World Bank - Middle East and North Africa

Economic policies in MENA have often been captured by a few politically connected firms and such capture has undermined private sector growth and job creation. However the prominence of politically connected firms is not specific to MENA, instead it is a common occurrence in the economic life of many low and middle-income countries, some of which have experienced strong growth and achieved high levels of employment. What explains the different outcomes in MENA and other regions? In particular, what lessons can be drawn from a comparison of the experiences of successful East Asian countries where the risk of policy capture by politically connected firms was also present? The comparison highlights the importance of vision, policy design and implementation for ensuring that policies are not captured and achieve their intended objectives.2014-10-27T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-27T04:00:00.000ZPublic Sector Development|Industry|Social Protections and Labor|Finance and Financial Sector Development|Private Sector DevelopmentPublic Sector Corruption & Anticorruption Measures|E-Business|Labor Policies|Microfinance|Small Scale EnterpriseMiddle East and North AfricaAvoiding the pitfalls of industrial policy : building open and effective institutions for private sector development and jobsEnglishMiddle East and North AfricaPublic Sector Development|Industry|Social Protections and Labor|Finance and Financial Sector Development|Private Sector DevelopmentPublic Sector Corruption & Anticorruption Measures|E-Business|Labor Policies|Microfinance|Small Scale Enterprise91705Middle East and North AfricaEnglishBriefMiddle East and North Africa

2014-10-27T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-27T04:00:00.000ZISDSA1041West Bank and GazaRammal,IyadEnglishIntegrated Safeguards Data Sheet (Appraisal Stage) - Additional Financing for Water Supply & Sewage Systems Improvement - P151032Integrated Safeguards Data SheetEnglishWest Bank and Gaza

2014-10-27T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-27T04:00:00.000ZMiddle East and North AfricaMohammad,NadeemEnglishOfficial Documents- Amendment to the Administration Agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Additional Contribution to TF071840AgreementEnglishMiddle East and North Africa

Policies in MENA countries often limit competition and job creation by constraining firm startup and productivity growth. Policies have often been captured by a handful of politically connected firms. This has created privileges rather than a level playing field, undermining competition, the ability of all entrepreneurs to pursue opportunities on an equal footing, and job creation. The proposed solution in this brief is to reform all policies that unduly constrain competition. Achieving and sustaining this reform agenda requires institutions that safeguard competition. Equally important, ensure policy making is transparent and open.2014-10-27T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-27T04:00:00.000ZPublic Sector Development|Social Protections and Labor|Education|Finance and Financial Sector Development|Private Sector DevelopmentEmerging Markets|Microfinance|Public Sector Corruption & Anticorruption Measures|Labor Policies|Knowledge for DevelopmentMiddle East and North AfricaPrivileges instead of jobs : politically connected firms receive generous policy privileges undermining competition and job creationEnglishMiddle East and North AfricaPublic Sector Development|Social Protections and Labor|Education|Finance and Financial Sector Development|Private Sector DevelopmentEmerging Markets|Microfinance|Public Sector Corruption & Anticorruption Measures|Labor Policies|Knowledge for Development91706Middle East and North AfricaEnglishBriefMiddle East and North Africa

2014-10-26T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-26T04:00:00.000ZISR14869IraqDajani,Ibrahim KhalilEnglishIraq - Transport Corridors Project : P131550 - Implementation Status Results Report : Sequence 02Implementation Status and Results ReportEnglishIraq

