An Analytical framework for the assessment of costs and benefits of regional economic integration : the SACU and SADC experiences

Abstract

It is widely observed that among developing countries, the motivation for and the objective of economic integration is not just integration perse, but rather the attainment of economic development goals. In other words, economic integration is seen as a paradigm for industrialization. It is also worth noting that the political leadership perceives economic integration and he gains from it in national terms and this is why the economic integration pacts they sign and or ratify emphasize the notion of “perceived equity in the distribution of gains or benefits from integration”.