Generating more and better quality jobs with higher productivity probably constitutes the most important challenge the Maghreb countries will face over the next decade. Despite relatively high and sustained economic growth since 2004, employment creation has been insufficient to significantly...

Are there significant differences between the perceptions and labor market experiences of male and female entrepreneurs and workers in Lebanon? Are such differences important to the optimal deployment of females in the workforce? This report approaches these issues empirically through two...

Arab countries, more so than countries in any other region, are extremely vulnerable to food-price shocks. Furthermore, current projections indicate that they will be unable to meet demand with production, which will steadily increase their vulnerability to food-price shocks. There is therefore,...

Financial Management (FM) is a key component in the development process, ensuring accountability and efficiency in the management of public resources and promoting private investment and growth. Middle and North Africa (MNA) FM's focus is on engaging with MNA countries' systems and working...

Impressive results still leave Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with an education gap as compared to the rest of the world. With some exceptions, MENA countries have almost reached full primary education enrollment and increased enrollment in secondary schools almost threefold since 1970, and...

Global and economic aspects of the crisis: two aspects of the current crisis are important to stress. The first is its global nature. As you know, this crisis started last year in the US and European financial markets but spread quickly to developing countries. The second is its economic impact....

Often described as the cradle of civilization, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region boasts rich cultural assets, and is the historical origin of major religions including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This cultural heritage, coupled with the region s rich natural wonders, has made...

While Iraq is a middle-income (IBRD) country it faces significant challenges which are commonly found in low income countries. Its economy also remains dependent on hydrocarbons and revenue from these resources generates over 95 percent of budget revenues. However, this sector employs only one...

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is one of the richest in the world in terms of natural resources. It holds more than 60 percent of the world's proven oil reserves, mostly located in the Gulf region, and nearly half of global gas reserves. Not surprisingly, oil represents close to...

Despite decades of war and instability, Iraq's abundant natural resources, strategic geographic location and cultural history endow it with tremendous potential for growth and diverse economic development. Driven by windfall oil revenues in recent years the Government of Iraq (GoI) has invested...