduce an analytical review of major factors contributing to the increase in the number of discrepancies in export and import statistics. By providing empirical evidence with a specific focus on Southeast Asia, the study demonstrates that a particular factor’s influence isn’t equal even for countries of the same region and that it can change over time. Systematization of the survey results is presented as a typology of major causes that lead to asymmetries in international merchandise trade statistics.

Validation Data of Mexico's Trade Balance

The collection, compilation and dissemination of international merchandise trade statistics must follow standards for international comparability. These processes are structured according to particular institutional arrangements in countries. The general responsibility and dissemination of the Merchandise Trade Balance in Mexico are Tax Administration Service, Ministry of the Economy, Banco de México and the National Institute of Statistics and Geography. At most points of entry, goods are brought into or withdrawn from the customs territory of a country under various customs procedures. The objective of this paper is to establish a method of validation of imports and exports considering the volumes by tariff fraction and unit of measure, as well as the incoterms, to generate a specific registry that allows obtaining more reliable information and serves to make decisions of the actors involved in foreign trade. This information will be used to analyze the evolution and structure of the Commercial Balance of Mexico, as well as to evaluate the interaction that is registered between the commercial activity and the behavior of the national economy, that is why the analysis of the information it generates the commercial balance of Mexico, since this is basic for the decision making of those in charge of public policies in commercial and financial matters.

Международная торговля в 2017 г.: снова рост, но перспективы не обнадеживают

The article analyzes the most important changes in the dynamics and geographical structure of international merchandise trade during 2010–2017. After the global financial and economic crisis, the world exchange system noted the emergence and growth of negative trends, which caused a decline in its value volumes. However, 2017 demonstrated a new trend, formed on the base of positive price dynamics in world commodity markets. After a three-year period of stagnation, and then a significant drop in the value of international commodity exchange, in 2017, its basic parameters showed up. At the same time, the Russian Federation was among the beneficiaries, despite the introduction and subsequent expansion of economic sanctions against it by western countries. The article uses current official statistical and computational data, introduced for the first time into domestic scientific circulation. This study was conducted on the base of the application of methods of comparative analysis.

Mirror Study of Vietnam's International Merchandise Trade: Findings and Implications on Cross-Border Trade Administration

This paper applies a variety of “mirror statistics” initiatives, practices and experiences of many internationals organizations like United Nations, World Trade Organization, World Customs Organization, and national customs administrations in the world as well as cross-border trade-related findings from mirror analyses of Vietnam in 2010-2016. This paper is intended to answer three main questions: (1) what are the substantial reasons of discrepancies in cross-border trade data from mirror analyses of Vietnam in 2010-2016? (2) How to harmonize and standardize “mirror statistics” in cross-border trade administration of Vietnam? And (3) How to produce an effective model of “mirror statistics” analysis for cross-border trade administration of Vietnam in future?

Геоинформaционное моделировaние междунaродных укрaинско-кaзaхских связей

The article deals with the mapping international flows of materials, energy and information methods using GIS technology. The aims and objectives of the geoinformation modeling of international bilateral relations are determined. The experience of international relations geographical studies and their mapping has made. We consider the themes and structure of the cards of international relations between Ukraine and Kazakhstan: political relations, economic relations, migration links, cultural ties between the two countries. In the article we identify main topics of cartographic studies and key map indicators. Also we defined territorial levels of mapping. Global level requires research on connection between countries and international unions and groups of countries. Regional level of research is aimed on connections between regions of the country with the enterprises of another country. And local level contains links between individual enterprises. The main features and consumers of maps are proposed. The map of international merchandise trade between Ukraine and Kazakhstan is developed. The methods of mapping are proposed. The key features of map databases creation and geoinformation mapping functions are described.

Implementation of International Standards in Russia's Foreign Trade Statistics

The article analyzes the basic documents of international organizations in recent years, which have become the global standard for the development and improvement of statistics of foreign economic relations of most countries, including the Russian Federation. The article describes the key features of the theory and practice of modern foreign trade statistics in Russia and abroad, with an emphasis on the methodological problems of its main parts - the external trade statistics. It shows their interpretation in the most recent recommendations by UN statistical apparatus and other international organizations; considers a range of problems associated with the implementation of the national statistical practices of countries, including Russia and the countries of the Customs Union, the main international standard of foreign trade statistics - UN document "International Merchandise Trade Statistics". The main attention is paid to methodological issues such as: the criteria for selecting the objects of statistical accounting in accordance with international standards, quantitative and cost parameters of foreign trade statistics, statistical methods and estimates of commodity exports and imports, the problems of comparability of data; to a comparison of international standards in 2010 with documents on key precursor methodology of foreign trade statistics, characterized by the practice of introducing these standards in the foreign trade statistics of Russia and the countries of the Customs Union. The article analyzes the content given in the official statistical manuals of Russia foreign trade and foreign countries, covers the main methodological problems of World Trade in conjunction with the major current international statistical standards - System of National Accounts, Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services and other documents; provides specific data describing the current structure of Russian foreign trade and especially its position in international trade in goods and services.

The Role of Air Transport in Handling the Polish Foreign Trade Contra Worldwide Trends

Apart from maritime transport, air transport is the main transport branch suppor­ting the international merchandise trade, especially on the long-range distance. Air cargo represents 0,25% to 1% of the weight of all international cargo. At the same time, air freight transport is responsible for approximately 13% to 35% of the total value of global trade and its share is rising. Compared to the alternative modes of transport, this transport branch has a margi­nal importance in handling the Polish foreign trade. In terms of weight, air transport is responsible for less than O, 1 % of the total volume of the Polish foreign trade in exports and imports (according to the data for 2013). As regards value, its share is increasing to nearly 4 %. However, over the past few years there has been a noticeably steady growth in the international air cargo from/to Poland. This article aims at determining the importance and identifying the development barriers of air transport in handling the Polish foreign trade.