This is an outdated version published on 2023-06-04. Read the most recent version.

The role of diplomatic missions in fostering international trade

A literature review to be considered in the Visegrad Countries when dealing with Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors

  • Szabolcs Pásztor Associate professor at University of Public Service, Budapest, Hungary

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59569/jceeas.2021.1.1-2.11

Abstract

The paper briefly shows the renewed interest in and fundamental reasons for establishing new diplomatic missions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Old and new trading partners alike are trying to create more embassies and consulates because they strive to help the private sector by preparing the ground for bilateral trade. The Central and Eastern European (CEE), and the Visegrad (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovak Republic) countries have been following the international tendencies and they have place and increased emphasis on their diplomatic missions in the hope of diversifying their exports. After synthesizing the related literature, the second part of the paper argues that embassies and consulates directly contribute to stronger bilateral trade links. It seems that by opening more embassies in the SSA region the V4 countries could find alternative markets for their products and services so the embassies count to be growth opportunities. By fostering stronger economic and political ties both regions could benefit from the new scramble for diplomatic missions in various forms.

Author Biography

Szabolcs Pásztor, Associate professor at University of Public Service, Budapest, Hungary

Szabolcs Pasztor is a Budapest based economist and an associate professor at the University of Public Service. Also he is a senior researcher at the African Research Institute (University of Obuda, Budapest). He received his PhD from the University of Debrecen. He regularly teaches at Kenyan and Ethiopian Universities and does field research in South and East Africa. His research and publications are clustered around the economic and financial transformation of Sub-Saharan Africa. He is a founder and vice-president of the Central European Knowledge Center for Business Studies in Africa. He is an editorial board member of a number of Hungarian and foreign journals. His publication record contains over 60 articles in academic journals and elsewhere.

Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies Volume 1 Number 1-2 2021

Downloads

Published

2021-07-04 — Updated on 2023-06-04

Versions

How to Cite

Pásztor, S. (2023). The role of diplomatic missions in fostering international trade: A literature review to be considered in the Visegrad Countries when dealing with Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies, 1(1-2), 196–208. https://doi.org/10.59569/jceeas.2021.1.1-2.11 (Original work published July 4, 2021)

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1-2 (2021): JCEEAS - Vol 1 Number 1-2 2021

Section

Articles