Achieving a degree of macroeconomic and sectoral policy coordination is a prerequisite for regional integration and a priority for ESCWA, which strives to foster policies that will encourage greater integration. Within that broad framework, ESCWA carries out research and training in areas such as: the costs and benefits of regional integration; imperfect competition; protection of infant industries; labour market rigidities and labour mobility; disharmony in taxation structures; financial and current account liberalization; and unstable macroeconomic management. ESCWA supports efforts to implement macroeconomic policies promoting regional macroeconomic convergence.