Export profiles of small land-locked countries: what are their implications for Lesotho?

A geographic factor generally held to negatively impact on trade is the lack of direct access to ocean transport, or to the sea via rivers. This study determines if an analysis of the recent export performance of selected small, geographically disadvantaged, developing countries can provide useful insights concerning new export options for a given ‘target’ country (Lesotho) with similar physical characteristics. First, a comprehensive survey is undertaken to identify a ‘comparator group’ of countries whose size and other physical characteristics correspond with those of Lesotho. Next, trade statistics for the comparators are tabulated and similarities, and dissimilarities, between the export profiles of individual countries are examined. The paper closes with an assessment of available evidence on the commercial environment in Lesotho and its implications for the country’s trade prospects. The study identifies several priority problems that have a major bearing on Lesotho’s trade. These relate to the need for diversification of exports, Lesotho’s international competitiveness, and the influence of the domestic commercial environment. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]