Download or read book Unlocking Sustainable Private Sector Growth in the Middle East and North Africa written by European Investment Bank and published by European Investment Bank. This book was released on 2022-06-09 with total page 137 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: More than a decade after the Arab Spring, the Middle East and North Africa region finds itself facing momentous challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted economies, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine sent shockwaves through the region, with higher hydrocarbon prices, risks to food security and a drop in tourism. Beyond looms the threat of climate change. But challenging times provide opportunities for change. The region's private sector can seize the moment. It remains the hope for many young people and has the potential to drive a sustainable model of growth. The Enterprise Surveys, conducted by the EIB, EBRD and the World Bank, provide insight into what lies beneath the region's relatively slow growth, with a focus on the reasons for stagnating productivity and inadequate accumulation of human and physical capital in the private sector.

Download or read book Unlocking Sustainable Private Sector Growth in the Middle East and North Africa written by World Bank Group and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has been weak since the global financial crisis of 2007-09 and the Arab Spring of the early 2010s. Achieving higher and sustainable growth is particularly important in view of other economic challenges facing the region: public debt in MENA countries has increased considerably over the last decade, accompanied by declining investment. This report seeks to understand what lies beneath that relatively slow growth, with a particular focus on the reasons for stagnating productivity and inadequate accumulation of human capital and physical capital in the region's private sector. To this end, the report summarizes the main findings from nine background papers based on enterprise survey data. It also draws conclusions for policy, not only for promoting stronger firm performance, but also for addressing the challenge of climate change by pursuing sustainable growth.

Download or read book Unlocking Sustainable Private Sector Growth in the Middle East and North Africa written by and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Surveys of nearly 6 000 businesses in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and the West Bank and Gaza shed light on the state of the private sector in the Middle East and North Africa. More than a decade after the Arab Spring, the Middle East and North Africa region finds itself facing momentous challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted economies, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine sent shockwaves through the region, with higher hydrocarbon prices, risks to food security and a drop in tourism. Beyond looms the threat of climate change. But challenging times provide opportunities for change. The region's private sector can seize the moment. It remains the hope for many young people and has the potential to drive a sustainable model of growth. The Enterprise Surveys, conducted by the EIB, EBRD and the World Bank, provide insight into what lies beneath the region's relatively slow growth, with a focus on the reasons for stagnating productivity and inadequate accumulation of human and physical capital in the private sector.

Download or read book From Privilege to Competition written by World Bank and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2009-11-04 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'From Privilege to Competition: Unlocking Private-Led Growth in the Middle East and North Africa' sheds new light on the difficult quest for stronger and more diversified growth in a region of unquestionable potential. It underlines the need to strengthen reforms in many areas specifically, by reducing policy uncertainty and improving credit and real estate markets. It also highlights other important issues that restrain the credibility and impact of reforms in many parts of the region: conflicts of interest between politicians and businesses, an investment climate that favors a few privileged firms, and a dominant private sector that often opposes reforms. The book recommends that countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) engage in more credible reform agendas by improving the implementation of policies in a manner that will reduce discretion and privileges. This renewed commitment to stronger growth would entail several developments. First, governments will need to reduce opportunities for rent-seeking and foster competition. Second, they will need to work to reform institutions: private sector development policies will need to be systematically anchored in elements of institutional and public sector reforms in order to reduce discretion and opacity and improve the quality of services to firms. Third, they will need to mobilize all stakeholders, including larger representations from the private sector, around dedicated long-term growth strategies. Short of such a fundamental shift in the way private sector policies are formulated and implemented, investor expectations that governments are committed to reform will be limited. It will take political will and time to support sustained reforms that credibly convince investors and the public that changes are real, deep, and set to last. MENA countries are endowed with strong human capital, good infrastructure, immense resources, and a great deal of untapped creativity and entrepreneurship. The economic and social payoff of embarking on a more ambitious private-led growth agenda could thus be immense for all.