Much of the current debate around the recent economic crisis in the Arab Republic of Egypt has focused on unemployment. Although unemployment is an important marker of labor market health, the jobs problem in Egypt precedes the recent crisis and is manifested markedly in other labor market metrics. Indeed, the link between growth and unemployment in Egypt is weak, particularly for men. This chapter argues that the reason for this weak link is partly related to decades of flawed industrial policies that have discouraged investment in employment-generating activities. Industrial policies, including those implemented in the mid-2000s, were never focused on mitigating market failures to promote the emergence of fast-growing, high-productivity firms. Instead, they have worked to preserve insider privileges, leading to growth in sectors that are not labor intensive. Policy makers therefore need to look beyond supply-side focused labor market policies to accelerate employment growth.2014-10-24T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-24T04:00:00.000ZSocial Protections and Labor|Health, Nutrition and Population|Macroeconomics and Economic Growth|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentLabor Markets|Labor Policies|Population Policies|Economic Theory & Research|Access to FinanceMiddle East and North AfricaArab Republic of Egypt - More jobs, better jobs : a priority for EgyptEnglishEgypt, Arab Republic ofSocial Protections and Labor|Health, Nutrition and Population|Macroeconomics and Economic Growth|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentLabor Markets|Labor Policies|Population Policies|Economic Theory & Research|Access to Finance88447Egypt, Arab Republic ofEnglishOther Poverty StudyMiddle East and North Africa

In MENA, 50 percent of surveyed firms regard regulatory policy uncertainty as an obstacle and 35 percent as a "severe" or "major" obstacle to their firms' growth. Regulatory uncertainty is perceived as one of the biggest obstacles to growth in MENA, along with competition from the informal sector, access to finance, and macroeconomic uncertainty. This report presents evidence that MENA firms' aversion to regulatory uncertainty is predominantly about discriminatory policy implementation benefiting a few insider firms and creating an uneven playing field among firms.2014-10-24T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-24T04:00:00.000ZIndustry|Social Protections and Labor|Finance and Financial Sector Development|Private Sector DevelopmentMicrofinance|Emerging Markets|Small Scale Enterprise|Labor Markets|Labor PoliciesMiddle East and North AfricaDistorted dynamics : the impact of policies on firm dynamics and job creationEnglishMiddle East and North AfricaIndustry|Social Protections and Labor|Finance and Financial Sector Development|Private Sector DevelopmentMicrofinance|Emerging Markets|Small Scale Enterprise|Labor Markets|Labor Policies91704Middle East and North AfricaEnglishBriefMiddle East and North Africa

This note highlights the main points of discussion and key recommendations during the High-Level Development Exchange and launch of "Djibouti Vision 2035," held from June 20-23, 2014 in Djibouti. The High-Level Development Exchange was organized by the World Bank Group (WBG) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, in charge of industry of Djibouti, under the high patronage of the President of the Republic of Djibouti. This event provided a platform to promote dialogue and share knowledge to develop more efficient policy instruments that are effective in eliminating poverty and enabling a dynamic private sector. It aimed to strengthen Djibouti's capacity to define, through a concerted open dialogue, the path toward achieving more sustainable development and to ensure that growth translates into poverty reduction, jobs, and economic opportunities for the entire population. The purpose of the Exchange was threefold: (i) to launch "Djibouti Vision 2035," the vision for the country’s future; (ii) to share the development experiences of the Republics of Mauritius and Cape Verde, and the emirate of Dubai, with Djibouti; and (iii) to enable the private sector and civil society to engage actively in a dialogue, through a series of round-tables, with the public sector to propose recommendations for Djibouti's next steps towards achieving its twin goals of poverty reduction and inclusive growth.2014-10-24T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-24T04:00:00.000ZPublic Sector Development|Transport|Finance and Financial Sector Development|Private Sector DevelopmentTransport Economics Policy & Planning|E-Business|Emerging Markets|Debt Markets|Public Sector EconomicsMiddle East and North AfricaFoch, Arthur|Vakil, Roya|Fotouhi, Homa-ZahraHigh-level development exchange launch of "Vision Djibouti 2035" : outcome note - June 20-23, 2014EnglishDjiboutiPublic Sector Development|Transport|Finance and Financial Sector Development|Private Sector DevelopmentTransport Economics Policy & Planning|E-Business|Emerging Markets|Debt Markets|Public Sector Economics91695DjiboutiEnglishWorking PaperMiddle East and North Africa

