Resource information
This book analyzes the development of
knowledge-based economies in the Middle East and North
Africa (MENA). Its principal messages are: Because of the
so-called "knowledge revolution" resulting from
the rapid growth in information and communication
technologies (ICT), the acceleration of technical change and
the intensification of globalization, a new form of economic
development is taking shape worldwide. The knowledge
revolution presents MENA countries with challenges and
opportunities. They need to take advantage of this new
source of growth and employment. To date, related
investments in education, information infrastructure,
research and development (R&D), and innovation have been
insufficient or inappropriate in most MENA countries.
Moreover, inadequate economic and institutional frameworks
prevent these investments from yielding desired results.
MENA countries risk falling further behind in the world
economy. Urgent action is needed to advance structural
reform and to intensify and adapt knowledge-related
investments. These messages concur with those of two
important recent reports on Arab economies by the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 2002) and the World
Economic Forum (2003). While there seems to be agreement on
what needs to be done in the region, the question of how to
achieve the desired results is unfortunately often left
unexplored. This is to be the focus of further World Bank conferences.