Download or read book Jobs Access to Credit and Informality in the Middle East and North Africa written by Emanuele Brancati and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Job creation in the Middle East and North Africa is sluggish, and Enterprise Survey data show that difficult access to credit, and competition from the informal sector play a role in this stagnation. The economic environment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is characterised by a long-lasting stagnation in job creation. Over the period 2016-2019, employment growth was about 1.4%, well below the performance of lower-middle- and upper-middle-income countries. One crucial determinant of employment growth is finance, with recent evidence documenting the positive effect of access to credit on employment and investment. Yet, an obstacle to the virtuous role of the financial system in the region is the disconnectedness of private firms from the banking sector. Another important feature of MENA economies is informality. Data from the Enterprise Surveys show that 29% of MENA firms say they are exposed to competition from informal firms, which poses a possible threat to the proper functioning of the economy and to the operation of formal firms. The Enterprise Surveys, conducted by the EIB, EBRD and the World Bank, provide insight into what lies beneath the region's relatively slow growth, with a focus on the reasons for stagnating productivity and inadequate accumulation of human and physical capital in the private sector. This working paper is the second of nine supporting the full report: Unlocking sustainable growth in the Middle East and North Africa private sector.

Download or read book Private Sector Development in the Middle East and North Africa Making Reforms Succeed Moving Forward with the MENA Investment Policy Agenda written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2008-07-29 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Highlights key outcomes of the work of the MENA-OECD Investment Programme from 2005-2007, including reforms achieved to date in investment policies and promotion, corporate governance, financial-sector development, and tax policies.

Download or read book Partners for Development written by Samiha Fawzy and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 1999-01-01 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ¿¿the world is changing and so should the region. After decades of state domination of economic activity, many governments around the world are relying increasingly on the private sector to foster economic growth.¿ There is a growing consensus that the time has come for governments and private sector leaders of the Middle East and North Africa to forge a new partnership for development. However, the question is: what kind of partnership should the two parties seek in order to ensure sustainable economic development? This volume attempts to address this question. To make the investigation tractable, the papers deal with four key facets of the government-private sector interface: the business environment, privatization, infrastructure, and two activities that induce transaction costs, tax administration and government procurement. The volume derives its content from papers on the theme of public-private partnerships discussed at the second Mediterranean Development Forum (MDF2) held in Marrackech, Morocco on September 3-6, 1998. The papers presented here are intended to contribute to the ongoing debate on the development opportunities and challenges facing the countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Download or read book Trade and Innovation in the Middle East and North Africa written by Matteo Ficarra and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Participation in international trade goes hand-in-hand with innovation in the private sector in the Middle East and the North Africa, according to data collected from 6 000 companies. International trade is a key determinant of the competitiveness and innovation of firms in the Middle East and North Africa. In Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and the West Bank and Gaza, firms that trade in international markets tend to innovate more, and trade grows faster when the firms invest in innovation. Trade with developed economies and access to information and know-how through participation in international markets can help firms in the Middle East and North Africa catch up with other regions and close the innovation gap. Improving customs and trade regulations can increase access to international markets to a larger share of firms. The Enterprise Surveys, conducted by the EIB, EBRD and the World Bank, provide insight into what lies beneath the region's relatively slow growth, with a focus on the reasons for stagnating productivity and inadequate accumulation of human and physical capital in the private sector. This is the sixth of nine working papers supporting the full report: Unlocking sustainable growth in the Middle East and North Africa private sector.

Download or read book Management Practices and the Partial Government Ownership of Firms in the Middle East and North Africa written by Asif M. Islam and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Better management practices and a disentanglement from government ownership could yield better results for businesses in the Middle East and North Africa, data from the Enterprise Surveys show. Well-managed firms are more productive, have higher operating profits, are more outward oriented and invest more in research and development. But company ownership also plays a role. Evidence from the Enterprise Surveys points to a negative relationship between partial government ownership and management practices in the Middle East and North Africa, where there is a high ratio of state-owned firms and where political connections play an important role in business management. To improve managerial practices, firms in the region must first disentangle themselves from government ownership. Management training and consultancy hold promise, but as long as governments distort incentives in the region, these cannot be fully effective. The Enterprise Surveys, conducted by the EIB, EBRD and the World Bank, provide insight into what lies beneath the region's relatively slow growth, with a focus on the reasons for stagnating productivity and inadequate accumulation of human and physical capital in the private sector. This is the seventh of nine working papers supporting the full report: Unlocking sustainable growth in the Middle East and North Africa private sector.

