December 2024 – A new policy brief by Andre Simangunsong, Titik Anas, and Christopher Findlay highlights the need for a shift from traditional export promotion to export facilitation as a more effective strategy for enhancing global trade competitiveness. Key Findings Who Exports? A small percentage of firms dominate exports, with the most productive and larger firms more likely to participate in global trade. Factors such as human capital, foreign ownership, and the institutional environment significantly influence export decisions. Export Sustainability Issues Many firms exit export markets within a few years, often due to uncertainty, financing constraints, and difficulty in forming stable trade partnerships. Trade and Productivity Exporting enhances firm productivity through larger...