Assessing the Impact of Trade Facilitation on Firms: Lessons from Zambia

Trade facilitation has attracted a lot of interest and attention, particularly in light of the World Trade Organization’s multilateral trading system. However, the implications of trade facilitation from a firm and Least Developing Country perspective have remained largely unexplored. This oversight is notable, as companies and corporations are typically the principal actors in international trade. This study thus aims to fill that gap by conducting a quantitative analysis that estimates the effects of trade facilitation on firms and businesses operating in Zambia. Arising from the analysis, the study’s findings demonstrate that trade facilitation has a positive effect on businesses. In particular, targeted trade facilitation initiatives exert a more substantial impact on firm imports and exports than standard process improvements. It is therefore anticipated that these findings will encourage a more focused approach to trade facilitation, not only in Zambia but also in other countries with similar socioeconomic characteristics. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59857/ABTC8217