Download or read book Challenges of Economic Development in the Middle East and North Africa Region written by Julia Devlin and published by World Scientific. This book was released on 2010 with total page 566 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ch. 1. Is MENA exceptional? ch. 2. State formation, consolidation, and development, 1960s-1980s -- ch. 3. Toward greater use of markets and the global economy? -- ch. 4. Oil, OPEC, and the challenges of surplus management -- ch. 5. Water scarcity and agricultural policy in the MENA region -- ch. 6. Building a new future : development in the post-conflict context and post-disaster recovery -- ch. 7. Is the MENA region "open" for business? -- ch. 8. Making global integration work for MENA countries -- ch. 9. Are market disciplines sufficient? Industrial policy and technology transfer -- ch. 10. The keys to the future : human capital development in the MENA region -- ch. 11. Are MENA's labor markets the key to growth? -- ch. 12. Closing the poverty gap in MENA -- ch. 13. Development assistance and its effectiveness in MENA countries -- ch. 14. Pathways to future prosperity.

Download or read book Breaking the Barriers to Higher Economic Growth written by Mustapha Kamel Nabli and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2007-01-01 with total page 500 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The world's attention to the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has often been dominated by headline issues: conflict, sanctions, political turmoil, and rising oil prices. Little of this international attention has considered the broad range of development challenges facing this diverse group of countries. Breaking the Barriers reflects the collected thinking of the World Bank's Office of the Chief Economist for the MENA Region on the long-term development challenges facing the region and the reform priorities and strategies for effectively meeting these challenges. It.

Download or read book Promoting Inclusive Growth in the Middle East and North Africa written by Mr. Roberto Cardarelli and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2022-10-11 with total page 150 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite some pre-pandemic gains in poverty reduction, literacy, and lifespans, many economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have struggled to ensure that the benefits of economic development and diversification accrue equitably to all segments of their populations. Among the main issues that remain unresolved are the high share of inactive youth (who are not engaged in employment, education, or training); large gaps in economic opportunities for women; fragmented social protection systems; and underdeveloped private sectors with tight regulation, absence of a level playing field, and limited access to credit that stifle the creation of new firms and growth, employment, and incomes. The COVID-19 pandemic not only risks wiping out some of the progress made in the region over the past decades, but could also exacerbate inequality in a durable way. There is evidence that the impact of the pandemic has been uneven across groups, with the recession having a disproportionate effect on the low-skilled, the young, women, and migrant workers in employment and incomes. With widespread inequality, high unemployment, and the expected entry of 27 million young people into the labor force over the next 10 years, countries across the MENA region need to evolve their economic models to boost job creation and make sure that the benefits of economic development are shared more widely among all their citizens. This book’s objective is to reassess the inclusive growth agenda in the MENA region in light of the rapidly changing pandemic-influenced world. It argues that countries need to embrace global trade and technological advances and evolving demographics at home as an opportunity to successfully implement policies that foster higher and more inclusive growth. It underscores that a return to the old social contract is neither desirable nor feasible. The book presents a comprehensive view of policies suited to the regional context that would boost job-rich and inclusive growth within a resilient macroeconomic policy framework. Its goal is to provide guidance to policymakers in the region to frame how best to promote inclusive growth, including in their engagement with all stakeholders.

