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ACTIVE WITH

MENATHE MIDDLE AND NORTH THE AND AND THE OECD: a mutually beneficial partnership

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a diverse whose development potential has yet to be fully unleashed. Despite current geopolitical challenges, in the region benefit from a privileged geographic location situated at the crossroads of , Africa and ; a young and increasingly educated population; and great potential in sectors such as renewable energies, manufacturing, tourism, and business development services. Over the past decades, MENA countries have implemented reforms to increase economic openness, diversification and private sector development. Those reforms initially led to increased investment, and ; but they were also incomplete and did not fully tackle broader structural economic and social issues. There is a need for more comprehensive reforms aimed at adopting inclusive and models that offer better opportunities for all, notably for the young generation and for women. The transformation process remains unfinished and there is a continued demand from society for effective change. Developments such as the decrease in hydrocarbon prices accentuate the necessity of structural reforms in some countries, while it offers a window of opportunity to others. More importantly, conflict and the crisis stress the need to regain stability, initiate reconstruction and provide opportunities for immigrant and host populations alike. The OECD is actively engaged in supporting MENA countries in the design and implementation of ambitious reform agendas. The strong cultural and economic ties shared by MENA and OECD countries are the foundations of a decade-long partnership with the region. Building on internationally recognised tools, standards and work methods, this partnership has pioneered policy dialogue, peer learning and capacity building at the regional and levels. It has focused on investment, public and corporate governance, decentralisation, transparency, integrity, SMEs and entrepreneurship, among other issues. The MENA-OECD partnership has also fostered greater participation of non-governmental voices such as and private sector representatives. It has also benefitted from increased co-ordination among international organisations, development banks and other multilateral institutions. At the centre of the partnership is the MENA-OECD Initiative on Governance and Competitiveness for Development, launched in 2005 as a platform for joint work at the regional and country levels. With an extended mandate for 2016-2020, the fruitful and intense MENA-OECD co-operation will continue evolving to adapt to the development priorities of the region. Over the five years our partnership will prioritise strategic areas including regional integration as a natural step for a better participation in the economy and global value chains; nurturing sustainable and inclusive economic growth; strengthening governance; strengthening stability, peace and security; and importantly, fostering the participation of youth and women in the economy and public life. The partnership will further align our work with global efforts such as those reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The OECD is proud of its ten years of co-operation with the region, and this brochure testifies to the scope and depth of our work together. In this challenging time, the OECD is committed to working even more closely with MENA economies to bring better policies for better lives and inclusive growth across the region. ANGEL GURRÍA, OECD Secretary-General CONTENTS Contents

THE OECD AND THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 2 PUBLIC AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 41 The MENA-OECD Initiative on Governance and Strengthening the rule of law 42 Competitiveness for Development 5 Strengthening integrity and accountable governance 43 Support for Improvement in Governance and Building open and innovative 45 Management (SIGMA) 10 Risk management 47 The Deauville Partnership 11 Raising the bar on corporate governance of private The Country Programme 13 and state-owned enterprises 48 Promoting effective development co-operation 14 INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION 49 A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH AGENDA 18 Building a knowledge economy 50 Implementing structural reforms for economic Supporting SME development and entrepreneurship 51 diversification and sustainable and inclusive growth 19 Fostering investment and public service Building resilience in post-conflict situations 21 delivery through public-private partnerships 52 Enhancing youth skills, employability and inclusion 23 Tackling gender inequality 25 ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY 54 Fostering skills through education and training 27 Promoting green growth 55 Fostering regional development, sustainable cities Combating change 57 and urbanisation 28 Improving water governance 58 Increasing agricultural productivity and security 29 Ensuring access to reliable and clean energy 59

SMOOTH FUNCTIONING OF MARKETS 30 ANNEXES 61 Enhancing the investment environment 31 Participation in OECD bodies and intergovernmental Promoting trade and integration in global value chains 32 activities 61 Fostering sound competition 34 Adherence to OECD legal instruments 62 Improving financial education 35 Participation in initiatives and networks 63 Dialogue and data 63 BUDGETING, REVENUE COLLECTION AND EXPENDITURE 36 Improving revenue collection and fiscal management 37 Enhancing tax transparency and compliance 38 Strengthening budgeting and public procurement 39

CONTENTS . 1 THE OECD AND THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 2 . ACTIVE WITH MENA THE OECD AND MENA

For millennia the MENA region has contributed to the historical, scientific and cultural progress of humanity. It is home to a youthful and dynamic population, holds a significant share of the world’s energy resources, and has the potential to boost trade and investment links around the world. The region also faces well-known challenges such as low economic diversification, an imperative need to improve education systems and infrastructure, complex political and governance scenarios and persistently high barriers to the economic and social wellbeing of important sections of society. The fragile and unstable situation in several MENA countries and the geopolitical tensions in the region have added to the complexity and urgency to addressing those challenges in a sustainable manner.

The OECD is actively engaged with MENA partners in addressing those challenges through well-proven work methods of regional dialogue, peer- learning and support for reforms.

THE OECD AND THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA . 3 4 . ACTIVE WITH MENA The MENA-OECD Initiative on Governance and Competitiveness for Development

The Initiative facilitates co-operation between the OECD Competitiveness Programme, and is governed by a and the MENA region to promote policies for sustainable steering group providing strategic guidance. and inclusive growth. It regional needs and development priorities, including the integration of The Initiative adopts a horizontal approach to high-level women and youth through jobs and greater participation dialogue and consensus building with working level in policymaking. It also takes into account the region’s assistance, analysis and capacity building diversity by providing targeted support to individual through specialised policy networks. It deepens its impact countries. The Initiative builds on the OECD’s work method through co-operation with regional and international of policy dialogue, exchange of good practices and partners and aligns its efforts with other international capacity building for the implementation of reforms. platforms.

Created at the request of MENA countries, the Initiative The mandate to 2020 of the Initiative focuses on: brings together MENA and OECD governments, the international community, civil society and the private l Supporting regional economic integration to reduce sector. The Initiative is composed of two pillars, the MENA- economic fragmentation and facilitate countries’ OECD Governance Programme and the MENA-OECD integration into global value chains (GVCs).

MENA-OECD INITIATIVE

Steering group (chairs: , and )

Governance Programme Competitiveness Programme Public sector reforms for quality More and better investment and private services, inclusive policy making sector development for inclusive and and transparency sustainable growth

Co-operation with regional/ Regional and national support Co-operation with international international partners through initiatives AfDB, The League of Arab States; A) Policy assessment Deauville Partnership; SIGMA; European Commission; WB, IMF; AMF; B) Policy dialogue Open Partnership; UNDP; etc. C) Policy advice and capacity building DAC-Arab providers of development co-operation; etc.

THE OECD AND THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA . 5 The MENA-OECD Initiative on Governance and Competitiveness for Development

l Fostering shared and inclusive economic growth through l Advancing the development of countries in a fragile or policies to support decentralisation, greater investment in conflict situation through the sharing of knowledge, good infrastructure, economic diversification, productivity and practices, and support in reform implementation. greater inclusion of women and youth. The Initiative covers , , , , , l Strengthening the Initiative’s linkages with the wider , , , , , Morocco, , development agenda through global initiatives such Palestinian Authority, , , Tunisia, United as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Arab and . deepened partnerships with regional and international organisations. www.oecd.org/mena

L Participants in the Steering Group of the MENA-OECD Initiative on Governance and Competitiveness for Development, 9 2015, , Morocco.

6 . ACTIVE WITH MENA THE OECD AND MENA 7 . “The OECD is very engaged in promoting in promoting very engaged OECD is “The the development and stability of the region.MENA Sweden supports the Competitiveness Programme MENA-OECD it since 2011.and has co-chaired It is that with pride and honour that I can say on policy builds which this Programme, and analysis expert advice dialogue, is a networks, within dedicated regional “Tunisia is going through a determining going through is “Tunisia has engaged period of its history and political of in an important process of the 4th co-chairmanship The transition. Initiative mandate of the MENA-OECD our country constitutes (2016-2020) by recognition political signal and a strong in terms leadership regional Tunisia’s of in particular regarding of public policies, THE OECD AND THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA AND EAST MIDDLE THE AND OECD THE Tunisia , of Development, Investment and International Investment , Minister of Development, delkefi business climate improvement. Tunisia has engaged a number has engaged Tunisia business climate improvement. policies, investment to develop better reforms and of reflections investment foreign more attract entrepreneurship, encourage its competitiveness their quality to strengthen and improve flows will culminate co-operation strengthened jobs.This and create Initiative’s of the MENA-OECD in with the organisation towill allow which ministerial meeting on 3-4 October 2016, and sustainablediscuss the policies needed to support inclusive region”. whole the country and the for growth Fadhel Ab Fadhel Cooperation Ambassador of Sweden to the OECD, co-chair of the MENA- the OECD, to of Sweden , Ambassador Markovic Annika Programme OECD Competitiveness front-runner in addressing key policy areas. Those areas include areas Those key policy areas. in addressing front-runner women and the rights of and trade, investment It is integrity. and business employment productive in society, in of civil society organisations also dedicated to strengthening inclusive and sustainable development.” support of resilient, “At a time when MENA countries are are countries MENA when a time “At political and economic challenges, facing Programme Governance the MENA-OECD is delivering on the needs and demands and citizens in the governments of region. than ten Building on more with of experience and aligned years the Sustainable Development Goals, will 2016-2020 our new mandate for “Tunisia looks forward to taking over the to taking over looks forward “Tunisia Initiative of the MENA-OECD presidency and Competitiveness on Governance is proudly Tunisia development.for of the aware assuming this mission, of chair As it represents.responsibilities dedicated we are pillar, governance the the between new synergies to creating favouring and countries of the region leverage the power of the MENA-OECD Governance networks networks Governance of the MENA-OECD the power leverage such implementation assistance in crucial areas to provide and rule of law government, open gender equality, youth, as Spain has been a supporter of the MENA- delivery. service since the beginning and invites Programme OECD Governance in partnership all OECD Member States to join the strategic region.” in the MENA governance good fostering the sharing of good practices on key public governance issues governance on key public good practices the sharing of The growth. and inclusive integration regional to improve moment at a timely of this Initiative chairmanship of structural in a range has committed to engage Tunisia where to citizens’ aspirations to respond efforts and deploys reforms better integration and responsibility, transparency more for growth.” sharing of the fruits of opportunities and a fairer , Ambassador of Spain to the OECD, co-chair of the MENA- José the OECD, of Spain to , Ambassador Ignacio Wert Programme OECD Governance , Minister of Public Service and Governance Tunisia Briki ServiceAbid , Minister of Public and Governance The MENA-OECD Initiative on Governance and Competitiveness for Development

The MENA-OECD GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME supports machinery of government, gender equality, local government public sector reforms in view of unlocking social and and rule of law. Those activities tackle youth inclusion as a and of meeting citizens’ growing cross-cutting theme. The Governance Programme engages expectations in terms of quality services, inclusive policy policy makers, civil society, independent institutions and making and transparency. . It also contributes to multilateral initiatives such as the Governance Pillar of the Deauville Partnership The Governance Programme is a strategic partnership to for Arab Countries in Transition and the Open Government share knowledge and expertise with a view to disseminating Partnership. standards and principles of good governance and promoting trust and inclusive growth. Its regional and country-specific www.oecd.org/mena/governance activities focus on open and inclusive government, efficient www.tcmenaoecd.org/en

MENA-OECD MENA-OECD MENA-OECD Civil Society Governance Governance Advisory Board Programme Programme Training Centre of Caserta GOVERNANCE

Working Group Working Group MENA Senior Working Group Women on Civil Service on Open and Budget Officals on Regulatory in Government and Integrity Innovative Network Reform Platform Government

To support the dissemination of good practices and build capacities in the public sector, the OECD and the Italian National School of Administration (SNA) established the MENA-OECD Governance Programme Training Centre of Caserta in 2012. The mission of the Centre is to provide training courses to support the public administrations of the Arab countries and to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector and the principles of good governance. The MENA-OECD Governance Centre is officially part of the Action Plan on Open Governance and Anticorruption of the Deauville Partnership for Arab Countries in Transition (Governance Pillar). The Centre co-operates closely with other regional training institutes, such as the Arab Administrative Development Organisation (ARADO) of the State of and GIFT-MENA. The Centre is also part of the OECD Global Network of Schools of Government.

