Open economy and protectionist measures in agriculture: South Korean experience
2011
Ozols, A., Daugavpils Univ. (Latvia)
Starting from very low positions in the 1970s South Korea has become the 14th world economy in 2010. In Korean modern knowledge-based economy the agriculture is still one of the main branches. Despite strong disagreements with the WTO and foreign trade partners the protectionist measures are still effective, like the protection of domestic rice market and the state support of fishery all over the world ocean. Small farms are encouraged by the state and they provide more than 90% of total agricultural production; though the bigger farms are also welcomed. In 2009, the Korean government announced a new international project New Asia Initiative, which implies conclusion of free trade agreements between Asian countries and development of the so-called Green Economy Belt in the Pacific- Asian region. The support measures also include tax incentives for farming households, direct financial support of farmers, assistance in foreign manpower supply, support of any forms of cooperation, diversification of international trade links, creation of the Korean National Food Cluster ''Foodpolis'', government efforts in quality control, political support of land leasing in foreign countries, defending of government positions on issues relating food security in the international arena, support of Korean fishing fleet all over the world, and new international political project New Asia Initiative. The experience in the development of a modern, open, sustainable economy, while maintaining protectionist measures for local agricultural producers, is interesting for studying and implementation in Latvia.
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