While ESCWA member countries face a number of obstacles to increasing regional trade, a consensus exists among policymakers that the economic integration in the region is crucial both to promote economic growth and development and to overcome the challenges of globalization.

For more than three decades, the ESCWA region has been exporting capital; experiencing volatile real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth; has the highest unemployment rate globally; suffers from rising income inequality; and has a poorly-balanced economic structure that is overwhelmi

The sixth issue of the Annual Review analyses the extent to which Arab countries are integrated into the global economy and the degree of economic integration among those countries. It draws particular attention to foreign direct investment, tourism and World Trade Organization negotiations.

The movement of natural persons is a major concern for developing countries, where the labour force is seen as a major pillar for development. This study highlights the marked disparity in unemployment rates, income levels and production structure among Arab countries.

This issue highlights the importance of promoting the knowledge society and the culture of knowledge exchange in the region through the information and communications technology (ICT) which contributes to generating, treating, classifying and exchanging information.

In much of the Arab region, economic development is not guaranteeing social benefits. Poverty and unemployment continue to plague many countries, and basic social services, including health and education, are inequitable, inadequate or absent.

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ESCWA is publishing the Regional Profile of the Information Society in Western Asia - 2007 as a part of the follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society.