8 . ACTIVE WITH MENA THE OECD AND MENA

The MENA-OECD COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAMME investment and trade while considering interconnections contributes to improved business environments for with and effects upon local economies, for instance more and better investment and the development of the through global value chains. The Competitiveness private sector as an engine of sustainable and inclusive Programme’s activities also mainstream gender and youth economic growth. elements in policymaking processes. Its work contributes to the efforts of the Deauville Partnership for Arab The Competitiveness Programme is based on an open and Countries in Transition, -Mediterranean industrial co- participative platform engaging governments, private sector operation and other initiatives. representatives, donor agencies, international organisations and experts. Its activities promote greater international www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness

MENA-OECD Competitiveness Programme COMPETITIVENESS

Working Group Working Group Working Group Business Network Taskforce on Investment on SMEs and on Corporate Advisory on Women’s on Economic and Trade Entrepreneurship Governance Board Economic Resilience in Fragile Empowerment Situations

Business Integrity Network

THE OECD AND THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA . 9 Support for Improvement in Governance and Management (SIGMA)

SIGMA is a joint initiative of the OECD and the European structural reforms for increased living standards in society. Union to provide support for strengthening public SIGMA works towards building the capacities of the public administrations and implementing governance reforms in sector, enhancing horizontal governance and improving EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood countries, including the design and implementation of public administration Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia. reforms, including proper prioritisation, sequencing and budgeting. SIGMA co-ordinates closely with the MENA-OECD Good governance and a well-functioning public Governance Programme. administration are essential in building and sustaining trust in government and in creating the necessary www.sigmaweb.org

Strategic framework Policy of public administration development reform and co-ordination

Public financial Public service management, SIGMA and public resource procurement management and external audit

Service delivery Accountability

10 . ACTIVE WITH MENA THE OECD AND MENA 11 . THE OECD AND THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA AND EAST MIDDLE THE AND OECD THE engagement, creation, SME development, financial financial SME development, job creation, engagement, the G7 It involves empowerment. women inclusion and Transition Countries in Arab with , countries together Partner Yemen), and Tunisia Morocco, Libya, Jordan, (Egypt, and the Arabia, Saudi Qatar, Countries (Kuwait, and international organisations, Emirates) Arab United and the international financial including the OECD Fund Transition MENA The in the region. institutions active grants provide to Partnership set up in 2012 under the was support the implementation of to co-operation for technical ACTs. in reforms and country-owned home-grown Deauville Partnership Senior Officials Conference on “Economic Governance,” OECD Headquarters, , 6 2015. May France, Paris OECD Headquarters, “EconomicGovernance,” on Deauville Senior Partnership Officials Conference The Deauville Partnership was launched in 2011 as an launched was DeauvillePartnership The the then G8 to support by international effort sponsored and economic countries in their democratic MENA years, these Over Spring. Arab the following transitions in a forum for co-operation provided has the Partnership society civil governance, good including areas, policy several The Deauville Partnership is a multilateral platform platform Deauville Partnership is a multilateral The political support and financial providing Arab to the six Libya, Jordan, Egypt, (ACTs): in transition countries and Yemen. Tunisia Morocco, Countries Countries in Transition The Deauville Partnership for Arab Arab Partnership Deauville for The L The Deauville Partnership for Arab Countries in Transition

The OECD has played a significant role in the Deauville “The G7 Deauville Partnership is a Partnership from its early stages. On the one hand, the unique platform for dialogue between OECD has supported successive G7 presidencies in the Arab Countries in Transition, G7 formulation of policy priorities for the Partnership building members, regional partners and relevant on the expertise and networks of the MENA-OECD Initiative international organisations. Despite the on Governance and Competitiveness and on the SIGMA significant challenges confronting the Initiative. Most recently, the OECD worked with the 2015 region, the Partnership has accompanied German Presidency to prepare the Compact for Economic MENA countries in their reform efforts Governance, a strategic document laying down a policy to build stable, prosperous and inclusive economies. Since framework for reform efforts in priority areas, namely 2011, the Partnership has mobilised, including through the macroeconomic stability and structural reforms, public Transition Fund, political and financial support for reforms sector efficiency, private sector development, and inclusive aimed at enhancing macroeconomic stability and promoting policy-making. The OECD is currently working with Tunisia good governance, job creation, economic diversification and and Egypt as pilot countries for the development of country- social cohesion. The OECD is a key partner of this in this tailored implementation plans under the Compact. important endeavour. The Organisation, under the co- ordination of the Sherpa and Global Governance Unit, has The OECD is one of the main sources of hands-on policy contributed to stimulate policy dialogue through initiatives advice and technical co-operation under the MENA such as the Compact for Economic Governance. Moreover, Transition Fund, with the implementation of 20 projects building on the experience and best practices at the OECD as supporting reforms in areas such as tax and domestic well as its instruments and standards, our projects under the resource mobilisation, good governance and rule of law, MENA Transition Fund are making a decisive contribution women and youth economic and political participation, to promoting good and open governance, fairer and more investment, SME development, and job creation. Several of transparent tax systems, a more conducive environment for these projects are implemented jointly with IFIs including investment and SME development, and greater participation the and the IFC, the Islamic Development Bank, of women in policy-making, just to mention a few examples. the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, and These initiatives attest to the OECD’s commitment to working the . with our Deauville partners to deliver better policies for better lives across the region.” Gabriela Ramos, OECD Chief of Staff and Sherpa to the G20

www.menatransitionfund.org

12 . ACTIVE WITH MENA THE OECD AND MENA 13 . THE OECD AND THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA AND EAST MIDDLE THE AND OECD THE I welcome the strengthening of our co-operation and I hope of our co-operation welcome the strengthening I Angel Gurría, BenkiraneAngel with Abdelilah of Morocco , Head of the Government of Morocco BenkiraneAbdelilah , Head of the Government www.oecd.org/newsroom/oecd-strengthens-co-operation-with- moroccosigns-morocco-country-programme-agreement.htm L economic and national and local levels and consolidate our and sustainable inclusive stronger, plan to achieve social reform growth. OECD the status of our country in different that improving us to take will allow and work their will enrich committees of it.’’ better advantage OECD Secretary-General, 15 2015, Paris, France. France. OECD Secretary-General, 15 June 2015, Paris, economic growth and competitiveness, and competitiveness, growth economic The active role played by Morocco during its co-presidency co-presidency during its Morocco by played active role The this of in the framework of activities agreed range The of the MENA-OECD Initiative, its adherence to many to many its adherence Initiative, of the MENA-OECD OECD various well its participation in as as instruments, has made a which the quality of this co-operation, bodies show of Country with the signing of the agreement qualitative leap in 2015. Programme and key information will enable us to have programme the at governance our public to strengthen recommendations In June 2015, the OECD and the Government of the Kingdom and the Government the OECD 2015, In June of Understanding on signed a Memorandum of Morocco projects, of 16 It consists Country Programme. a two-year instruments and reinforced to nine OECD legal adherence three It is built around OECD bodies. participation in nine areas: main policy and the the Kingdom of Morocco years, ‘’Over the past ten that has helped relationship a productive enjoyed OECD have and make it a platform partnership to deepen our strategic vector and a and standards of best practices exchange for of public policies. improvement . This set of This . governance social inclusion and public and access to OECD expertise Morocco give will activities agenda and bolster its reform to develop recommendations inclusive to support strong, in order years the next two over and sustainable growth. The Country Programme supports the Moroccan Programme Country The of essential in the design and implementation government OECD policy helps bring the country closer to reforms, participation in greater for the way and paves standards OECD bodies. The Morocco Country Programme Morocco The Promoting effective development co-operation

The OECD Strategy on Development, adopted in the 2012 “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Ministerial Council Meeting, gives impetus to OECD’s Development provides an ambitious and founding mission of contributing to the development of all holistic vision for global development. countries by sharing knowledge and policy experiences. It applies to every nation in the world, requiring all stakeholders and The OECD and UNDP jointly support the Global Partnership policymakers to work for a better and for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC), a multi- sustainable world. In the DAC, we stakeholder partnership that brings together governments, have worked together with people from business, civil society and other organisations committed different countries and organisations to better understand to enhancing the impact of development co-operation. The and learn what works and what does not. In recent years, GPEDC provides a unique global evidence base on the quality we have also built up a regular and deepening dialogue with of development co-operation and is geared towards learning Arab donors, as Arab countries and institutions are the most and sharing lessons, informed in particular by the results of significant sources of development finance outside of the DAC.” the GPEDC Monitoring Framework. Erik Solheim, Director, Environment Programme, and former Chair of the Development Assistance Committee MENA countries actively participate in the GPEDC. The Arab Coordination Group and Egypt sit on the Steering Committee www.effectivecooperation.org of the Partnership since 2014. Several MENA countries (Algeria, www.effectivecooperation.org/wordpress/hlm2014 Djibouti, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Mauritania, among others) have endorsed Global Partnership principles since their in Busan () in 2011, and actively participated in the First High Level Meeting of the Global Partnership which took place in City in April 2014.

Countries of the region also engage in the GPEDC monitoring exercise: Egypt and the Palestinian Authority provided country-level data feeding into the firstGlobal Partnership Progress Report (2014), and Egypt and Yemen have committed to provide data to the second Global Partnership Progress Report (2016, forthcoming). The Global Partnership Progress Reports track progress in improving the effectiveness of development co-operation in specific areas, such as country ownership and results, development of SCAN TO inclusive development partnerships, and transparency and READ THE REPORT accountability for development results.

14 . ACTIVE WITH MENA THE OECD AND MENA 15 . THE OECD AND THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA AND EAST MIDDLE THE AND OECD THE an opportunity to debate a variety of topics, including of topics, variety to debate a an opportunity One of the sector. private and the trade, for energy, been the creation of these meetings has deliverables key explores which on Energy, Force Task ACG-DAC of a joint energy that improve to scale up activities ways collaborative Africa. in Sub-Saharan access in some countries on statistics and providers Arab with works also DAC The the United (Kuwait, countries Three finance. development and four multilateral Arabia) and Saudi Emirates Arab in Economic Development Bank for (Arab organisations Fund for Social and Economic Development, Arab Africa, Bank and the OPEC Fund for Islamic Development co- on their development report International Development) receive countries Other MENA to the OECD. flows operation members. and DAC providers Arab both from ODA www.oecd.org/dac/dac-global-relations/engaging-arab- countries-and-institutions.htm Arab-DAC Dialogue, Dialogue, Arab-DAC 2015, Paris. L Discussions between the DAC and Arab providers have been have providers Arab and the DAC Discussions between provide discussions Those since 2009. regularly organised (DAC) has been Assistance Committee (DAC) Development The co-operation, of development providers Arab with engaging institutions, (ACG) Group Co-ordination the Arab notably co- to better ways identify issues, to discuss development and experiences other’s each learn from activities, ordinate countries’ developing in supporting effective become more Arab United The results. development efforts to deliver and Participant in 2014, DAC became the first Emirates with their engagement up stepping countries are Arab other to Gross the highest ODA posted the UAE fact, In the DAC. in 2014. at 1.26% (or USD 5.1 billion), National Income ratio, Arab countries and institutions have been providing been providing have and institutions countries Arab Assistance of OfficialDevelopment amounts substantial on share to experiences considerable and have (ODA) countries. poverty in developing reducing Engagement with Arab providers of development co-operation of development providers with Arab Engagement “The MENA region and the OECD “The strong cultural, social and economic are engaged in a mutually beneficial ties between the Middle East and North partnership through the MENA-OECD Africa and the OECD make co-operation Initiative. For the MENA region, the with the MENA region one of the Initiative provides a channel to benefit Organisation’s strategic priorities. The from policy dialogue and peer exchange OECD is engaged in supporting its MENA on key policy areas. For the OECD, the partners in addressing policy priorities, Initiative is a vehicle to benefit from including the design and implementation new policy perspectives and engage with of comprehensive reforms for inclusive partners from this strategic region. With an extended mandate growth and employment in the region. The MENA-OECD for 2016-2020, the Initiative will focus on fostering regional Initiative has notably deepened its engagement with the G7 economic integration as a means to promote competitiveness Deauville Partnership for Arab Countries in Transition through and inclusive and sustainable economic growth.” regional projects and the strategic design of joint policy Paulo Vizeu Pinheiro, Ambassador of to the OECD, Chair of the frameworks such as the Compact on Economic Governance. The External Relations Committee OECD stands also ready to support the MENA region towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.” “The OECD’s Global Relations Strategy Andreas Schaal, OECD Director of Global Relations seeks to make the Organisation a more effective and inclusive global policy network. We are committed to strengthening our work with the Middle East and North Africa and ready to support the region’s efforts in enhancing investment climate, modernising governance structures and operations, strengthening regional and international partnerships, and promoting inclusive economic growth. We are also committed to continue bringing the reform agendas of MENA economies closer to the global debate, including through the role of the OECD and its member countries in global governance structures such as the G20 and the G7. At the same time, the OECD looks forward to continuing to benefit from the region’s perspectives and experiences, which have proved important for enriching our policy debates.” Marcos Bonturi, OECD Special Representative to the United Nations.

