Trade liberalization and technology acquisition in the manufacturing sector: Evidence from Nigeria
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Date
2002-08-01
Authors
Ayonrinde Folasade
Olayinka Ola
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AERC
Abstract
This study reports the impact of recent trade liberalization policies in Nigeria on the
acquisition of technology by the Nigerian manufacturing sector. The report uses survey
data from 94 manufacturing firms covering three sectors: textiles, chemicals and light
engineering. The results suggest that the impact is limited. Some elements of trade
liberalization such as the abolition of import licensing and lower tariffs increased the
availability of competing goods and facilitated firms’ access to imports. However, the
increasing competitive environment is yet to generate remarkable improvement in the
technological activities of the firms. The respondents acknowledged that the rapid
depreciation of the naira following the adoption of the liberalization policy has raised the
cost of capital goods. Most of the firms agreed with the broad thrusts of government
liberalization policies, hence it is important for the government to consolidate and maintain
the credibility of these policies.
Description
HC 800 .A1 A342
Keywords
Manufacturing Industries - Nigeria , Free Trade - Nigeria