Myth and Reality of Women's Entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa Region

Nadereh Chamlou Senior Advisor, Economic & Sector Work and Regional Gender Coordinator, Office of the Chief Economist, Middle East and North Africa Region, World Bank
In most countries, women's entrepreneurship is associated with micro-finance and less sophisticated operations. This is not the case in the Middle East and North Africa region where the characteristics and performance of women-owned firms defy commonly held misperceptions. A new World Bank study on the Environment of Women's Entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa Region presents new evidence of the extent and nature of women's entrepreneurship as well as the barriers that prevent it from reaching its
potential.