16 . ACTIVE WITH MENA THE OECD AND MENA 17 A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH AGENDA 18 . ACTIVE WITH MENA SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 19 . Multidimensional Country Reviews A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH AGENDA INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE A Discussions between (left right) to Hakim Minister Ben Hamouda, former Economics , Director, Pereira Alvaro Tunisia, of and Finance of Economy Department, Department, Senior Economics Economist, Isabelle Joumard and , Head of the OECD Middle East and Africa Division during Conde the Support to A Reform and Agenda Competitiveness of the reportpreparation Tunisia: Growth. Inclusive L  benefit greatly and can reforms and structural transitions The MENA economies. that also impede growth of (MDCRs) identify obstacles to drivers well- and the determinants of economic development deeper has finalised the Morocco region, In the MENA being of citizens. key of consists in the identification which phase of a MDCR, first reforms. A Agenda Reform to Support Tunisia: 2015 report The at the , undertaken Growth and Inclusive Competitiveness expertise the OECD’s on draws authorities, Tunisian of request in comparing country experiences and identifying best The OECD also provides multidisciplinary and whole-of- and multidisciplinary provides OECD also The support This reforms. support for structural government extensive for countries undergoing relevant is especially The OECD also produces economic forecasts during spring and economic forecasts produces OECD also The developments, country summarising recent by with a score fall, priorities. as reform well as years, the outlook for the next two published in OECD Economic are and analyses forecasts These priorities for and reforms structural An assessment of Outlook. These . Going for Growth is summarised in the report the future a country monitoring by also based on continuous studies are of other the contributions team of economists and benefit from OECD experts. The OECD examines macroeconomic developments and developments OECD examines macroeconomic The The partner countries. policies of member and structural the overall analyse published biannually, , Economic Surveys priority put forward economic situation in a country and specific thematic in depth also analyse Surveys The reforms. with national defined in collaboration are which issues, conducted in close co-operation studies are The authorities. based on intensive with national authorities and are with senior leaders including with stakeholders, consultations impact of the messages the hence increasing of the country, with work to OECD is ready The political levels. at the highest in undertaking Economic Surveys. countries interested MENA The current geopolitical, security and migration challenges challenges security geopolitical, and migration current The responses. immediate call for facing the MENA region will growth enduring and inclusive achieving However, to of structural reforms the implementation also require opportunities creates for growth economic that ensure increased the dividends of all and equitably distributes OECD supportsThe partners its MENA in prosperity. jobs, for of reforms the design and implementation and inclusive resilient, and more diversification economic sustainable economies. diversification and sustainable and inclusive growth and inclusive sustainable and diversification Implementing structural reforms for economic for Implementing structural reforms Implementing structural reforms for economic diversification and sustainable and inclusive growth

practices. Its results are helping the Tunisian Government to identify and implement the reforms needed to move forward with its economic transition and foster a more balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth. The report is part of the Better Policies Series, which tailors the OECD’s policy advice to the specific and timely priorities of a country or region, focusing on how governments can make reforms happen. A Better Policies brochure for the MENA region is to be presented during the MENA-OECD Ministerial meeting to be held in Tunis in October 2016.

The African Economic Outlook (AEO) is an annual publication jointly prepared and published by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the OECD Development Centre and the United SCAN TO READ THE REPORTS Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The report surveys and analyses the economic performance of African economies. It provides information on the current state of economic and social development in Africa and projects the outlook for the coming two years. Its comprehensive and comparable data and analysis of 54 African economies includes Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. Every year the Outlook is launched at the African Development Bank’s annual meeting. www.oecd.org/dev/mdcr.htm www.oecd.org/about/publishing/betterpoliciesseries.htm www.africaneconomicoutlook.org

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20 . ACTIVE WITH MENA SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 21 . , the OECD is supporting the the OECD , Improving the business and Improving A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH AGENDA INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE A investment climate in Iraq climate investment government of the country to foster private sector-led economic sector-led private of the country to foster government dialogue activities policy and capacity-building through growth with investment policies and institutions dealing to improve Promoting report The and the business environment. part of the as produced Context, in a Fragile Investment the investment to strengthen offers recommendations project, in a investment and developing framework policy situation. fragile the SME agency Enterprise, with Libya OECD collaborates The of in the elaboration with the Ministry of Economy, affiliated Dimension: Development on The report a comprehensive Preparing for a Post-conflict Reconstruction: SMEs in Libya’s will identified implementation of the actions The . Economy when stability is regained. efforts support the reconstruction to build judicial project OECD is also implementing a The of the efficiency and effectiveness integrity, to improve capacity is done in co- project The to justice. the court system and access Fund for Economic and Social Development Arab with operation Yemen. of (AFESD) and the Ministry of Justice partners to OECD supports its Member States and their The their strategies through resilience and integrate strengthen aims to help work This region. in the MENA programmes and and shocks in the face of recurrent well-being people’s improve longer term solutions to the drivers and to develop stresses, OECD has been supporting the The in the region. of fragility the Syrian for Regional Strategy of Sweden’s development mandate of the MENA-OECD Initiative which will be endorsed which Initiative the MENA-OECD mandate of new A in October 2016. Tunisia Ministerial in at the MENA-OECD will be Situations Resilience in Fragile on Economic Force Task the crisis in addressing affected by to support countries created issues expediently. pressing on project the Through Investment and inclusive growth in the midst in growth and inclusive Investment conference The in organised , forward ways of crisis: lessons learned and public the from together representatives brought 2016, in May Libya Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, sector from private and OECD countries from as representatives well as Tunisia, and and the donor community. and international organisations sector is key private that the consensus emerged A strong and that targeted resilience the region’s to strengthening The to support its development. needed policies are government the new into will be integrated the conference conclusions from The OECD’s collaboration with the MENA region helps to region MENA with the collaboration OECD’s The strong resilience through and conflict and build fragility with works OECD The policies. institutions and sound economic at the and conflict-affected countries and economies fragile and reform policy for Activities and national levels. regional into account the specific circumstances take capacity-building in those countries. of fragility The instability and conflicts in Iraq, Libya, and Yemen have Yemen have Syria and Libya, instability and conflicts in Iraq, The to societies great suffering, caused incalculable human great also led to has This loss of economic activity. vast and a facing increasing are which on neighbouring countries strain and jobs, infrastructure of services, provision for the pressure populations. but also for their local for the , not only complex scenario calls for a concerted international This peace and including regaining fronts on several response the managing humanitarian assistance, providing stability, newcomers of refugees and supporting the integration influx of into societies. Conflict and socio-politicalConflict frictionsto enormous can negative and create costs human, social and economic stability disturb and effects that and international regional OECD supportsThe countries affected activity. economic in dealing with pressing community and the international recovery. economic for the ground challenges and preparing in post-conflict situations Building resilience resilience Building Building resilience in post-conflict situations

Crisis. This has involved the use of the OECD’s Resilience “The National Investment Commission Systems Analysis Framework to support the development of and other entities in the Government Sweden’s ‘Whole of Syria’ development strategy. This strategy of Iraq and the OECD have been co- complements Sweden’s significant humanitarian investments operating closely since 2007. We are and addresses longer-term issues, including social cohesion, grateful for all the support provided to us to build resilience to on-going shocks and stresses. The OECD by the OECD over the years, in particular has also worked with the United Nations Country team in most recently on improving the business Lebanon to help humanitarian, stabilisation and development and investment climate. OECD advice efforts to determine how to most effectively support vulnerable on investment promotion and investment law, amongst others, communities and institutions in the country, focusing on the has helped Iraq to attract more investment, to diversify our resources and capacities that are needed to face the risks economy and to rebuild our country.” related to the crisis in Syria. Sami Al-Araji, Chairman, National Investment Commission of Iraq

Finally, the Government of Jordan and the OECD are exploring www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness/iraq.htm new avenues of co-operation to support the Economic www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness//libyaproject.htm Compact to Deal with the Syrian , a new holistic www.oecd.org/mena/governance/yemen-mena-transition-fund- approach between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and project.htm the international community which would offer a whole-of- government approach on refugees and migration. Two of the key objectives of the Compact are increasing investment and supporting businesses to provide economic opportunities to refugees and host communities. The OECD is already assisting the government on both policy dimensions by helping Jordan implement legal and institutional reforms for investment; improve investment policy, promotion and services; and supporting the implementation of Jordan’s SME Strategy for 2016-2020 based on international good practices.

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22 . ACTIVE WITH MENA

SUSTAINABLE GROWTH Image courtesy of the World Bank World the of courtesy Image 23 . (the second report extending (the second report

A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH AGENDA INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE A Investing in Youth: Tunisia Investing Youth: in the Action Plan for Youth to emerging economies, following following economies, to emerging Youth Plan for Action the labour youth of the a detailed diagnosis provides ), education vocational on including a focus Tunisia, in market within the context of and entrepreneurship, and training an international It takes economy. green to a transition Tunisia’s options to help policy offering perspective, comparative provides also report The transitions. school-to-work improve the innovative countries to learn from an opportunity for other youth skills the of to strengthen has taken Tunisia that measures is review Youth in An Investing outcomes. and their employment the course of 2016 and 2017. over being carried out for Morocco provides a framework to adopt framework a provides Youth for OECD Action Plan The and labour education systems to develop perspectives strategic The people. young better for work that arrangements market report The MENA region is characterised by a young and dynamic and dynamic young a by is characterised region MENA The population. total 30% of the around population representing among levels and underemployment high Yet, in decision-making people and underrepresentation young Increasing the region. across present challenges are processes especially youth, of of economic and social integration the levels for the an important boost represent would women, young region. of the entire development The MENA region registers one of the highest rates of one of the highest rates registers MENA region The In some countries in the world. unemployment youth especially young people, young one out of two nearly with relevant youth Equipping out of jobs. are graduates is a their employment barriers to skills and removing in the region. most countries priority for and inclusion Enhancing youth skills, employability skills, employability youth Enhancing Enhancing youth skills, employability and inclusion

Effective public governance frameworks are key to support “Almost a third of are aged youth in their transition to adulthood and their full between 20 and 35 years, and every year, participation in political, social, and economic life. With a more than 500,000 fresh graduates join the view to the legislative, institutional and policy framework workforce. I believe adamantly that these and practices in place, the regional report Youth in the facts should not be addressed as challenges MENA Region: How to bring them in outlines pathways but regarded as potential assets. The for governments to foster a more strategic approach to actual challenge is to devise and implement pro-youth outcomes. It suggests applying a ‘youth lens’ to policies that create jobs by making Egypt’s open government tools and traditional sources of evidence economy more competitive and leveling the playing field to promote to promote the participation of young men and women in the rising entrepreneurship spirit. In doing so, we should provide decision-making. With a view to good practices in MENA the conditions for youth talents to thrive and harness the power of and OECD countries, it provides policy recommendations to innovation, while striving to promote . I am glad to integrate a youth perspective in areas such as public sector work closely with the MENA-OECD Programme to support Egypt in integrity, public budgeting, regulatory policy, and local this endeavour.” governance. Yasser Elnaggar, First Assistant Minister of Planning, Administrative Reform and Monitoring, Arab of Egypt Under the Youth Inclusion Project, the OECD is analysing policies for youth in ten developing and emerging economies, www.oecd.org/youth.htm including in the MENA region. The project takes a multi- sectoral approach to support countries in better responding to the aspirations of young people and strengthening youth involvement in national development processes. The project will shed light on what determines youth vulnerabilities and successful transitions. It will also strengthen national capacities to design evidence-based policies that promote youth inclusion and youth well-being.

