A New Middle East: Investing Where It Matters Most

This Issue Brief by CHF International emphasizes the need to invest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, especially in youth, entrepreneurs, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It discusses CHF International's work in MENA in the areas of microfinance, SME financing, and fully-banking SMEs.The Brief states that the political and social changes taking place in MENA offer opportunities to address the economic disparity and lack of opportunity faced by the majority of the population. SMEs in MENA still suffer from lack of financing, despite a number of interventions, and credit enhancement schemes. Challenges to investment in the MENA region include barriers in the policy and legal environment, business environment, and inadequate focus on youth. The Brief highlights the need to:

• Invest in the young, the entrepreneurial, and small business owners with potential to grow and create jobs for the next generation;
• Engage with both policy makers and young entrepreneurs, to work toward permanent change;
• Place more emphasis on the enabling legal, policy, and business environment to better address the needs of the young population.