Determinants of Exports Competitiveness: An Empirical Analysis through Revealed Comparative Advantage of External Sector of Pakistan

Abstract

In this paper, we have endeavored to analyze a sector-wise export performance of Pakistan using Revealed Comparative Advantage with the global market. Data for the period 2003-2015, Harmonized System (HS) 1988/92 developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) are employed in the analysis. We have observed that Pakistan foreign trade concentrated limited products and markets for many years and there are no serious attempts to diversify its export share to the world. Empirical results show that Pakistan is not a major trading player in the international trade. However, it is a major trading player in some of its export items such as, textile and clothing sector, Vegetable, and hides and skins sector which have prominent revealed comparative advantage. Pakistan should diversify its exports and improve its trade diplomacy.