The Middle East and North Africa region faces high unemployment or jobs in low-productivity activities often in the informal economy. The private sector has not generated enough jobs as polices that restrict competition have limited the entry of new firms and prevented more productive firms from growing – the type of firms that create most jobs. These policies are often captured by few politically connected firms and result in privileges instead of an environment that enables all entrepreneurs to grow and prosper. Encourage competition and reform policies that allow a few connected firms to dominate the most lucrative sectors of the economy. Sustaining the reforms requires institutions that promote equal opportunities for all entrepreneurs and transparent and open policy making.2014-10-23T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-23T04:00:00.000ZIndustry|Social Protections and Labor|Health, Nutrition and Population|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentLabor Markets|Microfinance|Small Scale Enterprise|Labor Policies|Population PoliciesMiddle East and North AfricaJobs or privileges : unleashing the employment potential of the Middle East and North AfricaEnglishMiddle East and North AfricaIndustry|Social Protections and Labor|Health, Nutrition and Population|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentLabor Markets|Microfinance|Small Scale Enterprise|Labor Policies|Population Policies91702Middle East and North AfricaEnglishBriefMiddle East and North Africa

Despite efforts to promote growth and significant investments in education
by Arab countries, a large segment of Arab youth continues to remain outside
of the mainstream of economic and social life. Unprecedented changes in
the demography of Jordan (60 percent of the population under 18 years of age) and rapid urbanization (80 percent urban up from 20 percent) over the past 30 years have resulted in a dramatic increase in child poverty and vulnerability.2014-10-23T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-23T04:00:00.000ZGovernance|Urban Development|Health, Nutrition and Population|EducationPrimary Education|Youth and Governance|Education For All|Adolescent Health|Street ChildrenMiddle East and North AfricaJordan - Tackling youth unemployment : building capacity to integrate "at risk" youth into mainstream societyEnglishJordanGovernance|Urban Development|Health, Nutrition and Population|EducationPrimary Education|Youth and Governance|Education For All|Adolescent Health|Street Children91669JordanEnglishBriefMiddle East and North Africa

Most workers are employed in micro firms representing low-productivity, subsistence activities. The private sector has been characterized by low firm turnover – firm entry and exit – and slow productivity growth, limiting the pool of startups and productive firms which create most jobs in MENA. Remove barriers to entry and exit and competition. The targeting of private sector development programs should focus on startups and innovative firms instead of small firms.2014-10-23T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-23T04:00:00.000ZIndustry|Social Protections and Labor|Health, Nutrition and Population|Finance and Financial Sector Development|Private Sector DevelopmentLabor Markets|Microfinance|Small Scale Enterprise|Population Policies|Emerging MarketsMiddle East and North AfricaStartups and innovations wanted : private sector growth and job creationEnglishMiddle East and North AfricaIndustry|Social Protections and Labor|Health, Nutrition and Population|Finance and Financial Sector Development|Private Sector DevelopmentLabor Markets|Microfinance|Small Scale Enterprise|Population Policies|Emerging Markets91703Middle East and North AfricaEnglishBriefMiddle East and North Africa

2014-10-22T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-22T04:00:00.000ZDjiboutiRouhana,SalimEnglishDjibouti - Second Urban Poverty Reduction Project (PREPUD II) : P145848 - Implementation Status Results Report : Sequence 01Implementation Status and Results ReportEnglishDjibouti

2014-10-22T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-22T04:00:00.000ZMiddle East and North AfricaAbdel Aziz,TeymourEnglishMiddle East and North Africa - MNXTA: Enhancing Microfinance Amongst Women and Youth in MENA : P144655 - Implementation Status Results Report : Sequence 03Implementation Status and Results ReportEnglishMiddle East and North Africa

