Oman and the Indian Ocean Rim – Economic Integration Across Conventional Meta-Regions

Abstract

Very often economists and politicians tend to analyse past trends and future opportunities of regional economic integration in terms of pre-defined regional entities. More recent concepts across the disciplines emphasise a more open approach to regionalisation processes, focusing on region-building and on a more open definition of regions. Whereas Oman is regularly considered to be situated in MENA/the Arab world, the paper takes a different perspective and sees it as part of the Indian Ocean world. It focuses on three dimensions of this integration process: on the institutional aspect, such as membership in regional organisations or bilateral economic agreements; on the development of material economic links, mainly regional trade and secondarily firm cooperation; and on the self-positioning and branding of Oman with respect to its regional orientation and belonging.