Jean-pierre Chauffour

From Political to Economic Awakening in the Arab World: The Path of Economic Integration Jean-pierre Chauffour

Marc Notes: A Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Report for the Deauville Partnership.; Includes bibliographical references. Table of Contents: Acknowledgments -- About the Main Author -- Abbreviations -- Overview -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Adapting to a Changing Trade and FDI Landscape -- A New International Context -- The Trade and FDI Landscape in Partnership Countries -- Notes -- References -- 3. Improving Market Access and Regulations -- Agriculture -- Manufacturing -- Services -- Energy -- Labor Mobility -- Regulatory Convergence -- Notes -- References -- 4. Fostering Competitiveness and Diversification -- The FDI Regime -- The Business Climate -- Economic Governance -- The Knowledge Economy -- Notes -- References -- 5. Facilitating Trade, Access to Trade Finance, and Remittances -- Trade Facilitation -- Trade Finance -- Diaspora Engagement -- Notes -- References -- 6. Promoting Inclusiveness, Equity, and Sustainability -- Social Policies -- Regional Policies -- Societal Policies -- Notes -- References -- Appendix A. Potential for Diversification into More Sophisticated Products in Partnership Countries -- Additional Sources Consulted -- Boxes -- 1.1. How Does the Trade and FDI Engine Work? -- 1.2. The EU-Turkey Customs Union: A Model for Future Euro-Med Integration? -- 2.1. PTAs Involving the Arab World -- 2.2. Have the Export Baskets of the Partnership Countries Diversified Toward Higher-Value-Added Goods? -- 2.3. Trade and Investment Promotion, a Cornerstone of Partnership Countries' Action Plans -- 3.1. Improving the New Regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Rules of Origin -- 3.2. Measuring Nontariff Barriers -- 3.3. Services Trade Provisions in Partnership Country Trade Agreements -- 3.4. The Right Mix of Unilateral, Regional, and Multilateral Reforms to Further Integrate Partnership Countries into Regional and Global Services Markets -- 3.5. Comparative Advantage, Integration, and Technology: Solar Power from the Deserts of the MENA Region -- 3.6. The Migration Landscape around the Mediterranean Basin -- 3.7. The Resurgence of Old Migration Tools in the Euro-Med Context -- 3.8. Elements of Best Practice in Circular Migration Schemes in Canada and New Zealand. Publisher Marketing: The popular grievances that have fueled the Arab Spring since 2010 demonstrate that past development paradigms have failed to achieve the inclusive and sustainable growth expected by Arab populations. Countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have failed to develop a strong private sector that is linked with global markets, survives without state assistance, and generates productive employment for young people. One key symptom of this maldevelopment is that, with the exception of the petroleum sector, MENA remains the least trade-integrated region in the world. The Deauville Partnership, launched by the Group of Eight (G8) in Deauville, France, in May 2011, is thus strategic and timely. At the request of the G8, this report provides an analytical framework for increasing trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) for Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia (the Partnership countries ). Increased trade and FDI is a key means by which Partnership countries can achieve a path of sustainable growth that reduces youth unemployment. Moreover, trade and investment can also show short-term results. The G8 countries, Turkey, the Gulf states, and other Deauville partners can help the new Arab democracies achieve their objectives in two main ways: by effectively expanding market opportunities and by supporting domestic regulatory reforms. To start implementing a long-term vision of increased trade and investment integration, based on an integrated economic space in the Mediterranean basin, the Deauville Partnership could focus on five priority areas. These are helping Partnership countries adapt to a fast-changing trade, FDI, and jobs landscape; improving market access opportunities and market regulations; fostering competitiveness, diversification, and employment; facilitating trade and mobilizing trade finance and diaspora resources; and promoting inclusiveness, equity, and sustainability of the structural transformation brought about by the process of integration. The success of the Arab political awakening will greatly depend on the emergence of such an economic awakening that can generate quality employment for the millions of young Arab men and women who seek jobs and a decent life."

Contributor Bio:  Chauffour, Jean-Pierre Jean-Pierre Chauffour has had extensive experience with international institutions in Brussels, Geneva, and Washington. He worked for 15 years at the International Monetary Fund, where he held various positions, including representative to the World Trade Organization. He is currently economic adviser in the World Bank s International Trade Department.