Economic Integration in MENA: The Global, Regional, and Subregional Integration Indices and Their Dynamic Interactions
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: A new index derived from the gravity model is proposed to measure global, regional, and subregional economic integration. Different intertwined relationships between these three levels of integration are found in Europe, America, Asia, and MENA, with the latter having a distinctive dumbbell integration pattern-strong in the upper global and lower subregional levels but weak in the middle regional level. The panel data cointegration approach finds that different types of integration are complements but not substitutes. Regional integration has the strongest positive externality in fostering the other types of integration. Promoting regionalization is the most efficient policy option.
Source: Journal of Economic Integration
DOI: 10.11130/jei.2025026
Authors: Simon Lo, Sasidaran Gopalan
Language: English
Topic: Global trade and economics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7140755398
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