Mid Term Review of the MENA-OECD Investment Programme

The MENA-OECD Investment Programme was launched in 2005 at the request of the Middle East and North African (MENA) governments to support policy reform for growth and employment. It promotes reforms to enhance the investment climate, modernise the business environment, and strengthen regional and international partnerships, with a view of promoting regional integration, economic development and job creation in the MENA region. Sweden has been supporting the programme since its second phase that ran from 2008 to 2010. The third phase supported by a Swedish grant of SEK 45.2 million runs from 2011 to 2015.

The Mid-Term Review of the OECD-MENA Investment Programme 2011-2015 was contracted by Sida during 2013 to assist it, as the lead donor, to follow up the re-shaping of the support under the Programme. Its other purpose is to provide objective comments to both Sida and OECD on the results of the Investment Programme so far. The Embassy of Sweden in Cairo commissioned the review as the support to OECD is part of its Regional Programme for the Middle East and North Africa.

The scope of work of the Mid-Term Review was limited to focus on the transition countries. Thus while, particularly at the regional level, OECD-MENA Investment Programme works with the other countries, those are not part of this Review except where region-wide activities are discussed. Also the Review is chiefly focused on the period 2011-2015.