دور المشاريع الصغيرة والمتوسطة في مواجهة البطالة فى الدول الخليجية

The aim of this paper is to study small and medium enterprises and their role in employment and job creation in the GCC countries. Population growth rates in all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are at 3% or more, with large numbers of expatriates – in some states, such as the UAE and Qatar, outnumbering locals – creating a disproportionately young population across the GCC. Unaddressed, unemployment could reach 40% for youths aged between 20 and 24, and higher for women. Creating appropriate job opportunities for nationals, and reducing current unemployment, is a critical focus of GCC governments.