ABSTRACT
The establishment of financial structures and institutions through which actual regional financial transactions can be conducted provides the catalyst for the development of regional financial markets. Regional financial integration is viewed not as an end in itself but as a means of achieving a more satisfactory level and rate of development within member states and on a regional basis through increasing cooperation. A regional financial market for the Arab East market would allow unofficial participation and association in its functioning of individual and institutional economic units. The financial centers such as Lebanon's and Bahrain's have acted as conduits of funds for the international financial markets more than servicing either regional or local financial needs. Arab Company for Trading Securities is a Kuwait-based, privately owned finance house that provides the type of financial services needed by all financial centers of the Arab East.
