{
  "title": "Is MENA a Region? The Scope for Regional Integration",
  "publication": "IMF Working Papers, April 1, 1996",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/is-mena-a-region-the-scope-for-regional-integration-2019",
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  "summary": "The paper analyzes the scope and implications of greater economic integration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). After reviewing whether MENA satisfies the defining characteristics of a region, it documents the low level of regional economic interaction.",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Overview",
      "content": "- Authors: Stanley Fischer, Mohamed A. El-Erian\n- Date: April 1, 1996\n- Core focus: analyzes the scope and implications of greater economic integration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).\n- Approach: reviews whether MENA satisfies the defining characteristics of a region, documents the low level of regional economic interaction, and discusses measures aimed directly at facilitating regional interaction."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Main findings",
      "content": "- The paper documents a low level of regional economic interaction within MENA.\n- Gains from greater regional interactions will depend primarily on implementing domestic reform and external policies.\n- These domestic reforms and external policies are, in any case, needed for the region to benefit from the broader process of globalization of the world economy.\n- The paper also discusses measures aimed directly at facilitating regional interaction."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Policy implications and recommendations",
      "content": "- Priority should be given to domestic reforms and external policy adjustments as the main route to realizing gains from regional integration.\n- Measures that directly facilitate regional interaction are discussed as complementary steps to domestic and external reforms.\n\n---\n\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/is-mena-a-region-the-scope-for-regional-integration-2019"
    }
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    "[Markdown version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/30/is-mena-a-region-the-scope-for-regional-integration-2019/index.md)",
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    "Authors: Stanley Fischer, Mohamed A. El-Erian",
    "Published: April 1, 1996",
    "Series: IMF Working Papers",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451980363.001",
    "Authors: Stanley Fischer, Mohamed A. El-Erian",
    "Date: April 1, 1996",
    "Core focus: analyzes the scope and implications of greater economic integration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).",
    "Approach: reviews whether MENA satisfies the defining characteristics of a region, documents the low level of regional economic interaction, and discusses measures aimed directly at facilitating regional interaction.",
    "The paper documents a low level of regional economic interaction within MENA.",
    "Gains from greater regional interactions will depend primarily on implementing domestic reform and external policies.",
    "These domestic reforms and external policies are, in any case, needed for the region to benefit from the broader process of globalization of the world economy.",
    "The paper also discusses measures aimed directly at facilitating regional interaction.",
    "Priority should be given to domestic reforms and external policy adjustments as the main route to realizing gains from regional integration.",
    "Measures that directly facilitate regional interaction are discussed as complementary steps to domestic and external reforms."
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