The Arab world increasingly falls into two divisions, the capital-poor and the capital-rich countries (where capital means, in essence, oil). In the capital-rich countries shortage of labour is the chief constraint on growth. In the capital-poor countries analysis of the labour market is equally central, as shortage of labour compounds the already existing problem of shortage of capital. This book surveys the labour markets of the Arab world state by state, evaluating them by demand and supply analysis, and analysing the different elements in trends of employment. It forecasts the areas of stress in the next decade and suggests ways of minimising them. The book, based on much previously unpublished information and on extensive on-the-spot research in the respective Arab countries, sets out the economic and social conditions which underly the impending crisis of development in the Arab region. First published in 1980.

The recent economic development of the Yemen Arab Republic is in stark contrast to the centuries of isolation that had marked the country prior to the 1962 Revolution. When economic planning was instituted in the 1970s, the nation was confronted by the needs of reconstruction after years of conflict, and of development. A formidable task was faced in the need to establish basic infrastructure throughout a country with a widely dispersed population and with extremely rugged terrain. In addition, the economy has been characterized by the high percentage of the workforce attracted overseas as migrant workers. This book provides the first comprehensive study of the economic development of this under-studied nation. First published in 1986.

R. Paul Shaw has travelled widely in the Arab world, obtaining data and gathering impressions first-hand from national and local planners. In this book, he identifies population and manpower problems that are likely to become more serious and more difficult to solve if they are neglected at this early stage of Arab development. He focuses on five broad areas which are directly or indirectly related to mobilizing human resources, and his book will be of special interest to all those who are concerned with such issues as population, migration, employment, inequality, the emancipation of women, construction and agriculture. Dr Shaw proposes policy directives which are sensitive to the problems as they are seen by the Arab governments themselves, and sets out practical guidelines which can be used by Arab planners and policy-makers. An important feature of the book with respect to current literature on Arab development is that it moves away from a preoccupation with growth-related investments to a concentration on development-related population, manpower and employment issues. By bringing together such comprehensive empirical and bibliographic information, it will also be invaluable as a reference source for some twenty Arab countries. First published in 1983.

This book, a comprehensive study of twelve of the economies of key countries of the Arab world, has three main objectives: to record the developmental achievements and failings of each country; to examine the main issues arising in the drive for development; and to assess the future outlook for development for each country. Most of the countries studied only gained independence from their colonial masters in recent decades, and the process of economic development has necessarily been accompanied by political development. First published in 1978.

This book explores in depth the factors determining economic development in the Arab region. The particular factors relevant to the Arab world are also set within the context of the broad political economy of underdevelopment. The factors are identified as comprising three main groups: economic, political administrative and socio-cultural; petroleum and regional Arab economic development are examined separately. The force and operation of each determinant is further assessed in the context of the individual countries, from which the author is able to arrive at some important conclusions concerning the interaction of these determinants and their impact upon development. First published in 1978.

Independently commissioned by IAI, the three studies comprising this book examine inter-Arab industrial and economic cooperation. The first chapter analyses the industrial strategies, economic policies and attempts at harmonisation and cooperation of the Arab countries, providing a detailed picture of the convergences and divergences, the potential and the difficulties faced by the region. The second chapter examines the importance of coordinating economic polices if economic integration is to be sustained, and considers the implications to the world economy. Lastly, the third chapter examines Arab labour flows, a key factor in the development of the Arab countries. First published in 1979.

The Arab countries are increasingly recognising their importance as a regional economic grouping. Given the highly skewed distribution of natural, human and financial resources, the course of economic development in the Arab countries seems to be interrelated. Through pooling their resources and markets these countries will not only be able to optimise investment decisions but also broaden the potential for development. This book argues that economic integration is not merely a question of reducing or eliminating discriminatory measures, as emphasised in previous integration attempts. It calls rather for a positive action based on a regional investment strategy which coordinates production programmes, to reap the benefits of specialisation and scale. The book focuses on past industrialisation efforts in the Arab countries and examines the emerging patterns of industrial growth. A pioneering attempt is made to identify specific industries whose economic viability can be enhanced by conceiving them on a regional basis. The book concludes by framing a strategy for an integrated industrial development in the Arab region. First published in 1982.