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24 . ACTIVE WITH MENA SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 25 . A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH AGENDA INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE A , an , Forum Business Women’s OECD-MENA

governs future projects projects future governs Equality in Public Life on Gender for set benchmarks and region in the MENA undertaken to adherents Recommendation requires The governments. leadership opportunities – including enable to public and in and the , parliaments, in institutional capacities as to strengthen well as administrations, areas. policy all across gender equality for mainstreaming as well as employment own their people to create Enabling of a more to the emergence jobs for others is fundamental respond to firms new which in economy entrepreneurial The new needs. the from 700 representatives of over network inter-regional the MENA from governments and community businesswomen’s dialogue. policy and platform for research as a serves region Image courtesy of the World Bank World the of courtesy Image was established in 2009 was Platform in Government Women The in all integrated are gender considerations that to ensure Governance of the MENA-OECD groups working and activities the OECD Council Recommendation Furthermore, Programme. Building inclusive societies and investing in women increases women in investing societies and Building inclusive and empowerment economic women’s improves productivity, to the barriers Addressing and inequality. poverty reduces public life of the and in in the economy women participation of priorities to unleash is one of the most important region MENA MENA-OECD The countries. Arab potential of the development participation in women’s supports Programme Governance and equitable responsive as a means to strengthen policymaking world Arab is of special importance for the issue This governance. bodies in in legislative women for average since the regional OECD’s The world. in the countries is 17.9% - second lowest MENA in Women Promoting project Fund regional Transition MENA women’s aims to maximise and Policymaking Parliaments in Egypt, process policy-making public life and the into integration policies government open leveraging by and Morocco Jordan into parliamentary and gender perspectives andmainstreaming is complementary to theproject This local council operations. Gender, in Public Life: on Women Report 2014 OECD-CAWTAR Africa. The report the Middle East and North in and Policy Law gender equality support on the state of evidence-based provides governments to and recommendations region the MENA across gender balance that improve way policies in a to tailor on how growth. and enable inclusive Greater participation of women in the economy and in in the economy participation of women Greater economic inclusive and more stronger to public life One of the most important and social growth. economic gender equality is promoting MENA countries priorities for and policies, equitable laws, more and developing of the whole of society. representative are institutions that in this endeavour region OECD assists the MENA The activities. and national a number of regional through Tackling gender inequality gender Tackling Tackling gender inequality

Its 2014: Accelerating Entrepreneurship The OECD Development Centre’s Social Institutions and Gender in the MENA region publication assessed women Index (SIGI) measures against women in over 160 entrepreneurs’ access to financing and business development countries spanning all of the world, including MENA. The services. The forthcoming publication Women’s Economic SIGI captures discriminatory social institutions across five areas: Empowerment: The Impact of the Legal Frameworks of Discriminatory Code, Restricted Physical Integrity, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia determines Bias, Restricted Resources and Entitlements, and Restricted Civil whether and to what extent the legal frameworks regulating the Liberties. While conventional indicators of gender inequality status of men and women impact their economic participation. focus on outcomes such as employment and education, SIGI It highlights the complex interplay between different sets is unique in focusing on underlying drivers of inequality such of rules, social norms and economic outcomes and offers as discrimination in the family, and concrete policy recommendations, building on OECD’s wider women’s restricted access to land. Updated every two years, work on gender equality. The publication is intended to the SIGI is the only database to provide robust trend data on inspire policymakers to overcome legal barriers that impede a discriminatory social institutions. stronger involvement of women in the economy. The MENA- OECD Competitiveness Programme partners with regional and www.oecd.org/mena/governance/gender-equality-in-public-life.htm international stakeholders, such as the League of Arab States, www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness/wbf.htm the Union for the Mediterranean and UN Women to support www.oecd.org/dac/gender-development synergies and complementarities in the respective actions. www.oecd.org/mena/investment/womenempowerment.htm

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26 . ACTIVE WITH MENA SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 27 . Skills Beyond Skills Beyond A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH AGENDA INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE A Integrity of Public Education in Tunisia: Tunisia: in Integrity of Public Education , used data to analyse the accountability data to analyse used PISA , in Egypt put the spotlight on post-secondary put the spotlight on in Egypt THE REPORTS REPORTS THE SCAN TO TO READ SCAN vocation education and training (VET) system and options for (VET) education and training vocation engagement. employer basic skills and strengthening improving A 2013 publication, of schools and teachers in Tunisia and provide policy options to options policy provide and Tunisia in and teachers of schools OECD The education system. public trust in the help strengthen the national to ensure ways in identifying is supporting Morocco in the improvement drives and assessment system evaluation education. quality and equity of school in skills resources scarce when investing It is important employers. needed by that these skills are to ensure development with countries to help working the OECD has been Therefore, to assess and respond anticipate, that they way the them improve to offer similar assistance ready and it stands skill needs, changing a World OECD has also developed The countries. to MENA can which (WISE) database, of Skills for Employment Indicators performance of each and be used to examine the skills challenges perspective. a comparative from countries, including MENA country, School Review School www.oecd.org/pisa www.oecd.org/edu/school/talis.htm www.oecd.org/edu/imhe The OECD is also providing tailored advice on education and on education advice tailored providing OECD is also The A 2015 countries. MENA to individual policy skills Restoring Trust (TALIS) provides provides (TALIS) Survey and Learning International Teaching Programme for Assessment (PISA) Student for International Programme The MENA region’s in higher education is reflected by is reflected in higher education interest region’s MENA The Qatar, Lebanon, Bahrain, the membership of institutions from on the Programme in the OECD’s and the UAE Arabia Saudi a forum (IMHE), in Higher Education Institutional Management and share practices best exchange professionals education where of higher education internationally, on the development reflections and locally. nationally information on the working conditions of teachers and learning conditions of teachers working information on the policy. teacher and insights for improving in schools environments participate in the 2018 will Arabia and Saudi , edition of the survey. The The assesses 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics and . and science. mathematics students in reading, assesses 15-year-old including participate in PISA, 70 countries and economies Over Emirates. Arab the United and Tunisia Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan, Algeria, of PISA. participate in the 2018 round will Arabia and Saudi Morocco Governments seeking to design effective policies need seeking design effective to Governments needs a country’s to tailored is comprehensive, that evidence participation in Growing comparable. and internationally is helping more surveys education international the OECD’s these needs address in the MENA region countries and more the impact policies. education of their and improve and training Fostering skills through education skills education through Fostering Fostering regional development, sustainable cities and urbanisation

Effective regional, rural and urban development policies OECD Regional Outlook and OECD Regions at a Glance, which can help make growth more inclusive, sustainable and offer international trends and data on regional development. greener. While the drivers of disparities between regions in MENA countries could also participate in territorial, urban and a country may vary, they often underline the specificities rural policy reviews that address different elements of policy and of urban vs. rural environments and the need to better link help in the identification of development opportunities in specific urban and rural development in national strategies. regions and cities.

New powers brought to local governments through Participation in high level policy fora could also bring benefits decentralisation entail opportunities to better address local for MENA countries and their cities. For example, the OECD needs. To make decentralisation work, the capacities of public Roundtable of Mayors and Ministers gathers national and local institutions at the local level need to be built to enable them governments to identify policies for more resilient and inclusive to take up their new responsibilities and engage successfully cities in an increasingly urban era. The OECD Rural Development with local business associations and citizens, as well as with the Policy Conference (RDPC) brings together policymakers and experts national government, to overcome prevailing regional disparities. to identify good practices for the development of rural areas. The OECD supports MENA countries to strengthen governance Morocco has been a participant in the RDPC for almost 12 years at the local level. For example, in Jordan the OECD is helping and is now engaged in a dialogue with the OECD on territorial the government by undertaking an assessment of the current development policies as part of its OECD Country Programme. governance arrangements and developing capacities to promote Tunisia has also expressed interest in producing territorial inclusive and effective policymaking and public service delivery. indicators that enable national development policies to be better The OECD equally supports Morocco and Tunisia in their ongoing tailored to the specific needs and opportunities of its regions. decentralisation efforts. www.oecd.org/gov/regional In , the OECD is ready to support MENA countries to www.oecd.org/gov/cities improve their territorial development strategies. This could www.oecd.org/effective-public-investment-toolkit include MENA participation in the OECD’s flagship publications www.oecd.org/mena/governance/local-governance.htm

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28 . ACTIVE WITH MENA SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 29 . SCAN TO TO READ SCAN REPORTS THE A SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH AGENDA INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE A

www.oecd.org/agriculture www.agri-outlook.org Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are adherents to several of the to several adherents are Tunisia and Morocco Egypt, facilitate Codes The . and Schemes Codes Agricultural OECD harmonisation simplification, the through international trade procedures. certification globally-agreed and implementation of The OECD and the Food and Organisation of Organisation Agriculture and OECD and the Food The publish the OECD-FAO annually the United Nations (FAO) in trends assesses agricultural which Outlook, Agricultural edition of current The OECD and selected non-OECD counties. cereals, for biofuels, trends market world provides the report the 2016- over products fish and dairy meats, , oilseeds, developments, of recent period and contains an evaluation 2025 markets. issues and uncertainties in those commodity key While the region is a net importer of agricultural products – and products is a net importer of agricultural While the region for its basic needs in cereals, on trade thus dependent for agricultural protection example – for oil and sugar, OECD advises The high. in some countries remains products instruments policy targeted toward on moving governments equitable and minimally to specific objectives, tailored that are and trade-distorting. production- Agriculture in the is quite a diverse sector, whose sector, diverse is quite a world Arab in the Agriculture than 14% in Egypt and more from contribution to GDP ranges Emirates. Arab and United Kuwait to less than 1% in Morocco ranging diverse, population is likewise size of the rural The high With Yemen. 1% in Qatar to almost 68% in just above from land and of arable and limited areas rates growth population to how is facing a clear challenge: the region resources, water of food. sources access to nutritious reliable ensure In the face of volatile food prices, rapid , growth, population rapid prices, food of volatile In the face recog- increasingly are governments change, and climate research in agricultural investment of greater nising the value increase to element as an essential and development OECD supports inThe countries productivity. agricultural for sustainability competitiveness and innovation, improving and smallholder alike. commercial and and food Increasing agricultural productivity agricultural Increasing SMOOTH FUNCTIONING OF MARKETS 30 . ACTIVE WITH MENA FUNCTIONING MARKETS 31 . REPORT REPORT SCAN TO READ THE THE READ SMOOTH FUNCTIONING MARKETS OF SMOOTH oecddeclarationanddecisions.htm promotion.htm The Competitiveness Programme also directly supports supports directly also Programme Competitiveness The through reforms of tailored the implementation countries in Climate and Investment the Business Improving projects: ; and in Jordan and Competitiveness Investment in Iraq; in Egypt. The projects Climate the Investment Enhancing the design and implementation of comprise supporting of of institutions in charge and building the capacities reforms promotion and services. policy, investment www.oecd.org/investment www.oecd.org/investment/investment-policy/ www.oecd.org/investment/pfi.htm investmentpoliciesand www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness Building on these OECD instruments, the MENA-OECD the MENA-OECD Building on these OECD instruments, on Investment Group Working Programme’s Competitiveness in the region processes reform supports investment and Trade experience sharing amongst OECD raising, awareness through Competitiveness The advice. policy and stakeholders, and MENA States Arab of with the League working is also Programme regional the benefits of strengthened promote (LAS) to further of investment. in the integration Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan are adherents to the adherents are and Jordan Tunisia Morocco, Egypt, and Multinational Investment on International Declaration enshrines countries’ commitment Declaration The Enterprises. environment an open and transparent providing to positive and encouraging for international investment (MNEs) to economic enterprises multinational contributions by the OECD conducts adherent, each For progress. and social look at investment which (IPRs) Reviews Policy Investment and promotion and investment policies, and restrictions trends, the Policy by as covered areas facilitation and other related (PFI). for Investment Framework FDI inflows to the MENA region decreased by more than 50% than by more region decreased to the MENA FDI inflows countries across though differences 2008 and 2015, between weak remain flows investment Intra-regional significant. are MENA and interconnectedness. of integration lack showing The to boost investment. undertaking reforms countries are regional tools, policy OECD is supporting these efforts through projects. dialogue and country-specific Investment is an essential component of economic economic of component is an essential Investment and productivity It transfers triggers technology growth. trade fosters assists human capital formation, spillovers, effects on positive with competitiveness, and improves MENA region OECD and the The employment. and growth environments investment improve actively to co-operate the important materialise and policies development to of the region. potential environment Enhancing the investment investment the Enhancing Promoting trade and integration in global value chains

