Economic and Social Development of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries

This book contains a unique collection of studies on key economic and social policy challenges faced by countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region in a short- and long-term perspective. Prepared within the EU funded FP7 project on "Prospective Analysis for the Mediterranean Region (MEDPRO)" conducted in 2010-2013 it takes account on recent political developments in the region (Arab Spring) and their potential consequences. It covers a broad spectrum of topics such as factors of economic growth, macroeconomic and fiscal stability, trade and investment, Euro-Mediterranean and intra-regional economic integration, private sector development and privatizations, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, financial sector development, poverty and inequality, education, labor market and gender issues.

Autorentext

Dr. Rym Ayadi is Senior Research Fellow and Head of Research of the Financial Institutions, Prudential Policy and Tax Unit at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). She was coordinator of the FP7 project on Prospective Analysis for the Mediterranean Region (MEDPRO).

Dr. Marek Dabrowski is Professor of Economics and former President of CASE Center for Social and Economic Research. He has been involved in policy advising and policy research in several European, Asian and North African countries.

Dr. Luc De Wulf is Fellow at CASE Center for Social and Economic Research and retired staff member of the IMF and World Bank with vast policy research and policy advising experience in Africa, Middle East and Asia.

Inhalt
Economic Development, Trade and Investment: Determinants of Growth in SEMC.- Euro-Mediterranean Trade: Shallow vs. Deep Integration.- The EU-Turkey Customs Union: A Model for Future Euro-Med Integration.- Manufactured Exports and FDI.- Private Sector Development.- Sectoral Studies: Transport Infrastructure.- Agriculture.- Tourism in the Mediterranean.- The Textile Industry.- Information and Communication Infrastructure.- Financial Development: Determinants of Financial Development Across the Mediterranean.- Dynamics of Bank Efficiency in the EU and SEMC: Is There a Convergence?- Convergence of Banking Regulation.- Financial Development, Bank Efficiency, and Economic Growth Across the Mediterranean.- Financial Sector Development Scenarios.- Social Development: Education Systems and Their Impact on the Labor Market.- Measuring Returns to Education and Human Capital.- Determinants and Measures of Inequality.- Female Labor Force Participation and Economic Development.- Summary: The Economic and Social Policy Reform Agenda in the SEMC: Towards a Sustainable Transition.