Does the trade structure among the league of Arab states show potential for a successful regional economic integration?

Hamid, Zarinah and Mohd Amin, Ruzita and Md Saad, Norma (2008) Does the trade structure among the league of Arab states show potential for a successful regional economic integration? Journal of Economic Cooperation Among Islamic Countries, 29 (4). pp. 37-70. ISSN 0252-953X

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Abstract

The League of Arab States (LAS) has placed an equally important attention on economic matters whereby the Economic and Social Council of the League adopted resolution No. 1317 of the 1980 Amman Summit declaring the establishment of a Pan-Arab Free Trade Area. This paper investigates whether or not the LAS possesses the necessary prerequisites for a successful regional trade arrangement. It examines the trade structure among five LAS members, namely Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Oman by analyzing their dynamic exports as well as their “trade concentration”, and “trade divergence” profiles between the years 1990 and 2003. In general, the findings indicate that the existing trade structure may not facilitate intra-regional trade among LAS members. Divergence estimates indicate that only Jordan shows prospects for greater regional exports while the prospects for Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Syria do not appear to be encouraging. Except for Jordan, exports are found to be highly concentrated especially for Saudi Arabia and Syria. Therefore, based on the findings there is a need for these countries to realign their trade policies in order to promote a more favorable environment for the creation of the Pan-Arab Free Trade Area.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	728/4401
Uncontrolled Keywords:	trade; economic integration; middle east countries;
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD9000 Special industries and trades H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF3000 By region or country
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences > Department of Economics
Depositing User:	Dr. Zarinah Hamid
Date Deposited:	28 Nov 2011 21:01
Last Modified:	06 Mar 2016 08:05
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/4401

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