International production, trade and investment are These activities are also useful to explore the scope to increasingly organised within global value chains (GVCs) improve statistical information systems in order to provide in which the different stages of the production process insights into the more complex dynamics of GVCs, for are located across different countries. OECD analysis and example concerning the role of FDI, the integration of SMEs, recommendations help OECD members and non-members, skills, jobs and the contribution of knowledge based capital. including in the MENA region, increase and improve their OECD work underscores that GVCs impact an economy’s participation in GVCs. competitiveness, and that investment in skills and knowledge-based assets is increasingly important in helping Trade in intermediate inputs makes up over 50% of goods and countries to move up or upgrade in value chains. 70% of services trade. As a result, GVCs challenge how we understand globalisation and raise questions about how policies The OECD provides support for the MENA region as in a broad range of areas should be developed. The OECD-WTO countries seek to move up global value chains and enhance Trade in Value Added (TiVA) database was developed to generate the contribution of international investment and trade to new insights about commercial relations among economies and their growth agendas. An OECD study on the Participation the process of value creation. The 2015 edition of TiVA indicators of Developing Countries in Global Value Chains included covers 61 economies, including Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, and is analysis of the MENA region. The study found that broken down by 34 industries. Further efforts are being made to productivity, export sophistication and export diversification improve country coverage and provide new insights on the scale are positively associated with greater participation in GVCs. of regional value chains in the MENA region. Morocco will be The study also highlighted the importance of trade and included in the next update of the database. investment liberalisation.

32 . ACTIVE WITH MENA FUNCTIONING MARKETS 33 . THE REPORTS REPORTS THE REPORTS THE SCAN TO TO READ SCAN TO READ SCAN SMOOTH FUNCTIONING MARKETS OF SMOOTH assesses the country’s current integration in GVCs integration current assesses the country’s oe.cd/tiva www.oecd.org/trade www.oecd.org/trade/facilitation oe.cd/gvc www.oecd.org/dev/global-value-chains.htm Trade Facilitation Facilitation a set of Trade OECD has also developed The their border improve governments (TFIs) to help Indicators reap and flows, boost trade costs, trade reduce procedures, the full TFIs cover The international trade. benefits from greater including 160 countries, for over procedures spectrum of border to governments allowing region, for 12 countries in the MENA TFIs show The capacity. policies for improved targeted devise up to could cut costs by governments region, that in the MENA facilitation reform. trade comprehensive 17.5% through Upgrading Global Value Chains through Investment Investment through Chains Value Global Upgrading report The in Tunisia for hosts the Initiative Centre OECD Development The and Transformation Production Dialogue on GVCs, Policy and of the Initiative is a member Morocco . Development countries to plenary meetings allowing participates in actively peer learning. into experience and engage policy on exchange gathers OECD and non-OECD countries to share platform This industrial promote to practices good and identify knowledge and production of domestic and upgrading development capabilities. innovation and identifies measures for the modernisation of the legal and for and identifies measures analysis The and investment. for trade institutional framework Framework Policy and the TiVA as such builds on OECD tools to consider Tunisia the need for It notes (PFI). for Investment including the role in their entirety, the complexity of GVCs on the offshore only of relying of services and the limitations regime. Fostering sound competition

Competition policy contributes to growth and higher living Taking advantage of the OECD’s tools and instruments to standards. The OECD works to strengthen competition promote pro-competitive regulatory reform can help MENA law and policy as a means to support sustainable growth countries overcome economic challenges and improve in member and non-member economies. The OECD growth. One of the instruments available to governments to is working with MENA countries to advance effective develop their competition policies is an OECD Peer Review of competition policies, as many laws and regulations in the a country’s competition law and policy. A Peer Review closely region continue to restrict competition in the . examines a country’s competition regime, assesses strengths Such anti-competitive regulations hamper productivity and weaknesses, and sets out policy options and a roadmap for and innovation and can raise prices, harming the poorest legislative and institutional reform where appropriate. This may consumers in particular. be particularly useful for countries that seek to initiate reform.

Competition legislation is particularly important in countries In addition to this in-depth assessment of a country’s where markets are highly concentrated and where barriers to competition regime through the Peer Review, the OECD can also imports are high. Competition in MENA countries can be weak deliver targeted technical assistance. For example, the OECD is because of state-sanctioned monopolies, sectors or markets working with the Competition Council in Morocco to train public protected by regulation or because of political influence in the officials in fighting bid-rigging in public tenders. The OECD is case of state-owned companies or state-dominated markets. also working with the Competition Authority of Egypt on training These countries need effective competition legislation, strong some of its officials to carry out a competition impact assessment enforcement institutions, and pro-competitive structural reforms. of regulation, using the OECD’s Competition Assessment Toolkit.

Egypt is a Participant in the OECD Competition Committee Guidelines for fighting bid-rigging in public procurement: and is a regular contributor to its bi-annual meetings. Algeria, www.oecd.org/competition/guidelinesforfightingbidrigginginpublic Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia and procurement.htm Yemen regularly attend the OECD’s annual Global Forum on Competition Assessment Toolkit: Competition (GFC), which brings together high-level competition www.oecd.org/daf/competition/assessment-toolkit.htm officials from all around the world, with more than 100 www.oecd.org/daf/competition competition authorities represented. The GFC promotes a wider The Toolkit and the Guidelines are dialogue that encompasses the linkages between competition available in English, French and . policy and other aspects of economic development, including employment and poverty alleviation.

In addition, the OECD regularly hosts meetings of the Africa Competition Forum (ACF), which includes representatives from SCAN TO READ all the North African competition authorities. The ACF allows for THE REPORT African competition authorities to exchange experiences and to hold capacity building seminars with an African focus, including North Africa.

34 . ACTIVE WITH MENA FUNCTIONING MARKETSFUNCTIONING

Improving financial education

The importance of financial and the need to and financial consumer protection at the conference Catalysing promote financial education are globally recognised to Financial Education to Promote Financial Inclusion for Women improve financial inclusion, foster individuals’ financial and Youth in the MENA Region organised by the Centre of Arab well-being and support financial stability. Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR) in Tunis, as well at the Workshop of the Francophone Banking Union on financial MENA countries are starting to promote financial education as education for MSMEs, jointly organised by the Union of Arab a powerful tool for economic growth and financial stability, as Banks. well as a starting point for more inclusive societies. Lebanon, Morocco and Saudi Arabia are developing or implementing www.oecd.org/finance/financial-education/advancing-national- a national strategy for financial education following OECD strategies-for-financial-education.htm recommendations. Saudi Arabia detailed its plans for a national www.oecd.org/finance/financial-education strategy in its contribution to the G20-OECD publication Advancing National Strategies for Financial Education and used OECD methodology to assess the financial literacy of their populations and develop their national strategies for financial education.

The OECD formulates financial education recommendations through the International Network on Financial Education (INFE) and through its participation in the work of the G7 and G20. Established in 2008, the OECD/INFE brings together experts from over 240 public institutions in over 110 economies in order to undertake analytical work and develop good practices. Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority and Saudi Arabia are members of the Network. Lebanon is an important partner, having hosted the 6th meeting of the OECD/INFE in 2010 and the OECD-Banque du Liban International Conference on Financial Education: Building Financially Empowered Individuals in the same occasion. Moreover, Egypt is a member of the OECD/ INFE Expert Subgroup on the Role of Financial Education in Financial Inclusion.

A number of regional and bilateral events organised with SCAN TO local authorities include a Conference on Financial Literacy READ THE REPORT and Education in the Arab World in Morocco (with the and Bank Al-Maghrib) in 2016. In 2015, the OECD was invited to disseminate its work on financial education

SMOOTH FUNCTIONING OF MARKETS . 35 BUDGETING, REVENUE COLLECTION AND EXPENDITURE 36 . ACTIVE WITH MENA BUDGETING 37 . REPORT REPORT SCAN TO READ THE THE READ BUDGETING, REVENUE COLLECTION EXPENDITURE BUDGETING, AND www.oecd.org/ctp/tax-global and an increasing number of other countries. This facilitates facilitates This of other countries. number and an increasing and Morocco Tunisia comparisons. global as well as regional Africa in Statistics Revenue in the first edition of participate are the region countries from More (published in 2016). for momentum to create project global to join this welcomed Statistics. Revenue of a MENA the launch Access to comparable, detailed and up-to-date revenue data detailed and up-to-date revenue Access to comparable, policies for designing and administering tax prerequisite is a progressive. and for investment, attractive efficient, that are data for provides project Statistics Revenue OECD’s The and citizens of OECD countries researchers governments, The OECD is undertaking a project with Tunisia on Enhancing Tunisia with project OECD is undertaking a The System Tax Mobilisation through an Effective Domestic Resource and International Co-operation Transparency Design and Improved government is to assist the objective project’s The (2014-2016). to foster sustainable economic to mobilise domestic resources the design of improving by and income redistribution growth and international transparency policies and improving taxation the implementation of OECD is also assisting The co-operation. and information on transparency the international standards Shifting and Profit Base Erosion addressing exchange, planning (including and analysis policy tax (BEPS), with statistics revenue comparable internationally developing Tax Reform and Improving Administration Tax with data) and Compliance. The OECD undertakes a number of activities in which MENA MENA which in of activities a number OECD undertakes The Multilateral Turkey-OECD The participants. active countries are on tax eight seminars annually hosts in Centre Tax MENA officials from which topics to and administration policy seminars one or two In addition, welcome. countries are focused on issues affecting MENA specifically are year per on taxpayer was programme In 2015 the focus of the countries. voluntary to enhance ways discussing the most effective service, mobilisation. compliance and thus domestic resource Effective and efficient fiscal systems have a fundamental a fundamental have systems fiscal and efficient Effective overcome to resources sufficient for in providing role income and social and improve challenges economic to MENA region with the OECD works The distribution. capacity collection and the redistributive revenue improve and expenditure. of taxes and fiscal management and fiscal Improving revenue collection revenue Improving Enhancing tax transparency and compliance

Tax transparency is a priority for good governance and around the world through its monitoring and peer review economic development. The OECD works closely with the activities. More than 95 members of the GFTEI committed to G20 on this topic, seeking to motivate and inform effective automatically exchange information on financial accounts, collective action. The OECD stands ready to support MENA beginning in 2017 or 2018. countries in the implementation of reforms in this area. The Global Forum has seven members in the MENA region The OECD has developed international standards on (Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the transparency and exchange of information on request (EIOR) ) and has in place a number of initiatives and more recently an international standard for automatic to assist them in implementing the international standards on exchange of information on financial accounts (AEOI). The transparency and exchange of information. Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (GFTEI), with its 129 member jurisdictions, eoi-tax.org has been ensuring that the high standards of transparency www.oecd.org/ctp/beps and exchange of information upon request (EIOR) are in place

TRANSPARENCY AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN THE MENA REGION

Automatic Exchange Deauville Partnership projects: Tunisia and Morocco Africa Initiative of Information

lmproving legal framework Raising awareness on and organisation Training tax auditors in Building capacity in Commitment to the standards and their to comply with the effectively using exchange transparency and implement the AEOI importance for the tax standards, including the of information to tackle exchange of information by 2018 administration set-up of exchange of tax evasion information units

