OIC Central Asian countries in transition : integration into the world economy and cooperation with the rest of the OIC countries

After more than a decade since their independence in 1991, the six OIC Central Asian member countries (former Soviet Union republics) are still struggling in their integration into the world economy and facing a particularly difficult transition process where a long unfinished reform agenda remains. Given the complex political and economic picture of the region around the Caspian Sea where they are located, this paper attempts to shed light on the problems, potentials and policy challenges facing those countries in their integration process. It gives special attention to their integration at the regional level, particularly the possibilities of further regional cooperation with the rest of the OIC members (J Eco Coop Isl Count/DÜI)