Trade liberalization, roads and firm productivity

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Fiorini, Matteo; Sanfilippo, Marco; Sundaram, Asha
• 署名单位: European University Institute; University of Turin; Collegio Carlo Alberto; European University Institute; University of Antwerp; University of Auckland
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2021.102712
• 发表日期: 2021
• 关键词: Input tariffs; Transport infrastructure; roads; FIRMS; PRODUCTIVITY; ethiopia

摘要

We examine the role of road infrastructure in determining the impact of a reduction in input tariffs on firm productivity. We combine new geo-spatial data on road improvements in Ethiopia with establishment level data on manufacturing firms that allow us to estimate physical productivity. Results show that an input tariff reduction is associated with a larger increase in firm productivity in areas where better roads improve access to other intranational markets. Roads magnify pass-through of tariff reductions to imported input prices and also incentivize firms to exploit this cost advantage to enhance productivity. Road infrastructure hence complements trade liberalization.