Working Papers

Regional Options Within the Multilateral Trading System for the Countries and Territories of the Mashreq

No.

819

Publisher

Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Date

December, 1998

Topic

F. International Economics

Abstract Starting from the observation that intra-regional trade flows in the Mashreq are abnormally low, the paper reviews the existing trade agreements and the alternative options that the countries of the region could embrace in order to deepen their trade relations. This discussion is set against the background of the two major factors that are shaping the region's trading opportunities: on the one hand, the Mediterranean Initiative of the European Union - in particular the Euro-Mediterranean free trade agreements - and on the other, the rules governing regional trade agreements in the multilateral trading system - in particular Article XXIV of GATT, the Enabling Clause and Article V of GATS. Arabic Abstract:
" تبدأ هذه الورقة من ملاحظة ان تدفقات التجارة البينية فى المشرق العربى منخفضة للغاية، وتستعرض الاتفاقات التجارية القائمة والخيارات البديلة التى يمكن ان تأخذ بها دول المنطقة من أجل تعميق علاقاتها التجارية. وقد قدمت هذه المناقشة على ضوء عاملين اساسيين يشكلان"