Abdoul, thanks very much for your input. Your quote below is valid under
ceteris paribus conditions (all things equal in economics). However, things
around the world are never equal and thus, you have the trade wars and
dumping issues that currently grips the US steel industry among other
industries and countries. Moreover, is the theory of comparative advantage
working for Gambia and the so called "Third World"? What is The Gambia
selling to the outside world, that is the question. Very few things. We
can produce our fish, fruits, and vegetables cheaper than most of the
countries in the west and around the world. We buy everything from them,
even the rice that we can grow much cheaper than the producers in Louisiana
or South Carolina. Singapore is where it is today because they sold more
than they import. In the sixties, our economy was the same as Singapore's
in almost all factors. Where they left us behind, way behind, is their
leadership flatly refused aid but requested to have access to world markets,
and the rest is history. They developed a culture of manufacturing and
production where as we chose the consumption route. They were able to delay
gratification, when we were more eager to stretch our hand and 37 years
later we are still stretching our hand. The more you sell to the outside
the better off your economy, the more they sell to you the worst off you
are, especially, when they also loan you the money to buy from them. Our
ancestors even have a saying for it "Bul Ma Mei Jeen, Jangal Maa Nee Nour
Nappe" (don't give me fish, teach me how to fish). :)! Same reason why
foreigners are making it in our country as I write, while we complain. They
sell and Gambians consume. Let me know your thoughts and thanks for adding
value to the discourse.
>From: Abdoul Njie <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Another Milestone reached - Trade Versus Assistance.
>Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2002 04:29:53 +0000
>
>Joe and Mr. Sidibeh,
>
>I am of the belief that The Gambia needs to apply a mix of both trade and
>assistance.
>
>Clearly we need to refrain from accumulating high debts which only helps in
>putting us in a deeper hole, but I also think that trade between the two
>countries should be based on the economic concepts of ABSOLUTE and in some
>cases COMPARATIVE advantages.
>
>I quote:
>
>The idea here is simple and intuitive. If our country can produce some set
>of goods at lower cost than a foreign country, and if the foreign country
>can produce some other set of goods at a lower cost than we can produce
>them, then clearly it would be best for us to trade our relatively cheaper
>goods for their relatively cheaper goods. In this way both countries may
>gain from trade
>
>
>Best Regards,
>
>
>Ablie Njie
>
>
>
>
>
>
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