External sector adjustment: Evidence from a 1997 survey of export businesses in Malawi

W. Banda, J. Harrigan, F. Nixson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Since 1981 Malawi has been undergoing an extensive economic adjustment programme. A key aim has been to diversify and increase exports. This aim has met with little success. To understand why export businesses have failed to respond to exchange rate changes and other incentives we conducted an export business survey of 51 firms and interviewed government officials, private sector representatives, and IMF and World Bank staff. We found that structural rigidities, particularly infrastructure constraints, are so severe that the impact of exchange rate policies and other incentives on external sector adjustment is very limited. Increased policy attention should therefore be paid to these constraints if the adjustment programme is to succeed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-64
Number of pages31
JournalJournal of African Business
Volume2
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Exchange rate policy
  • Export survey
  • Malawi export sector
  • Structural adjustment

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Global Development Institute

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