A Study on the Types of and Cases Involving Increasing Consumer Welfare Due to FTA

FTA의 소비자후생 증대유형 및 사례에 관한 연구

It is well known that FTA increases consumer welfare. However, it is difficult to analyze consumer welfare effects of FTA for item by item because of the difficulty in data collection. In this respect, this study aims at analyzing the types of increasing consumer welfares with item by item. According to the result of the study, there are five types of consumer welfare increased by FTA, and the items are like below: banana, kiwi, octopus, wine, and etc. However, it is hard for consumer to feel effects of FTA directly for several reasons. The problem of distribution structure of imported goods and, tariff reductions over long period are parts of the reasons to reduce the consumer wealfare effects. And the lack of consumer awareness about imported goods also reduces them. In order to promote FTA more efficiently, this study suggests that the government must improve the problems mentioned because consumer consent is essential element for further FTA promotion.