38 . ACTIVE WITH MENA BUDGETING 39 . MENA-SBO Meeting, MENA-SBO BUDGETING, REVENUE COLLECTION EXPENDITURE BUDGETING, AND Working Party of Senior Budget Officials (SBO) Budget Officials of Senior Party OECD Working The in developments since 1980 to consider latest convenes The international budget practice. is a unique country in the region, one by hosted annually countries to discuss their and OECD platform for MENA governance to modernise ways explore and challenges transparent efficient, for more processes and structures This (PFM). management public financial participatory and as outlined in the new approach a multi-pronged requires (2015). on Budgetary Governance OECD Recommendation a provide principles set out in the Recommendation 10 The the full spectrum across practices good of concise overview for designing, guidance practical give and of budget activity, a budget systems to make implementing and improving on citizens’ lives. impact positive MENA-SBO in on 14-15 December 2015. L The OECD carries out research across the full range of the full range across OECD carries out research The budgeting of country reviews budgeting issues through of specific aspects analyses comparative undertakes systems, and maintains a countries, across of the budgeting system Budget Practices database on International comprehensive work of this results The 97 countries. covering and Procedures on Budgeting. published in the OECD Journal are Maintaining fiscal discipline, allocating resources to resources allocating fiscalMaintaining discipline, greater objectives and achieving government attain crucial a efficiencyhave in public performance all development economic national impact on overall OECD supports in The MENA countries and well-being. the efficiencyeffectiveness of their strengthening and systems. procurement budgeting and public and public procurement and public Strengthening budgeting budgeting Strengthening Strengthening budgeting and public procurement

The MENA-OECD Governance Programme is supporting the “The Budget reform can constitute a means Tunisian government to implement its PFM reform to improve to respond to the high expectations of performance and accountability. This consists in assessing the citizens by fostering more transparent and Tunisian budget cycle and providing tailored recommendations efficient public management which allows and capacity building to develop an effective system of good for a greater visibility of policies and adds fiscal governance. The OECD support to Tunisia has contributed substance to the concept of to the adoption of the Organic Law on Budget which will in a context of structural and economic make performance-based budgeting mandatory across the obstacles.” public administration. The OECD will continue to support the Slim Chaker, Former Tunisian Minister of Finance in the opening seminar government and in the process of adopting the law. “Towards new management of public finance in Tunisia,” 11 May 2015, Tunis Progress in budget transparency has enabled Tunisia to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP). The OECD continues to www.oecd.org/gov/budgeting/oecdjournalonbudgeting.htmh support the government in linking the budget to the broader www.oecd.org/gov/budgeting economic and planning framework, and strengthening budget www.oecd.org/gov/ethics/mena- processes at the local level to support the decentralisation oecdnetworkonpublicprocurement.htm enshrined in the new Constitution. www.oecd.org/mena/governance/efficient-and-effective- budgeting.htm The creation of the MENA-OECD Network on Public Procurement in 2012, in response to a call from the Deauville Partnership Governance Pillar, has provided a vehicle for identifying policy priorities, conducting capacity-building events and sharing insights from progress made. All Arab countries in transition (Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, Egypt and Yemen) are part of the network.

The adoption of e-procurement solutions to improve competition and access to procurement opportunities, efficiency, transparency and accountability is also supported by the Network, with several countries making significant strides in this regard. The OECD has been providing training activities and events on diverse Public Procurement topics as well as additional events targeted to broad anti- issues.

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40 . ACTIVE WITH MENA PUBLIC AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

PUBLIC AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE . 41 Strengthening rule of law

Legal certainty and an efficient regulatory framework The OECD also provides assistance to MENA countries to are important foundations for social and economic enhance public trust in the justice system by improving development. The OECD works with the MENA region to the performance of justice institutions, enhancing enhance the , autonomy and efficiency of access to justice and evaluating the use of alternative the judiciary, improve access to justice and implement dispute resolutions. This includes support to Egypt in regulatory reform. the implementation of an automated case management system and ICT to reduce case backlog and to strengthen Enhancing the regulatory environment through systematic the provision of justice services. OECD’s justice work also consultation, the use of regulatory processes and tools, and facilitates the implementation of country commitments reviews of the stock of legislation is a common concern of under the Sustainable Development Agenda (SDG 16), MENA countries that have often inherited multiple layers of notably through the links between access to legal and justice regulation. The OECD has developed a Regional Charter for services and dimensions of inclusive growth (e.g. health, Regulatory Quality (2009) providing MENA countries with employment). a common framework of principles and good practice for regulatory management. MENA countries also benefit from www.oecd.org/mena/governance/rule-of-law.htm the OECD Recommendation on Regulatory Policy (2012) which helps the implementation of systemic regulatory reform to meet public policy objectives in an effective and efficient manner.

The Working Group on Regulatory Reform of the MENA- OECD Governance Programme provides a forum for MENA countries and international experts to exchange good regulatory reform practices. Among its activities, the Working Group helps to strengthen legislative drafting skills to empower MENA countries to elaborate laws and regulations in line with best practices and in an inclusive and transparent manner. This includes the use of guidelines, policy or quality checks for drafting legislation, coordination between ministries of justice and other ministries and meeting training requirements.

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42 . ACTIVE WITH BRAZILMENA GOVERNANCE 43 . PUBLIC AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CORPORATE AND PUBLIC framework in Tunisia, it provided technical assistance to make to make assistance technical provided it Tunisia, in framework internal strengthen tools, use of risk management effective for the law and align the draft and auditing systems control to international standards. whistle-blowers of protection the Authority, of the Palestinian Building on the experience in the implementation of Tunisia supports currently Programme officials. public a Code of Conduct for works to Programme Competitiveness MENA-OECD The The governance. and corporate business integrity strengthen (MOBIN) convenes Network Business Integrity MENA-OECD society to assess and civil governments sector, private the promoting corruption and preventing in progress and challenges tools and practical through integrity frameworks stronger builds on the OECD Convention on work Its solutions. innovative Business Public Officials in International Combating Bribery of Foreign (Tunisia), Minister Kamel Ayadi including Former picture”, “Family 18 April 2016). (Paris, Enhancing Integrity Business Development in the MENA region for (Sweden). (Iraq) Markovic and Ambassador Al-Yasiry Commissioner L The Governance Programme also undertakes country-specific also undertakes Programme Governance The based on an assessment of the integrity instance, For projects. assists governments assists governments Programme Governance MENA-OECD The integrity and fighting promoting in institutions and independent providing and integrity frameworks evaluating corruption by support for legal and building and implementation capacity the through level so at the regional It does institutional reforms. MENA- Service and Integrity and the on Civil Group Working . on Public Procurement OECD Network Corruption is a key impediment to economic and social economic to impediment is a key Corruption OECD The stability. long-term to and a threat development with MENA partners and integrity works in strengthening accountability and promoting building trust transparency, sectors. in the public and private and accountable governance and accountable Strengthening integrity integrity Strengthening Strengthening integrity and accountable governance

Transactions, the Recommendation for Further Combating Bribery and the Good Practice Guidance on Internal Controls, Ethics and Compliance.

The OECD organises training seminars on integrity for public and private sector representatives from across the MENA region. The seminars are hosted and supported by the IMF Middle East Centre for Economics and Finance (IMF-CEF) in . They present good practices and tools to strengthen integrity. Focus areas include the role of the judiciary and independent institutions (such as anti-corruption agencies), and engaging the private sector in corruption prevention through effective compliance programmes, internal control systems and collective action against corruption. SCAN TO READ THE REPORTS www.oecd.org/corruption www.oecd.org/corruption/ethics www.oecd.org/daf/anti-bribery/ businessintegrityinthemiddleeastandnorthafrica.htm www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness/ menaresponsiblebusinessconductforum.htm www.oecd.org/corruption/oecdantibriberyconvention.htm www.oecd.org/mena/governance/integrity-and-anti-corruption.htm www.oecd.org/gov/ethics/mena-oecdnetworkonpublic procurement.htm

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44 . ACTIVE WITH MENA GOVERNANCE Building open and innovative governments

Greater transparency and public participation in public The OECD, as a multilateral partner organisation of the OGP life lead to better policies and services and promote public assists Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and the sector integrity. This is essential to strengthen the trust of Palestinian Authority in assessing institutions, policies and citizens in the public administrations and to trigger more practices supporting the implementation of Open Government inclusive growth. principles. Through Open Government Reviews the OECD provides a comprehensive assessment of legal, institutional, Open government, or the opening up of government processes policy and implementation frameworks against OECD and information for public scrutiny and citizens’ involvement, instruments and good practices in the fields of Open and is now considered as a fundamental element of a democratic Inclusive Policy Making, Digital Government Strategies and society. MENA countries are focusing on open government Public Sector Innovation. initiatives to reform their public sectors and are joining the Open Government Partnership (OGP) to find inspiration and to The MENA-OECD Governance Programme, through its Working measure their reform progress. MENA citizens and civil society Group on Open and Innovative Government, provides capacity- are changing their expectations of how policies and services building and regional dialogue to reinforce the effects that open are defined and delivered and are demanding more from their and participatory policies can have on more inclusive outcomes elected officials as well as from national civil servants. that benefit all parts of the society, including women and youth.

“The path toward transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability is not an easy one, as it entails a paradigm shift that puts citizens at the heart not only of public policies but also of the very functioning of public administrations” Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General, at the International Forum on Open Government, Paris, 2014

PUBLIC AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE . 45 Building open and innovative governments

The MENA-OECD Civil Society Advisory Board ensures broad “The new Moroccan Constitution subscribes to the principles of participation of representatives from national and regional Civil open government in its governance system to support of the socio- Society Organisations from MENA and OECD countries in the economic development of the country. As a result of the OECD definition of the priorities of the whole Programme. report, the needs in terms of open governance are better formulated and solutions are developed. NGOs have taken an initiative to The Working Group also promotes government innovation create a network to share efforts in this area”. towards improving the quality and accessibility of public Abderrahim Foukahi, Coordinator, REMDI, Moroccan Network for the Right of services while making a more efficient use of public funds. Access to Information MENA public sector practitioners benefit from the OECD’s www.oecd.org/mena/governance/open-government.htm Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI), an online www.oecd.org/governance/observatory-public-sector-innovation platform collecting and sharing experiences of public sector innovation.

Within the context of OECD support to the Palestinian Authority, the OECD recently supported the Ministry of Telecommunication and IT to draft its E-government Policy and Implementation Plan, which included the creation of a one-stop shop of priority services for citizens and business.

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46 . ACTIVE WITH MENA GOVERNANCE Risk management

Risk management is essential to promote better League Development Organisation (ARADO) on Co-operation in public governance frameworks and achieve improved Establishing Resilience toward Global Risks in the Arab region. economic performance. Citizens and businesses have high expectations of governments to provide safety and The OECD launched in 2016 the OECD Review of Risk security, and to effectively manage negative consequences Management Policies in Morocco. Based on a peer review of exogenous shocks. In a context where the economic, process, this report provides targeted policy advice and environmental, technological and societal trends that identifies novel practices to strengthen the management of drive major risks are quickly evolving, governments must critical risks in the country. This review could serve as a basis adapt to new vulnerabilities, including in the MENA region. for future analyses of risk management policies in the MENA region. The OECD is also in discussions with MENA countries on The OECD High Level Risk Forum provides policymakers with the possibility of holding regional dialogues to reduce economic a collaborative platform to improve preparation for large scale risks associated with illicit trade. shocks to the economy and society. The OECD Recommendation on the Governance of Critical Risks sets the standard for risk www.oecd.org/governance/risk governance. Morocco and Tunisia’s adherence to this instrument www.oecd.org/gov/risk/recommendation-on-governance-of- in May 2014 demonstrates the interest of the MENA region to critical-risks.htm update risk management policies and increase their resilience, www.oecd.org/gov/risk/reviews-of-risk-management-policies.htm as highlighted at the 14th Annual Conference of the Arab

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PUBLIC AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE . 47 Raising the bar on corporate governance of private and state-owned enterprises

Effective corporate governance policies can help countries institutes of corporate directors, corporate governance centres, attract higher levels of investment and boost private individual companies, investors and stakeholders. The Working sector development. By creating an environment of Group also benefits from the experiences of similar regional trust, transparency and accountability, good corporate work that the OECD supports in South , Southern governance is also indispensable for developing sound Africa and America. domestic capital markets that can help countries to finance investment in the real economy. The OECD works www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness/mena-corporate- closely with MENA partners in strengthening corporate governance.htm governance standards, including of state-owned enterprises.

