Blog - Center for International Private Enterprise

From Frank’s Taxi Backseat: Lessons on Ghana — Part 2

Read Part 1 of this series. "So, sir, married or thinking of it?" Frank asked me. He seemed shocked by my negative response. But after I had proferred a few reasons why, he became more understanding. However, I did not expect my responses to prompt the conversation to take the turn that it did: ...

The Arab League and the New Middle East

Last month, leaders from across the Middle East and North Africa were invited to Baghdad for a glitzy three-day Arab League summit meeting, their first in two years. Many of the changes of the Arab Spring were unforeseen, however, and it is becoming very clear what the aspirations of the people are...

Why local institutions matter to international property markets

Property rights are one of the most fundamental building blocks of market economies - and development. At the most basic level, they provide secure possession of essentials that all of us need to survive: a physical shelter, means to earn a living, etc. But property rights matter in other, broader...

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Region

Until a few years ago, lack of proper legislation hindered the participation of Pakistani women in business. The outdated 1961 Trade Organizations Ordinance was no longer compatible with the modern business environment and did not reflect the true voice of entrepreneurs, especially women who could n...

Women’s Empowerment in Kosovo

Kosovo, Europe's youngest democracy, is striving to become a regional leader in women's empowerment. The country's legal framework ensures gender equality in both the constitution and in labor laws. Moreover, Kosovo boasts a female president, two female Deputy Prime Ministers, and a quota for femal...

The Youth Struggle to Participate in Egypt’s Transition

Watch a video of Seif discussing the motivations of the youth revolution and Egypt’s future. Nearly 14 months after the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, Egypt has reached a point of reckoning. Over the next few months, Egyptians are scheduled to write and adopt a constitution and elect their fir...

From Frank’s Taxi Backseat: Lessons on Ghana Part 1

Taxi drivers' opinions usually make for reliable surveys. They run the cities - literally. So, to get a better sense of a town, or city, or region - to better discern the noise behind the noise - I'll recommend the opinions of cab drivers. It's an approach that has consistently stood me in good st...

Proud to Pay

Today, April 17, is the deadline for those of us in the U.S. to file our taxes. This morning I awoke to the following topical comment on Twitter: @Jenbo1: I was positive that today would be a cranky day, and then I remembered it's tax day! We take care of each other en masse today. #proudtopay�...

Making public procurement in Kosovo more transparent

Pubic procurement on average accounts for 14 to 20% of countries' GDP, which translates into a massive amount of spending on the global scale. In principle, procurement funds are supposed to go to crucial social investments such as infrastructure or education. However, public procurement commonly is...

Property Rights, Democracy, and Development

Since the publication of Hernando de Soto’s landmark book The Mystery of Capital in 2000, the link between property rights and economic development, especially for the world’s poor, has become increasingly well understood. More recently, the events of the Arab Spring have thrown the rela...