Constraintson Growth in the MENA Region

Author/Editor:

Rina Bhattacharya ; Hirut Wolde

Publication Date:

February 1, 2010

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

In this paper we contribute to the empirical literature on growth in the MENA region by attempting to quantify the impact of the various constraints faced by local businesses highlighted by the World Bank’s Business Enterprise surveys. To the best of our knowledge this dataset has not been used in any empirical analysis looking at the main constraints on growth in the MENA region. Our empirical results suggest that the key direct constraints to growth in the MENA region are difficulties in access to finance, labor skill mismatches and shortages, and electricity constraints.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2010/030

Subject:

Frequency:

Monthly

English

Publication Date:

February 1, 2010

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451962574/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2010030

Pages:

22

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