Publication: Deeper Integration and Trade in Services in the Euro-Mediterranean Region : Southern Dimensions of the European Neighborhood Policy
Date
2005
ISSN
Published
2005
Author(s)
Müller-Jentsch, Daniel
Abstract
Deeper economic integration with the
enlarged European Union - which accounts for a quarter of
global GDP and foreign direct investment - could become a
main driver for economic development in the southern
Mediterranean countries. The planned Euro-Mediterranean free
trade area for goods is a first step into that direction,
but additional measures are needed. Especially the
liberalization of services trade and the comprehensive
domestic reforms this entails would strengthen the linkages
with global and European markets. This study analyzes the
adjustment needs and policy options associated with deeper
integration between the two sides of the Mediterranean Sea.
It puts specific emphasis on the dynamics of deeper
integration at the company level and their respective policy
implications. Besides a general discussion of deeper
integration and trade in services liberalization, the study
contains detailed assessments of individual sectors -
especially the backbone services (e.g. transport,
telecommunications, financial markets, electricity) and
other sectors of relevance for deeper integration (tourism,
IT-enabled services, distribution services). Even though the
focus is on regional integration, multilateral
liberalization issues are factored into the analysis (e.g.
the GATS, the WTO Doha Round) and options for the pursuit of
an "open regionalism" are explore.
Citation
“Müller-Jentsch, Daniel. 2005. Deeper Integration and Trade in Services in the Euro-Mediterranean Region : Southern Dimensions of the European Neighborhood Policy. © Washington, DC: World Bank. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/7335 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”