Only 20% of companies in the Middle East are run by women against 32% in Europe

Statistics released by the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD indicate that only 20% of companies in the Middle East and North Africa region are run by women compared to 32% in OECD countries of Europe.  These statistics were released during the OECD-MENA Women's Business Forum on nurturing entrepreneurship and improving women's access to services and financing, which was organised by MENA-OECD Investment Programme in Rabat early this month.  The event aimed at reviewing mechanisms that would potentially strengthen women’s economic role in the region as well as assess the experience of women entrepreneur and their role in economic development.  The forum also sought to identify the optimal means to address obstacles facing women entrepreneurs in accessing financing as well as services offered by various support initiatives and identify the action plan of the Forum in 2014.
The seminar extended over two days during which participants discussed various subjects such as the role of ICTs in developing women entrepreneurship, women entrepreneur's access to support services, the participation of women in the private and public sectors as well as other related subjects.
The President of the Forum, Birgitta Holst Alani noted that the organisation of this event coincides with the unprecedented transformation in the MENA region and should lead into the creation of larger economic opportunities for women.  Alani also noted that although women in the region are both intelligent and active, yet this is not reflected in local economies as only 24% of MENA women are active in the economy compared to an average of 51% in other small and middle income countries of the world.
Source: Al-Diyar 9 December 2013