Out of stock or just in time? Doha and the liberalization of distribution services

Distribution companies provide the necessary link between producers and consumers, within and across borders. The efficiency of the sector helps ensure that consumer welfare is maximized and also that the benefits of freer trade in goods actually make their way to final consumers. Failure of the distribution sector to perform its role well – which can be induced by government policies restricting competition – can lead to a significant misallocation of resources and economic costs.