In Morocco the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the government are working to improve public administration, making it leaner, more focused, and more efficient in the delivery of social services. Through the program, Morocco's administrative tradition is evolving from strict and bureaucratic legal compliance to a search for better performance and more effective public service. Since 2002, the government has implemented a comprehensive Public Administration Reform Support Program (PARP). To support the PARP the Bank has prepared a series of programmatic development policy loans with four medium-term objectives: a) improve government efficiency in budget management; b) improve government efficiency in human resources management; c) consolidate and control the public payroll; and d) improve service delivery and simplify public procedures through e-government. This last component was added in the second PARP series following government introduction in 2007 of e-governance as a core element of its reform agenda. The main characteristic of Bank support to the PARP has been the continuous combination of programmatic development policy loans and programmatic advisory and analytical activities. Both actions have been reinforcing each other and have provided the momentum for continuous progress. Through the loans provided under the PARP, IBRD has provided: US$100 million under the first phase, US$120 million under the second, US$100 million through the third phase, and US$100 million under the fourth.2014-10-22T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-22T04:00:00.000ZPublic Sector Development|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentPublic Sector Corruption & Anticorruption Measures|Public Sector Economics|Debt Markets|E-Government|Public Sector Management and ReformMiddle East and North AfricaMorocco - Improving public administration performance : Morocco's civil service boosts efficiency, adopts e-governmentEnglishMoroccoPublic Sector Development|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentPublic Sector Corruption & Anticorruption Measures|Public Sector Economics|Debt Markets|E-Government|Public Sector Management and Reform91729MoroccoEnglishBriefMiddle East and North Africa

The purpose of the proposed restructuring of the Participatory Service Delivery for Reintegration Project for Tunisia is to extend the closing date of the project for 12 months from March 31, 2014 until March 31, 2015. The proposed extension is necessary to make up for the nearly 6-month lag between project approval and effectiveness. The program encompasses the financing of sub-projects focusing on meeting social needs by improving service delivery at the local level. The project contributes to: (i) fostering social cohesion and stabilization among disadvantaged populations following the January 2011 revolution; and (ii) mitigating the socioeconomic risks faced by Tunisian returnees fleeing Libyan civil strife and by Tunisian communities near the border with Libya affected by depressed cross-border trade and commerce. The target number of beneficiaries (4000) has been exceeded, reaching approximately 4,200 beneficiaries as of December 1, 2013; therefore, the project objectives continue to be achievable.2014-10-22T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-22T04:00:00.000ZPublic Sector Development|Communities and Human Settlements|Social Development|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentHousing & Human Habitats|Bankruptcy and Resolution of Financial Distress|Social Accountability|Country Strategy & Performance|Public Sector Corruption & Anticorruption MeasuresMiddle East and North AfricaTunisia - Participatory Service Delivery for Reintegration ProjectEnglishTunisiaPublic Sector Development|Communities and Human Settlements|Social Development|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentHousing & Human Habitats|Bankruptcy and Resolution of Financial Distress|Social Accountability|Country Strategy & Performance|Public Sector Corruption & Anticorruption MeasuresRES13680TunisiaEnglishProject PaperMiddle East and North Africa

This proposal for the World Bank Group's forthcoming engagement during the period FY2015-16 has been developed jointly by International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the World Bank. Prolonged conflict and deep-seated uncertainty has required the World Bank to rely on occasional interim strategy notes rather than medium-term partnership strategies and frameworks. In the highly unpredictable operating environment, institution strengthening to build the foundation of a strong Palestinian administration has been central to the Bank's program, while IFC has focused on the development of the financial and infrastructure sectors. The Bank has been assisting the Palestinian territories since 1994, with assistance financed from International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD's) net income, with each transfer requiring the approval of the Board of Governors. The assistance strategy will balance short-term stabilization and reconstruction activities with operations that serve as platforms for maintaining continuous dialogue with the Palestinian authority (PA) and donors. The strategy outlined is aligned with the Palestinian National Development Plan (2014-16) and the experience with the Bank group's previous (FY2012-14) interim strategy. The first pillar remains centered on strengthening public institutions for state building and improving service delivery. The second pillar continues to be focused on private sector development with an added emphasis on increasing employment opportunities (through supporting reforms that encourage job creation in the private sector). The development of this strategy has been informed by upstream discussions with various parts of the PA, private sector representatives, civil society, and with donor partners.2014-10-17T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-17T04:00:00.000ZPublic Sector Development|Environment|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentBanks & Banking Reform|Access to Finance|Environmental Economics & Policies|Debt Markets|Public Sector Corruption & Anticorruption MeasuresMiddle East and North AfricaWest Bank and Gaza - Country assistance strategy for the period FY2015-16EnglishWest Bank and GazaPublic Sector Development|Environment|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentBanks & Banking Reform|Access to Finance|Environmental Economics & Policies|Debt Markets|Public Sector Corruption & Anticorruption Measures89503West Bank and GazaEnglishCountry Assistance Strategy DocumentMiddle East and North Africa

