Impediments to exports in small transition economies: The case of Bulgaria

Dobrinsky, R. & Yaneva, I. (1997). Impediments to exports in small transition economies: The case of Bulgaria. MOCT-MOST : Economic Policy in Transitional Economies 7 (2) 33-55. DOI: 10.1023/A:1009530422495.

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Abstract

Competitive export performance and export expansion are vital for successful economic transformation in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This is particularly important for small transition economies whose domestic markets have limited capacity and are not sufficient to support domestic producers aiming at competitive advantages based on economies of scale and economies of scope. Thus, successful adjustment of Central and East European producers to the highly competitive international economic environment is crucial for economic recovery and for overcoming transitional shocks.

Bulgaria belongs to those small transition economies that experienced the most serious shocks of transition and the deepest transitional depression. Its high dependence on former Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) markets made its large producers extremely vulnerable to the loss of these markets. Thus, unlike the Central European countries that have managed to reorient considerable portions of their trade flows to new markets and have almost recovered the levels of their pre-transition export flows, Bulgaria's exports are still at about half the level they were in the late 1980s.

This indicates the existence of serious impediments to Bulgarian exports during the transition period. These barriers stem from different sources such as the inherited trade specialization of the country, its geographical location and natural endowments, its macroeconomic situation and the economic policies pursued in the transition period, as well as the process of enterprise reform and microeconomic adjustment.

This paper addresses issues related to Bulgarian export performance during the transition period and the effective obstacles to export expansion on macro and micro levels. Part of the study concentrates on impediments to exports faced by Bulgarian exporters as they are viewed by the companies themselves. This part of the study is based on a sample survey of some 18 Bulgarian enterprises.

The results confirm that Bulgarian producers still face significant export barriers, many of which are of domestic origin. This creates serious challenges for Bulgarian economic policy in the next phase of the transformation process.

Item Type: Article
Research Programs: Economic Transition and Integration (ETI)
Bibliographic Reference: MOCT-MOST: Economic Policy in Transitional Economies; 7(2):33-55 (June 1997)
Depositing User: IIASA Import
Date Deposited: 15 Jan 2016 02:08
Last Modified: 27 Aug 2021 17:36
URI: https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/5039

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