Download or read book Unlocking Opportunities Business Development in the MENA Region written by Ibrahim Diab and published by Ibrahim Diab. This book was released on 2024-03-22 with total page 491 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unlock the potential of the dynamic MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region with "Unlocking Opportunities: Business Development in the MENA Region." This comprehensive guide offers invaluable insights and strategies for entrepreneurs, executives, and businesses seeking to thrive in one of the world's most promising markets. In "Unlocking Opportunities," readers embark on a journey through ten essential chapters, each meticulously crafted to provide a deeper understanding of the MENA region's intricacies and opportunities. Begin your exploration with Chapter 1, where you'll gain a foundational understanding of the MENA region, its diverse cultures, economies, and business landscapes. Chapter 2 delves into the opportunities awaiting savvy entrepreneurs, alongside the challenges they must navigate to succeed. Chapter 3 offers actionable strategies for success, drawing on real-world experiences and expert insights. Learn from the triumphs and trials of established businesses in Chapter 4 through compelling case studies that illuminate key principles and practices. Stay ahead of emerging trends and seize new opportunities with Chapter 5, which forecasts the region's trajectory and identifies areas primed for growth. Navigate the regulatory landscape and legal considerations in Chapter 6 to ensure compliance and mitigate risks effectively. Cultural sensitivity is paramount in the MENA region, as explored in Chapter 7, where readers discover strategies for building trust and fostering fruitful relationships. Forge strategic partnerships and expand your networks with Chapter 8's guidance on collaboration and connectivity. Mitigate risks and enhance resilience with Chapter 9's insights into effective risk management practices. Finally, peer into the future and glean actionable recommendations in Chapter 10, shaping your long-term strategy and positioning your business for sustained success. Concluding with a thoughtful reflection in the Conclusion, "Unlocking Opportunities" empowers readers to navigate the complexities of the MENA region with confidence, insight, and foresight. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or embarking on your first venture, this book is your indispensable companion to unlocking the boundless potential of the MENA market.

Download or read book Access to Finance in the Middle East and North Africa written by Ozan Akbas and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Companies in the Middle East and North Africa region continue to have insufficient access to finance, according to the latest round of Enterprise Surveys. The Middle East and North African region's comparatively deep banking sectors are not adept at providing access to finance for a broad cross-section of mainly small and medium-sized companies, according to the 2019 round of Enterprise Surveys. The ability of businesses in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and the West Bank and Gaza to access finance has not improved since the previous survey round in 2013. Data from the surveys also reflect the low aggregate investment rates in the region. The share of firms investing in fixed assets has declined compared to the previous survey round and is now lower than in peer economies. In addition, some 7.5% of firms in the average MENA country have experienced monetary losses due to extreme weather events in the three years preceding the survey. The Enterprise Surveys, conducted by the EIB, EBRD and the World Bank, provide insight into what lies beneath the region's relatively slow growth, with a focus on the reasons for stagnating productivity and inadequate accumulation of human and physical capital in the private sector. This working paper is the first of nine supporting the full report: Unlocking sustainable growth in the Middle East and North Africa private sector.

Download or read book Private Sector Development in the Middle East and North Africa Making Reforms Succeed Moving Forward with the MENA Investment Policy Agenda written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2008-08-19 with total page 316 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Highlights key outcomes of the work of the MENA-OECD Investment Programme from 2005-2007, including reforms achieved to date in investment policies and promotion, corporate governance, financial-sector development, and tax policies.

Download or read book Building on Progress written by International Monetary Fund and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 1996-11-04 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Countries in the Middle East and North Africa region have unprecedented opportunities for transforming their economies through accelerated economic growth, but the countries themselves must ensure the necessary conditions. This study, by the Middle Eastern Department, focuses on four areas that are fundamental to growth-enhancing structural changes: improving the region's investment performance, fiscal reform, financial sector reform, and trade liberalization.

Download or read book Privilege Resistant Policies in the Middle East and North Africa written by Syed Akhtar Mahmood and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2018-02-06 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Renewing the social contract, one of the pillars of the new World Bank Group strategy for the Middle East and North Africa, requires a new development model built on greater trust; openness, transparency, inclusive and accountable service delivery; and a stronger private sector that can create jobs and opportunities for the youth of the region. Recent analytic work trying to explain weak job creation and insufficient private sector dynamism in the region point to formal and informal barriers to entry and competition. These barriers privilege a few (often unproductive) incumbents who enjoy a competition-edge due to their connections or ability to influence policy making and delivery. Policy recommendations to date in the field of governance for private sector policymaking have been too general and too removed from concrete, actionable policy outcomes. This report proposes -for the first time- to fill this policy and operational gap by answering the following question: What good governance features should be instilled in the design of economic policies and institutions to help shield them from capture, discretion and arbitrary implementation? The report proposes an innovative conceptual and measurement framework that encapsulates the governance features that could shield policies from capture, discretion and arbitrary enforcement that limits competition. The report offers a menu of operational and technical entry-points to enhance privilege-resistant policy making in a concrete way, that is politically tractable in different country contexts.