2014-10-21T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-21T04:00:00.000ZYemenMwenda,Edith RuguruEnglishOfficial Documents- Administratiaon Arrangement with DFID for TF072001Trust Fund Administrative AgreementEnglishYemen

2014-10-21T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-21T04:00:00.000ZPIDA8595LebanonSarraf,MariaEnglishProject Information Document (Appraisal Stage) - LB: PCB Management in the Power Sector Project - P122540Project Information DocumentEnglishLebanon

The aims of the Electric Utility Management Project (EUMP) are to improve the performance of the Palestinian power sector through development of new transmission and distribution systems and institutional strengthening of Palestinian Energy Authority (PEA) and regional distribution companies. Negative environmental impacts include: increase in erosion during site preparation and the excavations of foundations; increased erosion along slope areas; compacting of the soil; pollution caused by waste produced during construction; interference with natural drainage and flow of perennial and seasonal rivers; destruction of vegetation in the area to be cleared for installations of substations and in the corridor to be developed under the power line; loss of sensitive habitats; relocation of residents and their dwellings; loss of access to land; disruption to traffic and pedestrian access; presence of non-resident labor and their temporary camps; public and occupational safety; loss of agricultural land; and loss of crops, harvests and fruit trees. Mitigation measures includes: (i) separate and remove or maintain the integrity of the topsoil (A horizon) to at least a depth of 20 cm. The separate removal, storage, and replacement of the topsoil and subsoil (lower horizons) ensure the preservation of the edaphic characteristics of the soil profile, and hence continued soil productivity; (ii) increasing the water retention capacity of soils, decreasing the volume and speed of superficial run-off and training of slopes (through installation of support structures); (iii) after completion of the construction phase, affected soils, should be ploughed and ripped; (iv) construction sites, warehouses and temporary base camps should be kept clean, in order to avoid possible fires; (v) although vegetation can be removed mechanically, it is preferable to use manual labor, especially near the riverbanks and steep slope areas; and (vi) no clearance of vegetation will be permitted within a minimum distance of 15 m from the highest level reached by the waters in rivers and other watercourses.2014-10-20T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-20T04:00:00.000ZEnergy|Water Resources|Environment|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentEnvironmental Economics & Policies|Wetlands|Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases|Energy Production and Transportation|Banks & Banking ReformMiddle East and North AfricaNorconsult;Environmental and social management plan for Nablus sub-stationEnglishWest Bank and GazaEnergy|Water Resources|Environment|Finance and Financial Sector DevelopmentEnvironmental Economics & Policies|Wetlands|Climate Change Mitigation and Green House Gases|Energy Production and Transportation|Banks & Banking ReformE1856West Bank and GazaEnglishEnvironmental AssessmentMiddle East and North Africa

2014-10-19T04:00:00.000Z2014-10-19T04:00:00.000ZJordanNasr,Sahar AhmedEnglishJordan - MSME Development Project for Inclusive Growth : P132314 - Implementation Status Results Report : Sequence 03Implementation Status and Results ReportEnglishJordan