Ute Volz RGS econ   Sophienstraße 2 Essen, 45130 Germany   uvolz@gmx.de     Biographical Sketch: 1998-2003: studies of economics at New School University and University Frankfurt (Main) 2005: economist at Deutsche Bundesbank 2005-now: phd student at RGS-econ   Primary Research Focus: foreign trade and economic integration   JEL Areas: F1 : Trade: General