Bassam M Abual-foul American University of Sharjah   Economics Dept./SBM American University of Sharjah P.O. Box 26666 Sharjah, Sharjah 26666 United Arab Emirates   babufoul@aus.edu             JEL Areas: E2 : Macroeconomics: Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment: General (includes Measurement and Data) O1 : Economic Development: General