Fostering an Entrepreneurial Business Environment for Firm Creation and Sme Growth in the Mena Region

In line with the priorities set by the OECD Bologna Process on SME & Entrepreneurship Policies and the Istanbul Ministerial Declaration (June 2004), the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Local Development (CFE) participates actively in Working Group 4 of the MENA-OECD Investment Initiative on Investment and Governance for Development through Output 3: “Improving the Policy Environment and Building Capacities for Entrepreneurship and SME Development”. The present draft report is a contribution to Output 3. The report was prepared by a Consultant, Mr. Charles-Albert Michalet, Professor Emeritus of Economics and Director of the International Relations Institute at Paris-Dauphine University, in close co-operation with the CFE/SME and Entrepreneurship Division and with inputs from Professor Paul Reynolds, Director, Entrepreneurship Research Institute, Florida International University. It is based on a literature review and limited survey findings.