Analysis of factors constraining itra_maghreb trade

Abstract EN

The creation of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) on February 17, 1989 by Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia was aimed at increasing the volume of intra-regional trade, an aim that was expressed explicitly in the founding (Marrakech) declaration.

Fifteen years after, this objective is far from being realised.

The share of intra-regional trade in AMU's total trade is still exceptionally small, hovering at around 3%.

This article explores the hypothesis that this situation may reflect the fact that the factors, namely — geographical proximity, cultural and historical similarities, and the height of tariffs — which were initially thought to determine potential intra-AMU trade, may have played only a secondary role, if at all