Akinori Tomohara


Akinori Tomohara received his PhD in Economics from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to graduate study, Dr Tomohara worked for the Japanese Government. A broad range of research skills, work experience and contacts earned him the distinction of being an economic consultant at the Urban Institute, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. His experience includes economic research at Columbia University, and teaching as faculty at the City University of New York and University of Pittsburgh.




Papers Published in World Economics:

Export-led Growth via Export Platform Strategies

Free trade agreements (FTAs) have the potential to impact FDI structures. Specifically, we explore when and how export platform strategies can result in export-led growth. A reduction in trade costs, including tariffs and non-tariff barriers, are likely to lead to export platform FDI. Cost advantages in a host country, as well as quality labour and scale economies, are also effective in attracting export platform FDI. We conclude that medium–high technology industries in low-income countries are likely to benefit from export platform FDI. A few indices are suggested to evaluate the conditions under which countries and industries can benefit from export platform FDI.

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