7AAJM213 Foreign Trade in the Middle East
Credits: 20
Module tutor: Dr Ashraf Mishrif
Assessment: one x 5,000-word essay (100%)
Teaching pattern: one two-hour class per week over ten weeks.
The module commences with a review of the theories of international trade and key policy issues affecting the world trading system since the creation of the GATT in 1947 and subsequently the WTO in 1995. The overarching focus is on trade protection and trade liberalization through an examination to a number of bilateral and regional trade arrangements across the Middle East and how these arrangements affected the economic development of the region. The module gives students the opportunity to debate the challenges facing inter-Arab trade relations, including regional and sub-regional groupings such as the Greater inter-Arab Free Trade Area, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Agadir Agreement. Key policy issues such as dumping and antidumping, intra-industry trade, trade creation and trade diversion are examined. Trade relations between the Middle East and major trading partners, including the European Union, and the United States, are analysed in the context of broad policy frameworks such as the Barcelona Process. Turkey’s customs union with the EU and the GCC trade relations with China, India and Japan are also explored.
The module is expected to provide students with an understanding of current international trade flows and trade policies, and allow them to appreciate and participate in the debates and discussions that constantly rage in this area in the Middle Eastern contextthrough detailed case studies. It will also provide students with the tools to address the theoretical approaches underpinning the development of foreign trade policies and institutions, as well as the analytical, research, presentation and writing skills that are essential for employability and marketplace.
Module aims
The aims of this module are to provide students with an understanding of current international trade flows and trade policies, and allow them to appreciate and participate in the debates and discussions that constantly rage in this area in the Middle Eastern context.
In doing so, the objectives of this module are:
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To provide students, through case studies, with an understanding of trade relations among Middle Eastern countries, as well as between these countries and their trading partners.
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To provide students with the tools to address the theoretical approaches underpinning the development of foreign trade policies and institutions.
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Provide students with the opportunity to develop their analytical, research, presentation and writing skills.
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Provide students with the relevant employability and professional skills.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module the student will be able to demonstrate
A. Knowledge and Understanding through: A. Knowledge and Understanding through:
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Critically assess the forces that drive Middle East foreign trade policy, both in theory and practice.
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Synthesise the differing chords of theory, politics, strategy, technology and factor abundance that affect the trade relations among Middle Eastern countries and between these countries and their trading partners.
B. Intellectual, Practical, Affective and Transferable Skills through:
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Apply rigorous theory to the themes of economic integration and preferential trading arrangements.
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Communicate clearly and effectively in an appropriate manner the results of that application of theory to practice.
Preliminary reading
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Miller, Rory and Mishrif, Ashraf, ‘‘The Barcelona Process and Euro-Arab Economic Relations: 1995-2005, 16 pages, Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 9, No. 2 (June 2005)
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Al-Atrash, H. & Yousef, T., “Intra-Arab Trade: Is It Too Little?” International Monetary Fund Working Paper No.10, Washington D.C., January 2000.
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Hertog, S. (2007), “The GCC and Arab economic integration: a new paradigm”, Middle East Policy, Vol. 14, No. 1, spring 2007, pp. 52-68.
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Hakimain, H. & Nugest, J. (2003), Trade policy and economic integration in the Middle East and North Africa, Routledge.
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Nicent-Chenaf, D. & Rougier, E. (2011), 'New export matter: discoveries, foreign direct investment and growth, an empirical assessment for Middle East and North African countries', The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, pp. 1-17.