News
Investing in Youth in Tunisia
Tunisia has made great strides since 2011 towards greater inclusivity and fairness in its political system, based on the rule of law, transparency and good governance. The country now needs to adopt a new growth model to achieve its full potential and cement the democratic transition.
Libyan Crisis Severely Impacts Private Sector: Report
More than three quarters (77%) of enterprises in Libya report to have sustained direct impact since renewed crisis began in the country. Political and economic instability, corruption, and the high occurrence of crimes and theft were the main constraints to growth for Libya’s private sector, according to a recent report by the World Bank Group.
A New Role for Civil Society in Yemen
Yemen has witnessed an increase of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in recent years, their rapid growth reflected in their numbers – there are now more than 8,300 registered CSOs in the country, almost a quarter of them springing up since Yemen’s transition got underway in 2011, as well as many informal groups and networks. The vibrancy and dynamism of these CSOs reflects a long tradition of community solidarity in Yemen, where CSOs have the capacity to mobilize youth and volunteers within local communities.
Enhancing Governance and Strengthening the Regulatory and Institutional Framework for MSMEs Development in Jordan
medium enterprises (MSMEs) are important contributors to total employment and overall economic development. These enterprises can contribute vitally to productivity growth, and thus form a vital focus for emerging economies striving to expand employment. The Government of Jordan has shown strong commitment to support economic recovery and foster job creation.
MENA Transition Fund Supports the Establishment of Special Industrial Zone in Al-Hodeida
A Joint Social and Economic Assessment (JSEA) for Yemen conducted in October 2012 by the World Bank, UNDP, EU and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), highlights the adverse impact of the 2011 political turmoil and the sharp economic contraction on the poverty rate, livelihood and employment prospects. By the end of 2011, the national poverty rate in Yemen increased to 54.5% from the already high level of 42% by end-2009. Unemployment rose from 16% in 2005 to 18.2% in 2010.
Stimulating Business and Employment in Yemen
Yemen is at a crossroads. Two years after the popular unrest led to the ousting of the former President, there is now a coalition government, and the beginnings of a national political transition. March 2013 saw the launch of the National Dialogue Conference (NDC) that brought together political and civil society actors from across the spectrum to formulate a constitution and bring closure not only to the unrest that began in 2011, but to decades of unresolved grievances and conflicts.
Unlocking the potential of young micro-entrepreneurs in Morocco
As you walk through the ancient market in Fes or that of any other medina in Morocco, pass a vibrant hair salon in downtown Casablanca with the feel of a beauty mega-factory, or see young people on a street corner in Rabat waiting to be picked up for a day job in construction, you cannot but be impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit on display. The young people hard at work across the country are part of a huge army of Moroccan youth, many of whom have less than secondary school degrees, stuck in the informal sector with limited opportunities for a good, steady income.
Ensuring governance reform in Morocco is not “lost in transition”
A democratic and social transition is underway following popular demonstrations inspired by the regional “Arab Spring,” calling for more democracy, inclusion and shared prosperity. A central feature of the transition will be the strengthening of Morocco’s governance framework, and it has so far led to the revision of the constitution and to new elections. The new constitution has consecrated the sought after principles of transparency, accountability and participation and introduced new rights to foster a more open mode of governance, such as the right to information and to public consultations