SWOT ANALYSIS OF INTRA-REGIONAL TRADE IN INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION (IORA) (A CASE STUDY OF INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION)

Abstract

The objective of this research is to find out the need of Regional Trade Agreement for the Indian Ocean Rim Association in order to enhance the Intra-Regional Trade (IRT) between IORA Member States, which consist of 21 countries with different economic status and objectives. With a strategic location, the region is blessed by an abundance of resources as well as it is the gateway crossing for shipping cargos and those with the aims to trade and invest, the region is also surrounded by cradling civilizations and cultures which means that the future of trade . The researcher uses qualitative approach in order to achieve the objectives by analyzing the intra-regional trade of 21 IORA Member States in the Indian Ocean. The SWOT Analysis revealed that there is a need for Member States to implement trade mechanism/agreement in order to enhance the intra-regional trade within the region.