Vol 2, Issue 2 Governance and Economic Growth: Lessons Learned, and the Tasks Ahead Mustapha K. Nabli: Former World Bank Chief Economist of the MENA Region by Rami G. Khouri WASHINGTON D.C – In recent years, economists, political scientists and development specialists have identified a clear relationship between good governance and equitable, sustainable economic growth. Yet, these same analysts have not identified the precise nature or sequence of governance reforms needed to promote good outcomes and successful development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Read more... 
Complete Interview with Mustapha K. Nabli, Former World Bank Chief Economist for the MENA Region Q. Looking back at all of your years in the Middle East and the research you've done on the various dimensions, whether its growth, equity, or sustainability . Do you have two or three broad conclusions you've come to specifically about the relationship between good governance and economic growth, equity, and sustainability? A. The thinking on the link between governance and economic and social development has emerged on two tracks: on the work we've done on the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, and the work done worldwide. I think they have run in parallel, and the analysis on the thinking on MENA has really gone hand-in-hand with the evolution of the thinking at the global level. Read more... Previous Newsmaker Interviews Vol 2, Issue 1 Fighting Corruption Requires Governance Reforms Alongside Criminal Clampdown H.E Muhiyeddeen Touq, Former Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs; Vice Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee for the Negotiation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), Jordan by Rami G. Khouri AMMAN: A Jordanian minister who is one of the key figures behind the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) believes the convention has sparked a global movemement whose success will require progress on two simultaneous fronts: establishing independent corruption-fighting bodies while also implementing broad public sector reforms. Read more... 
Complete Interview with H.E Muhiyeddeen Touq, Former Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs, Jordan Q. How did you personally get involved in the anti-corruption movement? When did it first become an issue that you started dealing with, and what did you start doing? A. My interest started in 1995, when I first become Minister for Administrative Development in Jordan. At that time, I started developing a strategy for reform of the public sector, and one parameter was fighting corruption. At that time, the whole concept was new, not only in Jordan, but also worldwide. Even within the World Bank, the word 'corruption' was some sort of a taboo. Then they started coming in gradually, speaking of 'good governance,' transparency, and things like that. But they were a bit surprised when I asked for their help. They sent me two experts. Read more... Vol. 1, Issue 1 Comprehensive, Coordinated Strategy Drove Egypt’s Investment Boost H.E. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Minister of Investment, Egypt by Rami G. Khouri CAIRO: Three years of sustained economic and administrative reforms have seen Egypt join the leaders among Arab economies pursuing investment-fuelled growth. One of the key people responsible for the feat points to three principle reasons for the success to date: a comprehensive reform strategy across all sectors; strict and structured coordination in both planning and implementation of reforms; and, consistent leadership from the top that was able to motivate employees and persist despite harsh criticism. Read more ... 
Complete Interview with H.E. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Minister of Investment, Egypt Q. What really interests us are the lessons learned in the process of achieving administrative and economic reform in Egypt. At the very beginning of this process—basically in 2004, when the ministry was set up and you were brought into the government—when you look back on it, what was the actual driving force for the reforms? Was it personalities, was it pressures internally, or external pressure? What was the real driving force that pushed you and your colleagues to work on issues like the registration of businesses and the one stop shop. A. Well it was basically a mix of many things. When we started in July 2004 as a new team in the government, we found that there are many reasons for the deterioration of the economic performance, the increase in the unemployment rate, the decline in economic growth. Read more ... |
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