The world and regional economies have been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. The combined effects of the pandemic and global and national lockdowns have caused havoc in the countries of South and South-West Asia (SSWA), with their trade severely impacted. This paper investigates the subregion's...

The past decade has witnessed significant developments in the banking structure of the Arab World. The emergence of OPEC, the increase in oil revenues and accumulation of large reserves, led not only to an overall boom of economic activity in the petroleum exporting countries but also...

Frontmatter -- Preface -- Contents -- 1. Comparative Economic History -- 2. Group Behavior and International Trade -- 3. The Rise of Free Trade in Western Europe, 1820 to 1875 -- 4. The Formation of Financial Centers -- 5. Commercial Expansion and the Industrial Revolution -- 6. European Port...

This paper argues for a transformation of finance to support the economic and social transformation of the Middle East and North Africa. The paper first documents the existing financial system in the region. The system is heavily skewed toward banking, relative to non-banking services, such as...

This volume contains three main themes. The first theme relates to financial developments in the MENA region, emphasizing the role of stock markets and portfolio flows, foreign direct investments and private and public savings in the growth and development experience of the region. We see echoed...