2013年-世界发展银行全球_Middle_East_and_North_Africa_Regional_Brief_4页_742kb

MENA Knowledge and Learning Summary - October 2013

Core Content

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region experienced significant political changes and transitions in 2013, marked by continued instability and the impact of the Syrian conflict. The World Bank Group responded with a new framework for engagement, focusing on four main pillars to address the region's evolving needs and challenges.

Main Points

Political Changes and Challenges

• Syria Crisis: The conflict in Syria has intensified, leading to a large influx of refugees into Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq, which has placed immense pressure on public resources and stability.
• Egypt and Tunisia: Egypt changed its transition path after the ousting of its first democratically elected president, while Tunisia continued its transition with a national dialogue to draft a new constitution.
• Unemployment and Economic Weakness: High unemployment, especially among youth, persists across the region. Political instability and economic decline have harmed public and foreign investments, particularly in labor-intensive sectors.

Regional Outlook

• Growth Decline: In 2013, MENA's growth rate is expected to slow to 2.8%, down from 5.6% in 2012, but is projected to strengthen to 4% in 2014.
• Key Challenges: Weak macroeconomic fundamentals, fiscal vulnerabilities, and external deficits are short-term issues. Long-term challenges include structural problems that existed before the Arab Spring, such as lack of inclusive growth and job creation.

Regional Strategy

• New Engagement Framework: The World Bank Group has developed a new regional strategy based on four pillars:
  1. Strengthening Governance: Promoting transparency and accountability to create responsive and accountable states.
  2. Increasing Social and Economic Inclusion: Supporting disadvantaged groups, including women and minorities.
  3. Creating Jobs: Focusing on youth and women through an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and innovation.
  4. Accelerating Sustainable Growth: Encouraging climate-friendly growth and managing natural resource pressures.
• Cross-Cutting Themes: Emphasis on gender equality, regional integration, and a competitive private sector.

Key Reports and Initiatives

• Jobs for Shared Prosperity: Focuses on reforms to stimulate growth and employment, with a clear path from education to work.
• The Way Forward for Social Safety Nets: Proposes shifting from universal subsidies to targeted cash transfers for better poverty reduction.
• Opening Doors: Addresses gender equality and development in the MENA region.
• From Political to Economic Awakening: Analyzes how external partners can support political and economic transformations.
• Building Effective Employment Programs for Unemployed Youth: Proposes reforms through strong partnerships.
• Fairness and Accountability: Engaging in Health Systems in MENA: Aims to build inclusive and accountable health systems.

Recent Results

Social Inclusion

• Morocco: US$100 million in support of the Human Development program improved local governance and access to infrastructure and services.

Private Sector Development

• Egypt: 4,000 micro and small enterprises benefited from expanded credit access; 1,000 rural women received financial support for business development.

Energy Efficiency

• Tunisia: A US$8.5 million GEF project reduced CO2 emissions by 710,333 tons and increased competitiveness through energy efficiency.

Governance

• Tunisia: US$500 million project helped accelerate economic recovery and promote transparency with an online open budget platform and reduced red tape.

Education

• Djibouti: A US$10 million project expanded school access for over 7,000 children and improved the quality of the curriculum.

Water and Sanitation

• Gaza: A US$31 million project improved water quality and services for 1.6 million people and established an autonomous water utility.

Urban Transport

• Beirut: A project improved traffic control, reduced congestion, and enhanced on-street parking management, improving productivity and air quality.

Solid Waste Management

• Morocco: Ongoing support improved waste governance, increasing garbage collection coverage to 66% of the urban population and boosting sanitary landfill use by 22%.

Partnerships

• The World Bank Group has expanded its partnerships with various donors, including the UN, regional development banks, and the private sector, emphasizing the importance of civil society and inclusive dialogue.

Contact Information

• Gerard A. Byam, Director, Strategy and Operations, MENA Region, The World Bank
• Preeti S. Ahuja, Manager, MNADE Regional Quick Notes Team
• Omer Karasapan and Roby Fields
• Tel #: (202) 473 8177

The MNA Quick Notes summarize lessons learned from Bank activities but do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank, its Board, or member countries.