Send Print Tweet

Most countries in the MENA region are heavily dependent on primary production and resource-based sectors, with narrow export bases.

Countries are considering and developing strategies of economic diversification based on inter-sectoral linkages in petrochemical and other industries, the development of agricultural resources and the growth of the services sector -- a process in which foreign direct investment can play a crucial role.

Currently chaired by UAE and the UK, the Working Group on Financial Sector Development and Economic Diversification works toward:

• assessing economic diversification of MENA countries
• developing the financial sector of MENA countries
• improving the policy environment and building capacities for entrepreneurship and SME development

Reference Material

Initiatives

The MENA-OECD Capital Markets Taskforce

 Meetings

• Founding meeting of the Advisory Board to the MENA Centre for Competitiveness, 31 March 2010,  Tunis
• Workshop on Building Awareness of Women’s Entrepreneurship in the MENA Region
• 1st Meeting of the MENA-OECD Enterprise Financing Network - Bahrain - 3rd May 2006
• Promoting Employment and Economic Diversification through Financial Sector and Enterprise Development, September 2005, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia [ Draft agenda ]
• Working Group Four Meeting, 7-8 February 2005, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia [ Meeting conclusions / List of participants ]