Intra-WAEMU Trade: The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and the Dynamics of Bilateral Trade between Cote d?Ivoire and Burkina Faso

Dr. Ceba Timothee KELY, Pr. Seraphin Bohoussou

Abstract: This paper studies from a gravitational model, the determinants of trade and the impact of regional integration on the dynamics of bilateral trade between Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. The results show that: the friendship and cooperation treaty as a catalyst is a strategic tool for regional integration that has enabled the resumption and facilitation of bilateral trade between Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso; The volume of trade between Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso is increasing, but trade flows remain largely directed towards Western partners; geographical and structural factors influence intra-WAEMU trade.

Keywords: Intra-WAEMU trade, friendship and cooperation treaty, Gravity model, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso