ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL6.GCP/2023/TP.3
Country: Arab region
Publication Type: Information material
Cluster: Governance and Conflict Prevention
Focus Area: Natural resource sustainability, Trade & regional connectivity
Initiatives: Trade & industry statistics, Enhancing resilience and sustainability of agriculture
SDGs: Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption
Keywords: Arab countries, Arab studies, Covid-19, Trade, Agriculture, Indexing, Economic conditions, Economic analysis, Decent work, Exports, Imports, Conflict, Economic development, Statistical data, Resilience
Vulnerability of Arab economies from concentrated trade and agriculture
April 2023
The present paper proposes a trade and agriculture vulnerability index (TAVI). By measuring risks from export concentration and over-dependence on agriculture or services sectors, TAVI provides a useful indicator that is accessible to policymakers. The results of the index show significant overall structural weaknesses for Arab countries in endogenous growth capabilities and vulnerabilities to external shocks. However, Arab countries are not a homogenous economic group in terms of their exposure to trade and agriculture concentration risks. Oil-rich economies incur significant score and rank losses on TAVI relative to GNI, the highest worldwide in fact. However, a second group of countries show rank improvements, and Tunisia is among the global top five winners.
Related content
Natural resource sustainability
, Trade & regional connectivity
,
The present paper proposes a trade and agriculture vulnerability index (TAVI). By measuring risks from export concentration and over-dependence on agriculture or services sectors, TAVI provides a useful indicator that is accessible to policymakers. The results of the index show significant overall structural weaknesses for Arab countries in endogenous growth capabilities and vulnerabilities to external shocks. However, Arab countries are not a homogenous economic group in terms of their exposure to trade and agriculture concentration risks. Oil-rich economies incur significant score and rank losses on TAVI relative to GNI, the highest worldwide in fact. However, a second group of countries show rank improvements, and Tunisia is among the global top five winners.
