SPECIALIZATION ANALYSIS OF MENA COUNTRIES ACCORDING TO FACTOR DENSITIES
SPECIALIZATION ANALYSIS OF MENA COUNTRIES ACCORDING TO FACTOR DENSITIES

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the level of specialization of MENA countries in foreign trade using the Lafay index (LFI) between 2000 and 2016. In this context, the levels of specialization in the foreign trade of the countries mentioned were examined by using SITC Rev. 3, 2-digit product groups. According to the values obtained from the analyses, countries provided specialization in the foreign trade of products with low added value factor equipment. In other words, countries did not gain a competitive advantage in the foreign trade of high value-added products during the specified period. However, Jordan, Morocco, Israel and Tunisia from the MENA countries provided specialization in the foreign trade of some innovative product groups. The fact that other countries are net external buyers in the production and export of high value-added products negatively affects global competitiveness.

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