The MENA-OECD Working Group on Corporate Governance supports the MENA region through initiatives where companies and investors identify ways to improve corporate governance. It also works with stock exchanges, institutional investors, capital market regulators and others to establish sound and efficient capital markets and supports reforms of state- owned enterprises by sharing information and experience on developing concrete reform plans at the state and company levels and supporting implementation by monitoring progress and stocktaking.

The Working Group’s activities draw upon the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance and the OECD Guidelines for Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises, which provide a shared for the creation of trust and good corporate governance in a world of global finance and business. These instruments contain a wealth of practical experiences, including from the MENA region. The Principles and Guidelines do not prescribe a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Instead, they provide a tool that can be adapted to different legal, social and economic contexts.

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48 . ACTIVE WITH MENA INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION . 49 Building a knowledge economy

Investments in knowledge-based capital (e.g. databases, performance across a number of thematic areas in OECD design, brands and intellectual property) have countries and major emerging economies, including Egypt. implications for innovation, productivity growth and The Innovation Policy Platform (IPP) provides on-line access increasing living standards. The OECD stands ready to this information and allows one to benchmark performance to support the increasing number of MENA countries between countries. Basic statistical indicators of science, designing and implementing economic diversification technology and innovation investment and performance are strategies based on the knowledge economy. available for a number of MENA countries on the IPP.

OECD support to the region can be guided by tools such as The digital economy now permeates countless aspects of the the Innovation Strategy 2015 and the report The Innovation , impacting sectors as diverse as banking, , Imperative: Contributing to Productivity, Growth and energy, transportation, education, publishing, media or health. Well-Being (2015). Those tools set out a concrete agenda Governments therefore need to develop the digital economy to strengthen innovation performance and put it to use for in a strategic manner, expand its benefits and respond to key stronger, greener and more inclusive growth for countries at challenges such as reducing unemployment and inequalities all levels of development. It sets out five priorities for policy and lifting people out of poverty. The OECD Digital Economy makers that together provide the basis for a comprehensive Outlook 2015 analyses the current generation of national digital and action-oriented approach to innovation: (i) strengthen economy strategies. This includes Egypt’s strategy for 2014- investment in innovation and foster business dynamism, (ii) 2020, “Achieve the digital economy through ICT, to provide prosperity, invest in and shape an efficient system of knowledge creation freedom and social equity for all”, which aims to transform Egypt and diffusion, (iii) seize the benefits of the digital economy, (iv) into a digital society, further develop the ICT industry and foster talent and skills and optimise their use, and (v) improve establish Egypt as a global digital hub. the governance and implementation of policies for innovation. www.oecd.org/innovation The OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook reviews www.oecd.org/sti/ieconomy key trends in science, technology and innovation policies and www.innovationpolicyplatform.org

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50 . ACTIVE WITH MENA INDUSTRY & INNOVATION 51 . INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION AND INDUSTRY SCAN TO THE READ REPORT supports the in Jordan effectiveness SME Policy SME Development Strategy for Libya contributes for Libya Strategy SME Development The sector development private for ground the preparing towards the by supporting post-conflict situation in the country for a of a SME strategy. development project The for 2016- SME Strategy implementation of the Jordanian coordination, institutional It focuses on strengthening 2020. and SME statistics and monitoring dialogue, public-private of policies. evaluation andhumancapitaldevelopment.htm entrepreneurship

l l www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness/smepolicy level government officials in charge of SME and enterprise of SME and enterprise charge in officials government level of the training. beneficiaries policies are policy also supports SME Programme Competitiveness The It has . Deauville in the context of the Partnership development in the development Transition Countries in Arab with worked activities identifying concrete Action Plans of SME Near-Term is also programme The SME and entrepreneurship. promote to on SME projects Fund Transition of leading the implementation and Jordan. policies in Libya enterprise growth and access to finance, and access to finance, growth enterprise Working Working Programme’s Competitiveness MENA-OECD The and Entrepreneurship seeks to support on SME Policy Group in boosting governments with the International Monetary Fund In co-operation the for Economics and Finance (IMF-CEF), East Centre Middle capacity-building promotes also Programme Competitiveness course on training yearly a making through policy for SME The course for SMEs. to Finance Access and Policies Improving good methodologies and and discuss instruments, aims to share to facilitate including measures for SME development, practices Mid- to senior- access to finance for SMEs and entrepreneurs. SME Policy Index for the Mediterranean Middle East the Mediterranean Index for SME Policy The with the European jointly Africa 2014, prepared and North assessed Foundation, Training Commission and the European in eight policy and implementation of SME the elaboration based on a highly was assessment The economies. MENA the private governments, process involving consultative for enterprise areas key It covered donors. experts and sector, Act for Europe. in the Small Business reflected development and in monitoring and evaluating SME policy impact. Working Working impact. policy SME and in monitoring and evaluating Business Women’s with the OECD-MENA in close co-operation to support also has a special mandate the Group (WBF), Forum from Representatives entrepreneurship. women’s and help foster in both initiatives. participate actively sector enterprise private the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vital (SMEs) are enterprises medium-sized Small and of sector drivers and significant of the private components the overwhelming represent They growth. jobs and economic one-halffor to two-thirds account majority of firms globally, exports added, and value to and contribute of employment of the importance of SMEs In recognition and innovation. support put in place have MENA economies entrepreneurs, SME enhance environments, business improve to measures to policy access and enhance co-ordination and effectiveness support and enterprise finance services. and entrepreneurship Supporting development SME Fostering infrastructure investment and public service delivery through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

Decision makers worldwide agree on the importance of for the operationalisation of PPPs in Tunisia. The country PPPs in achieving countries’ infrastructure and public adopted a new PPP law in November 2015, building on these service needs. Yet PPPs need a particular framework recommendations. The operationalisation of the Tunisian PPP and the right approach by governments if they are to law will promote transparency, efficiency and effectiveness be successful. The challenge is to ensure that PPPs are of public spending, and will help the government of Tunisia affordable, represent value for money and are transparent. in meeting its public policy development objectives.

Like the rest of the world, the MENA region is facing an Building on the Policy Framework for Investment and infrastructure gap as well as fiscal constraints. The task the OECD Principles for Private Sector Participation is therefore to find a way to deliver growth-enhancing in Infrastructure, the Investment Security in the infrastructure which is both affordable for government Mediterranean (ISMED) Support Programme has provided and users and represents more value for money than the tailored advice to governments in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and traditional way of procuring infrastructure. In the right circumstances, PPPs can deliver on these demands. PPPs are an important tool for decision makers to strengthen economic and social development. By harnessing private sector expertise and allocating risks to the parties best suited to manage them in a cost-effective way, governments can make great strides in ensuring value for money.

The OECD Network of Senior Infrastructure and PPP Officials was established to ensure that PPPs and capital investment projects bring value for money and that potential risks are managed properly. The Network has developed the OECD Principles for Public Governance of PPPs which help to examine institutional capacities, select PPP projects based on value for money and use the ordinary budget process to ensure fiscal sustainability.

The OECD also provides country-specific assessments and policy recommendations to governments wishing to strengthen or build their PPP and infrastructure governance framework through diagnostic tools that help identify strengths and weaknesses. With the support of the MENA Transition Fund, the OECD has provided tailored recommendations and hands-on capacity building to strengthen the legal, institutional and budgetary frameworks

52 . ACTIVE WITH MENA INDUSTRY & INNOVATION 53 . THE REPORTS REPORTS THE SCAN TO TO READ SCAN Forthcoming 2016 Forthcoming www.oecd.org/mena/ INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION AND INDUSTRY partnerships-tunisia.htm competitiveness/public-private- www.oecd.org/gov/budgeting/ppp.htm www.oecd.org/daf/inv/investment-policy/ppp.htm www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness/ismed.htm Tunisia on reducing framework risks of specific infrastructure infrastructure risks of specific framework on reducing Tunisia policy region-wide formulated and/or sectors, projects policy public-private recommendations and organised barriers to PPP investments. on removing workshops dialogue platform for as a , Group the ISMED Working In addition, sought to foster integrated dialogue and co-ordination, and financial tools to policy to innovative approaches region. in the MENA of PPPs facilitate the development ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

54 . ACTIVE WITH MENA ENVIRONMENT &ENERGY

Promoting green growth

Growing concerns over the environment and the depletion achieve green growth in developing countries and includes of non-renewable resources have led governments in examples of activities in Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, developed and emerging economies to reshape their Morocco, and Tunisia. policies. Green growth is about fostering economic growth and development while ensuring that natural assets Green growth is beginning to take root in the MENA region. continue to provide the resources and environmental Morocco and Tunisia are adherents to the OECD Declaration services on which our well-being relies. Fostering green on Green Growth, which is now signed by 42 countries and the growth, a central element of OECD support, is increasingly European Community. Relevant organisations from the MENA recognised in the MENA region as an integral part of region are also encouraged to take part in the Green Growth sustainable development strategies. Knowledge Platform (GGKP). The GGKP is a partnership between the Global Green Growth Institute, the OECD, UNEP, and the Based on the Green Growth Strategy, the OECD advises member World Bank. The GGKP is a global network of researchers and partner economies on integrating green growth policy into and development experts that identifies and addresses major the design and implementation of economic and environmental knowledge gaps in green growth theory and practice. Through policies. The OECD has explored how green growth can be widespread consultation and world-class research, GGKP applied and fostered in contexts. The report provides practitioners and policymakers with better tools Putting Green Growth at the Heart of Development outlines to foster economic growth and to implement sustainable a twin-track agenda for national and international action to development.

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY . 55 Promoting green growth

The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) collects of bankable projects in solar photovoltaic and wind energy. statistics and monitors ODA targeting the global objectives of It focuses in the areas of investment policy; investment the Rio Conventions and local . These data promotion and facilitation; competition policy; financial are publicly available online at the activity-level and can be market policy; public governance; and other cross-cutting sorted by partner country and region – revealing how much aid issues. The case of Jordan illustrates the importance of flows to MENA, together with a range of descriptive information. setting robust policies and predictable targeted incentive Total bilateral aid commitments from DAC members targeting schemes. This review is a country-specific application adaptation and mitigation in the region reached of the OECD Policy Guidance for Investment in Clean USD 1.9 billion on average per year in 2010-13, representing up Energy Infrastructure, which is a non-prescriptive tool to to 25% of the total bilateral ODA portfolio to the region. The UAE help governments identify ways to mobilise private sector is the main provider of climate-related development finance, investment in clean energy infrastructure, especially in reaching up to USD 574 million in 2013 (8% of its ODA). renewable . The Policy Guidance was annexed to the Communiqué of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank The Jordan Clean Energy Investment Policy Review at their meeting in October 2013. (forthcoming, December 2016) aims to help policy makers strengthen the conditions for investment in renewable www.oecd.org/greengrowth electricity generation. It takes stock of recent policy reforms www.oecd.org/dac/environment-development/green-growth- and identifies policy priorities in Jordan and lessons learned for development.htm the MENA region. The report aims to create a stable pipeline www.oecd.org/dac/stats/rioconventions.htm

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56 . ACTIVE WITH MENA ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY 57 . ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT www.oecd.org/environment/cc www.oecd.org/env/cc/ccxg.htm dialogue and enhance understanding between countries on between enhance understanding dialogue and in international climate change issues being discussed technical and include country representatives Participants negotiations. the MENA from including of countries, variety a experts from focuses on transparency currently work CCXG’s The region. within the UNFCCC and support adaptation of mitigation, to support the UNFCCC will continue OECD The framework. of the to the 22nd Conference including in the run-up process, 2016. November on 7-18 place in Morocco taking Parties Since 1993, the OECD, together with International Energy with International Energy together the OECD, Since 1993, through process supporting the UNFCCC has been (IEA), Agency has been which (CCXG), Change Expert Group the Climate change on climate analysis impartial and rigorous providing Global climate change-focused It holds bi-annual issues. and seminars held in an on the Environment—events Forums promote which process informal setting outside of the UNFCCC The OECD has been working across multiple fronts to to multiple fronts across OECD has been working The supportat the both efforts change, to tackle climate and at process the UNFCCC through level international their policies understand and progress to level the state climate-resilient future. a low-emissions, towards climate change climate Combating Combating Improving water governance

Managing scarce freshwater resources and ensuring access to and sanitation is a significant challenge throughout the MENA region.

