Imports beneficial for productivity and exports

News

Despite the close link between imports and exports, most of the analysis and policy discussions have traditionally focused on how to strengthen exports. This new paper from the National Board of Trade highlights the link between imports, productivity, and exports.

There is convincing evidence that international trade is beneficial to productivity and economic growth. This relationship applies both to productivity at the firm level as well as to differences in economic growth across countries. In particular, small economies with a limited domestic market have benefited from the possibility of international exchange.

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The importance of imports for productivity and exports