Economic and Environmental Benefits of Eliminating Log Export Bans—The Case of Costa Rica
October 1, 2001
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Summary
An increasing number of tropical timber producing nations have enacted bans on export of logs. Proponents argue that a log export ban is a second-best policy tool for addressing environmental externalities; it also creates more jobs and improves scale efficiencies domestically. Theoretical arguments suggest that log export bans are largely incapable of achieving their objectives. However, little quantitative evidence exists. The authors maintain that eliminating log export bans in Costa Rica could generate economic gains as high as $14 million annually in addition to the environmental benefits.
Subject: Agroindustries, Economic sectors, Environment, Exports, International trade, Tariffs, Taxes, Trade barriers
Keywords: Agroindustries, cost, Costa Rica, efficiency gains, export, export ban, Exports, forestry, Global, Latin America, LEB, log export ban (LEB), log price, price rise, processing industry, result, sustainable management, Tariffs, timber export tax, trade and environment, Trade barriers, WP
Pages:
17
Volume:
2001
DOI:
Issue:
153
Series:
Working Paper No. 2001/153
Stock No:
WPIEA1532001
ISBN:
9781451857153
ISSN:
1018-5941
