Prospects and problems in the promotion of intra West African trade

Abstract

The present study on "the prospects and problems in the promotion of intra West African trade" is based on MULPOC 1994/1995 work programme set by its thirteenth meeting of the committee of experts in Nouakchott in March 1993. Given the limited number of human resources, the present study was not carried out within the initial scheduled biennial period. It has therefore been included in the 1996/1997 work programme of MULPOC since the issue on integration through the markets remains a major concern to West African States. The scheme retained for the present study is the following: the first section will deal with the analysis of the past and recent situation of the intra West African trade. The second section highlights the various difficulties at the productive, marketing, infrastructural and institutional levels which hinder the promotion of these exchanges. The third section is concerned with the prospects and opportunities for our States in the light of the globalization and liberalization of the economy.