Globalization and Firm Competitiveness in the Middle East and North Africa Region

About the MDF The Mediterranean Development Forum (MDF) partnership, which began in 1997, comprises Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region think tanks, the United Nations Development Programme, and the World Bank Institute. The partnership is dedicated to empowering civil society to participate in shaping public policy, making a contribution to the policy debate in key areas of regional interest, improving the quantity and quality of research on economic and social policy issues, and creating vibrant networks of development actors in the region. The partnership promotes activities supporting policy dialogue culminating in a Forum held approximately every two years: A crucial component of the MDF partnership is the Forum because it provides a rare opportunity for top-notch MENA experts, high-level government officials, and civil society representatives to meet and engage in a dialogue to help shape the region's development agenda. The significance of this opportunity to exchange ideas is reflected in the speech of World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn during MDF2: " Peace and opportunity and economic advantage to the broadest number of people comes with the sharing of knowledge, it comes with the sharing of experience, and it comes with a human commitment to make the lives of all of our people better and to give our children the opportunities that they deserve. " MDF1, MDF2, and MDF3 have already played a unique role in the region by providing a venue for open debate on new and cutting-edge issues and by breaking down national and country barriers through participant dialogue during the Forum. In addition, MDF has facilitated the publication of a number of books on issues discussed during the Forum and the creation and support of networks. MDF4 aims to increasingly focus on impact through MDF follow-up activities and networks. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank cannot guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply on the part of the World Bank any judgment of the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. The material in this work is copyrighted. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in …