The application of export promotion instruments by export promotion organisations of the East African Community

Abstract

The number of export promotion organisations increased significantly in the past two decades, but the research concerning these organisations are limited. Therefore, this study will add to the limited research concerning export promotion organisations by investigating the public export promotion organisations within Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda that will hereafter be referred to as the East African Community member countries. The key research question of this dissertation is which export promotion instruments are applied by the export promotion organisations of the East African Community member countries? Literature available concerning export promotion organisations are outdated and rather scant. There is also limited research available on the successful trade regimes of the East African countries, in the context where regimes are methods used by a government to regulate trade. Consequently, the dissertation considers the public export promotion organisations of the member countries of the East African Community which assists their governments in the regulation of a country's export sector. The application of export promotion instruments by the EAC member countries' export promotion organisations are also considered in order to add to the literature available on export promotion organisations. Before commencing with the empirical research, a sound theoretical foundation is laid. International trade theory and literature available on export promotion organisations are examined. A socio-economic, political and trade environment investigation builds on the foundation and introduces the export promotion organisations considered in the dissertation namely, the API in Burundi, KEPROBA and the EPC in Kenya, the RDB in Rwanda, TanTrade in Tanzania and the UEPB of Uganda. These organisations are investigated after considering the most appropriate research design. The research design is based on an interpretive research philosophy with a generally inductive research approach. The methodology selected for the study is a qualitative, case study methodology that is cross-sectional and gathers primary data by means of onsite, unstructured interviews. The interviews conducted at the export promotion organisations' office is utilised to determine the export promotion instruments applied by the organisation under investigation. The research discovers that export promotion organisations of the EAC member countries are continually adapting to its developing environment. Therefore, the organisations apply general and country specific export promotion instruments, including trade advocacy, general export activity training, trade fairs, market information, trade clinics and export coaching sessions.