Do Borders play an Economic Role ?

While in an increasingly-global world, the concept of borders appears to be of secondary relevance, it is coming back to the fore, in particular, through the highly-publicised issue of migration. What is a border and what is its economic role? This session endeavours to respond to these questions, by delving into the economic role of borders in their historical, commercial, environmental and health-related, monetary, financial and demographic aspects. Consequently, we will address the history of borders and their development over time, the reduction and abolition of tariffs alongside the growing prominence of non-tariff measures, the institution of regional agreements and free trade areas, the impact of health-related and phyto-sanitary measures on exports, extraterritoriality in banking and finance and the effects of migratory circulation.