Effects of Trade on OIC Economic Growth with Emphasis on Iran

In this paper, the effect of trade openness on growth is examined across the members of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) by using convergence-growth equation and GMM-System dynamic panel data estimator over the period 1980-2009. The results show that the overall trade, the trade with non-OIC countries, and the investment in physical and human capital stimulate economic growth. In contrast, intra-OIC trade, population growth, government consumption expenditure, instability, inflation, and export of primary goods are the obstacles to the OIC economic growth. According to the results, multilateral trade under preferential trade agreement between Iran and the other OIC countries will not provide considerable achievements for economic growth of Iran. In summary, the OIC members are experiencing the natural resource curse.