Stagnant economies untouched by new mood in Mideast

[Rose Siding]

As President Bush presses for democratic change in Iraq and the Middle East, he has stressed free elections as the best measure of progress in this bold political experiment. But a number of Middle Eastern experts say that for any political reforms to gain a strong foothold, he will have to focus on an area his administration has all but ignored -- the economies of the Middle East, which are among the most closed in the world.
...
Nearly every Middle Eastern government holds monopolies over vast sectors of its economy, a cause of stagnation. Per capita income has dropped 40 percent across the region since 1982, according to a recent study by the Institute for International Economics.

The Arab League projects that unemployment could explode from 15 million people out of work now to 50 million over the next 15 years....
...
"This region is still light years behind," she (Charlene Barshefsky, U.S. trade representative during the Clinton administration) said. "A more radical approach is needed. It isn't only behind in an absolute sense, it is falling further behind in a relative sense, and it will get worse if it doesn't move quickly.
"Economic growth in that region is absolutely essential if peace is to sustainable. There has to be a dividend for the people there. Democracy doesn't put bread on the table. Democracy won't employ the 50 percent of the people out of jobs in some of these countries. Democracy is unsustainable without growth and revitalization throughout this region."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/03/17/MNG8ABQK451.DTL

[Colorado Blue]

1. Great post, thanks. Economic revitalization is key to the

future for this region! Unfortunately our leaders seem to be thinking primarily of ways to exploit the oil resources of the region and not how to help develop the potential of the people.

IMO we should be working to enhance the ability of people to trade with each other, develop small businesses and forge relationships with the global business community - hitech included.

Modern farming techniques could be introduced. This is especially important in areas in which the land appears to be laden with salts and exhausted by ages of irrigation and farming - in Afghanistan, for example.

So many Afghan animals were killed during the war with the Soviets, sheep especially, the people and the economy have never recovered. Great shepherds and weavers like the Turkmen have fled and the land given to the poppy. Perhaps they could be encouraged to return and assisted with the establishment of new herds. The Israelis are working on sophisticated desalinization technology that could transform the entire region, which is largely arid or semi-arid. Water is more precious than oil, in the Middle East.

Soil has been eroded; this needs to be enhanced. Cooperative groups to sell the gorgeous crafts produced by tribal women could be established. Art, philosophy and science could be introduced to more people, especially including women.

Bridges could be built, between the ancient economic groups represented by pastoral nomads, for example, and the world of the 21st century - without destroying either, protecting the environment and maximizing the potential of animals and land. Modern dot.com businesses and business interfaces could be established in the cities.

'Course, the people of the US could use some help in those departments too:)

[Boo Boo]

2. That's because there is no

New Mood(tm) in the Middle East. Cripes.