Is the Middle East and North Africa Region Achieving Its Trade Potential?

Author/Editor:

Ludvig Söderling

Publication Date:

May 1, 2005

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper analyzes export performance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) using a gravity model applied to panel data. It addresses two questions: (i) are there significant unexploited export markets for the MENA region?; and (ii) have integration efforts with the EU since the mid-1990s yielded positive results? The results suggest that several MENA countries are substantially underexploiting the United States as an export market. Moreover, the impact of integration efforts with the European Union has been moderate overall but significant in individual cases.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2005/090

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

May 1, 2005

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451861099/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2005090

Pages:

23

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