The OECD held policy dialogues in Jordan and Tunisia to diagnose the main governance and financing challenges to private sector participation in the water supply and wastewater sector and to provide ways forward to address these challenges. Several MENA stakeholders are also engaged actively within the OECD Water Governance Initiative (WGI), an international multi-stakeholder network of more than 100 delegates that gather twice a year in a policy forum. These include the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean, the Union for the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean Institute for Water. The WGI aims to share on-going reforms and good practices in support of better water governance, including across north and south Mediterranean countries.

To help interested MENA countries put in place better water policies, the OECD has developed Principles on Water Governance, which set standards for the more effective, efficient and inclusive design and implementation of water policies and encourage governments to put them into action. The principles were endorsed by OECD Ministers in June 2015 www.oecd.org/governance/oecd-principles-on-water-governance.htm and are available in 15 , including French and Arabic. www.oecd.org/gov/water

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58 . ACTIVE WITH MENA ENVIRONMENT &ENERGY

Ensuring access to reliable and clean energy

Fostering the development of renewable energies is The publication Renewable Energies in the Middle East and important for the creation of jobs, the satisfaction of North Africa: Policies to Support Private Investment makes increasing energy demand and the diversification of the case for a stronger deployment of renewable energies in the the economy. MENA countries need to put in place an region and identifies appropriate support policies to stimulate effective policy framework to attract private investment private investment and achieve the targets and goals defined by in the sector and to reap the benefits of their favourable MENA governments. resource endowment, especially in regards to solar and wind energy. The International Energy Agency’s 2015 Market Report includes an assessment of renewable energy Since 2010, the MENA-OECD Task Force on Energy and prospects in the region. In order to help promote energy Infrastructure works to formulate policy recommendations to efficiency, the IEA has worked with regional organisations, help spur investment in renewable energy in the MENA region, the Arab League and the Regional Centre for Renewable letting policy makers benefit from the private sector’s view and Energy and Energy Efficiency in to formulate a series of experience. The Task Force works to promote green growth and policy recommendations on energy efficiency which can be contributes to the OECD’s Green Growth Strategy, providing disseminated throughout the region. In addition, the Agency tailored recommendations for the Middle East and North Africa. has researched and published an Insights looking at ways

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY . 59 Ensuring access to reliable and clean energy

of supporting and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency in a number of countries, including Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan. This forms part of a wider EBRD-funded project that builds on the IEA methodology for assessing and monitoring the penetration of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

In 2013 and 2014, the IEA conducted an in-depth review of Morocco. The review welcomed Morocco’s efforts to reduce both the energy import and by both diversifying into renewables (wind and solar as well as hydro-power) and by elevating energy efficiency to a national priority. Important steps have also been taken to reduce—and in some cases remove altogether—subsidies on fuels. SCAN TO READ THE REPORTS These are energy challenges which engage all countries in the MENA region. The IEA also remains fully committed to the Producer-Consumer Dialogue and the work of the International Energy Forum in improving the transparency of energy markets. To assist with providing advice on a range of issues such as market trends and policy reform, the IEA now publishes annual Medium-Term Market Reports on both gas and oil markets and comprehensive sets of energy data, including for the MENA region. www.oecd.org/mena/investment/mena-oecdtaskforceonenergy andinfrastructure.htm www.oecd.org/mena/investment/renewable-energies- mena-2013.htm

SCAN TO READ THE REPORTS

60 . ACTIVE WITH MENA ANNEXES

61 A A . P Jordan, A ANNEXES O A P Morocco P

P

P P Morocco P P UAE A

P P Morocco P

P Morocco P

P A A P P Tunisia, Tunisia A A Morocco Morocco P P Board of Participating Countries of the Teaching and learning Teaching of the Countries of Participating Board – Saudi Arabia, Surveyinternational (TALIS) Working Party on Rural Policy – Morocco Party Policy on Rural Working Investment Committee in enlarged session for work related to the to related work session for enlarged in Committee Investment and MNEs – Egypt, investment on international Declaration Morocco, – Morooco Committee Research Transport OECD/ITF Joint Egypt, – Committee Governance Public Officials – Party Government of Senior (E-Leaders) Working Digital Egypt, Officials integrity Party of Senior – Egypt, Working Public Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum – UAE Forum and Sustainable Development Growth Green Roundtable – Egypt, of Investment Freedom Committee Investment A – Associate, P – Participant, O – OtherA – Associate, form of participation Working Party of the Leading Practitioners on Public Procurement – Procurement on Public Practitioners Party of the Leading Working Egypt, – Morocco Committee Policy Development Regional Indicators – Morocco Territorial Party on Working Party – Morocco on Urban Policy Working – Egypt, Committee Tourism Steel Committee – Egypt Committee Steel – Egypt, Party of Government on Centres Working Morocco,

P A A A A UAE P

P Tunisia Morocco, A A P A P Saudi Arabia, A P Morocco, A

P Tunisia A O O Morocco, A A A Tunisia A A A Working Party Safety Product on Consumer Working – Egypt Committee on Consumer Policy – Egypt Policy on Consumer Committee Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Tax for of Information and Exchange Transparency on Global Forum – UAE Purposes and legume Seed Grass – Egypt, Scheme for Global Forum on Environment – UAE on Environment Global Forum – UAE Tax on Global Forum Committee on Digital Economic Policy – Egypt Policy Economic on Digital Committee – Saudi (BEPS) Affairs Arabia on Fiscal Committee Development Assistance Committee – Qatar, Committee Assistance Development – Egypt, Centre of the Development Board Governing Scheme for Crucifer Seed and other Oil or Fiber Species – Egypt, Seed and other Oil or Fiber Crucifer Scheme for Advisory group for Co-operation – UAE Economies for with Partner Advisory group only) – Saudi (main committee Committee Governance Corporate Arabia Competition Committee and all subsidiary Committee bodies – Egypt Competition Scheme for Cereals – Egypt, Cereals Scheme for OECD co-operation with the Middle East and North facilitates Africa of OECD participation in the work countries of Arab a greater participate including projects in OECD bodies, Associates bodies. an for of OECD legal instruments, revision or or the development open-ended as OECD and obligations with the same rights period, take part Participants an open-endedmembers. in OECD bodies for discussions marked in as confidential. except period, PARTICIPATION IN OECD BODIES AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND BODIES OECD IN PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES Annexes Tunisia Morocco, Annexes

ADHERENCE TO OECD LEGAL INSTRUMENTS Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness – Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax matters as Arab Republic, Tunisia, Yemen amended by the Protocol Amending the Convention on Mutual Recommendation of the Council concerning Member Country Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters – Morocco1, Tunisia, Saudi Exceptions to National Treatment and National Treatment related Arabia Measures concerning Investment by established Foreign-Controlled Decision of the Council on Conflicting Requirements being imposed Enterprises – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia on Multinational Enterprises – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia Recommendation of the Council on Digital Government Strategies Decision of the Council on International Investment Incentives and – Egypt, Morocco Disincentives – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia Recommendation of the Council on Due Diligence Guidance for Decision of the Council on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and Enterprises – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia High-Risk Areas – Morocco

Decision of the Council Revising the OECD Scheme for the Application Recommendation of the Council on Member Country Exceptions to of International Standards for Fruit and Vegetables – Morocco National Treatment and Related Measures concerning Access to Local Bank Credit and the Capital Market – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia Decision of the Council Revising the OECD Schemes for the Varietal Certification or the Control of Seed Moving in International Trade – Recommendation of the Council on Member Country Exceptions to Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia National Treatment and National Treatment Related Measures in the Category of Official Aids and Subsidies – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia Declaration for the Future of the Economy (The Seoul Declaration) – Egypt Recommendation of the Council on Member Country Exceptions to National Treatment and National Treatment Related Measures Declaration on Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters concerning the Services Sector – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco – Saudi Arabia Recommendation of the Council on Member Country Measures Declaration on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting – Tunisia concerning National Treatment of Foreign-Controlled Enterprises in Declaration on Green Growth – Morocco, Tunisia OECD Member Countries and Based on Considerations of Public Order and Essential Security Interest – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises – Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia Recommendation of the Council on the Governance of Critical Risks – Morocco, Tunisia Declaration on Propriety, Integrity and Transparency in the Conduct of International Business and Finance – Morocco, Tunisia The Bologna Charter on SME Policies – Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia

Istanbul Ministerial Declaration on Fostering the Growth of Innovative Third Revised Decision of the Council concerning National Treatment and Internationally Competitive SMEs – Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia Morocco, Tunisia 1. Not yet ratified

62 . ACTIVE WITH MENA ANNEXES 63 . ANNEXES News and information about and information News involving and events OECD work the Middle East and North Africa at available are www.oecd.org/mena Discover reports, data and analysis about the Middle and analysis reports, data East and Discover on OECD leading economies North alongside the world’s Africa iLibrary, the global knowledgewww.oecd-ilibrary.org base – The OECD Emerging Markets Network (EMnet) is a business- Network Markets OECD Emerging The trends, of economic dialogue and analysis for platform oriented participationWith of policy and challenges. business strategies, OECD experts, and policy private-sector makers from executives networking EMnet provides and collaboration countries, emerging EMnet holds a meeting opportunities Each year, these sectors. across the participation with on Africa of North EMnet is countries. African Working Global Network of Foundations the Initiative also developing from organisations in which philanthropic (netFWD) Development for members. are and Egypt Emirates Arab United www.tuac.org www.biac.org www.oecd.org/parliamentarians www.oecd.org/dev/oecdemnet.htm www.oecd.org/site/netfwd The involvement of MENA countries in the OECD Global of MENA countries involvement The and Morocco with Jordan is very recent Network Parliamentary Network aims at takingThis part in meetings of the network in 2016. dialogue amongst parlamentarians on the enactingfacilitating and of reforms. implementation Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD Business and Industry to The Advisory Committee advising to devoted business association (BIAC) is an independent by the OECD as recognised and officially policymakers the OECD, at In the MENA region, community. of the OECD business representative participating which has one organisation with Morocco works BIAC du Maroc Générale des Entreprises - Confédération in the committee (CGEM). Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) is an the OECD (TUAC) to Union Advisory Committee Trade The status which has consultative union organisation trade international servingmovement of the labour voice as the official with the OECD, through with the MENA region collaborates TUAC the OECD. at in the the Union Trade of the Arab the integration (ITUC). Union Confederation Trade International DIALOGUE AND DATA AND DIALOGUE OECD Policy Dialogue on -based Dialogue on Natural Development OECD Policy – Morocco Production Chains, Value Dialogue on Global OECD Policy – Morocco and Development Transformation Development” and Migration Policy, Public between “Interrelations Morocco EU) – DEV, project (OECD CTP) and – Morocco DEV, project (OECD in Africa” Statistics “Revenue Tunisia EU) – Jordan DEV, project (OECD Inclusion” “Youth PARTICIPATION IN INITIATIVES AND NETWORKS AND INITIATIVES IN PARTICIPATION

The OECD: A Global Policy Network

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development The OECD Member countries are: , , , Brochure design by baselinearts.co.uk (OECD) is an international organisation helping governments tackle , Chile, the , , Estonia, , France, the economic, social and governance challenges of a globalised , , , , Ireland, , , , Korea, , economy. It provides a setting where governments can compare , Mexico, the , , , , policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good Portugal, the Slovak Republic, , Spain, Sweden, , practice and work to co-ordinate domestic and international policies. Turkey, the and the of America. Global Relations Secretariat OECD, 2 rue André Pascal 75775 Paris Cedex 16 France www.oecd.org/globalrelations [email protected] www.oecd.org/MENA September 2016