On the path of integration in the Gulf region |
| |
| Authors: | Ali F. Darrat Fatima S. Al-Shamsi |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Economics and Finance , College of Administration and Business, Louisiana Tech University , Ruston, LA 71272, USA;2. Department of Accounting and Finance , School of Business and Management, American University of Sharjah , Sharjah, UAE;3. Department of Economics , College of Business and Economics, United Arab Emirates University , Al-Ain, UAE |
| |
| Abstract: | It is examined whether the six countries comprising the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are sufficiently compatible to form a viable economic and financial block in the Gulf region. Despite long and numerous governmental attempts since the mid 1980s, and in spite of public pressures to expedite the process, these countries have thus far failed to achieve full economic and financial integration. Empirical evidence suggests that this apparent failure is unlikely the outcome of economic or financial incompatibility among the countries in the region. The results imply that more efforts should be directed at resolving possible sociopolitical differences that may have hampered real progress toward the emergence of a genuine and effective bloc in the Gulf region. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
