ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the patterns of trade among the some groups of countries in light of the major changes sustained by the international economic system. Although the value and importance of international trade between the developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa1 and Arab oil-exporting countries grew rapidly during the 1970s, its scope remains very narrow. Trade between the developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Arab oil-exporting countries is generally very narrow in scope with regard to both the number of partners and the variety of commodities traded. The rapid economic growth of the oil-exporting countries on the Arabian Peninsula seems only to have reinforced their traditional patterns of commerce with sub-Saharan Africa. Certain technologies have been transferred to both the sub-Saharan Africa countries and the Arab oil exporters by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development nations in the course of their trade.
