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Background and Overview
The Middle East and North Africa extends some 7,000 miles
from Morocco to Iran. Within this area are 19 countries
whose political and economic cultures, while not homogeneous,
share a heritage shaped by Islamic, Arab, Persian, Ottoman,
and European rule. Political and economic developments
vary greatly from country to country but also share
common features. The national economic systems in the
region are either statist or mixed economies. The political
systems run the gamut from full authoritarian regimes
to emerging democracies.
Many countries in the region suffer from weak economies,
illiteracy, and high unemployment—a situation
that particularly affects the burgeoning young population,
which feels increasingly marginalized and disillusioned
with government. While structural reforms have somewhat
lessened the role of the state in the economy, there
is a sense of unbridled and unrestricted commerce in
the region, which is often referred to as the bazaar
or souk economy. Though a number of countries are seeking
to enter the global economy by adopting market-opening
reforms, they often lack the self-correcting market
mechanisms and institutions necessary to create modern
economies.
Over the past year, an internal movement towards political,
economic, and social reform has begun throughout the
region. These reform movements are in various stages
of development. Pressure to reform, however, is not
only coming from external forces, internal intellectual
movements, or opposition parties, but also from the
reality of increasing poverty and unemployment, which
have become serious problems. In addition, conflicting
economic policies are limiting investment opportunities
throughout the region. A vision of reform exists, but
often society does not have the confidence, expertise,
or information about how to pursue it. Reformists see
political reform in the form of public participation
in policymaking as a catalyst to economic and educational
reform.
CIPE’s 2006 strategy builds upon the momentum from internal
reform efforts in the region through strategic partnerships
with business associations, economic policy institutes,
and economic journalists. Pressures to join the WTO,
engage in free trade agreements, and other international
institutions provide a platform for local business groups
to advocate for institutional reform.
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Programs and Resources
- Reform Success Stories from MENA (English, Arabic)
Video clips of partner success stories
- Prosperity Papers Series ( in Arabic)
Economic Roundtables
Anti- corruption
- Economic Reform Feature Service: "Business Principles Countering
Bribery in the Middle East and North Africa" (English, Arabic)
- Combating Corruption Toolkit (Arabic)
Business Associations
- Egyptian Junior Business Association National Business Agenda
for Egypt (English, Arabic)
- National Business Agenda Guidebook
(English, Arabic)
Additional Resources
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