Section III: Competitiveness and Effectiveness

Title: Competitive policies and macroeconomic volatility in MENA countries

Author(s): Doaa M. Salman

Address: Department of Economics, October University for Modern Science and Arts, Egypt

Reference: BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AND COMPETITIVENESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA pp. 95 - 110

Abstract/Summary: It has been observed that competition policy has emerged as a major issue on the global trade agenda and this is due to the pressure made by major developed countries to enhance their economic environment. This in turn has a key implication on economic development strategies, policies and practices. This chapter focuses on the main key issues that can improve developing countries competitive policies; within their experiences of volatile macroeconomic variables that hinder their economic growth and competitiveness. This chapter studies different factors that would enhance competitive policies in three of Middle East and North Africa MENA countries. The main criteria in choosing these countries are their volatile macroeconomic status. Results show that enforcing competition policies in many countries led them to loose their competitive environment; where the degree of exposure to internal and external shocks, extent of economic diversification and international competitiveness were relevant factors in explaining weak economic growth in many of these countries.

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