Competitiveness and Private Sector Development New Entrepreneurs and High Performance Enterprises in the Middle East and North Africa

Fostering high growth enterprises is key to employment creation, productivity, and economic growth. This report assesses the current policy context for young enterprises in the Middle East and North Africa Region and outlines policy tools and instruments, both indirect and direct, that governments can implement to support new enterprise development. The book provides a balanced review of the arguments for and against an active government policy to support high-growth enterprises while recognizing that the implementation of policies to support these enterprises depends on the specific circumsta. Read more... Cover Table of Contents Acronyms and glossary of terms E G H I L M N O P S R W Executive summary Chapter 1. Making the case for high growth enterprises The MENA region faces daunting challenges for income and employment creation The promotion of entrepreneurship and SME development is an important instrument to address the region's challenges Making the case for high growth enterprises The analysis of high-impact firms in the MENA region Notes Bibliography Annex 1.A1. Facts and statistics on the importance of SMEs and entrepreneurship across countries. Chapter 2. Enterprise development and entrepreneurship in the MENA regionIntroduction Concepts and terminology Enterprise prevalence in different stages of the business life course Tables 2.1. Global groups in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Figures 2.1. Enterprise prevalence in MENA is generally lower than in other emerging economies and is skewed towards nascent and mature firms 2.2. Enterprise prevalence in North West Africa is similar to that of other emerging economies Sectors of economic activity in the different stages of the business life course. 2.3. Firms in business services activities appear to be under-represented in MENA compared to high-income countriesThe prevalence of firms with "high potential" 2.4. Firms employing staff with high technical skills may face hurdles to their survival between the infant and young stages, but mature firms represent a higher proportion than in other country groups 2.5. The proportion of firms expecting to have an impact in their markets is significantly higher than in all other regions at all stages of the business life course. 2.6. The share of firms which expect growth in employment are similar in MENA to other emerging economy groups2.7. The share of firms expecting job growth is significantly higher in Gulf countries than in other MENA economies 2.8. There is a significant larger share of firms oriented towards tourism and foreign markets in MENA than in other emerging countries Key features of MENA entrepreneurs 2.9. Opportunity-driven entrepreneurial activity is higher in MENA than in other emerging economies. 2.10. MENA has fewer women entrepreneurs than other emerging and low-income countries, but within the region there are more women entrepreneurs leading enterprises in the earlier business stages than more established enterprises2.11. The share of women leading nascent firms is higher in the North West Africa sub region than in the other MENA sub regions 2.2. Ratios of male/female activity rates in the labour force and in entrepreneurial activity 2.12. Across all the regional groups, the share of older entrepreneurs is higher in mature firms. Fostering high growth enterprises is key to employment creation, productivity, and economic growth. This report assesses the current policy context for young enterprises in the Middle East and North Africa Region and outlines policy tools and instruments, both indirect and direct, that governments can implement to support new enterprise development. The book provides a balanced review of the arguments for and against an active government policy to support high-growth enterprises while recognizing that the implementation of policies to support these enterprises depends on the specific circumstances and capacities of individual governments. The Book Assesses The Current Policy Context For Young Enterprises In The Mena Region And Outlines Policy Tools And Instruments, Both Indirect And Direct, That Governments Can Implement To Support New Enterprise Development.