The paper highlights the nature of the dual challenges of globalisation and regionalism and spells out the basic economic characteristics of the OIC region (54 member countries, 31 of whom belong to high- and middle-income groups). It finally offers suggestions to enhance the region's capacity to meet the new economic challenges more effectively: "OIC countries should seek to do together what they cannot do alone." (Figures: averages for the 1989-1995 period) (DÜI-Cls)