"Narrative Summit" Releases 2025 Recommendations to Cement Egypt's Position as a Global Tourism Destination    Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



World Bank urges development for Mideast's poor
Published in Daily News Egypt on 16 - 06 - 2010

DUBAI: The World Bank on Tuesday urged Mideast countries to invest more in their impoverished rural areas instead of relying on subsidies and mega-projects to alleviate inequalities in the region.
The organization's recommendation, outlined in a report, underscored the shifting demographics of the region — one where experts say rapidly expanding economies have shifted governments' focus to urban areas at the expense of the rural lands that for centuries formed the backbone of the region.
It said Middle East and North African governments can use a mixture of policy decisions and targeted investments, rather than big-ticket projects and subsidies, to raise living standards for citizens living in less developed areas.
"Big spending … is not the answer on its own. We know that from global experience," Alex Kremer, who authored the World Bank study, said in an interview. "The benefits are temporary and it's not cost-effective."
Citizens of the Middle East are quickly moving to cities in search of jobs, though rural areas remain mired with low-level employment and poverty, according to the World Bank. It says countries in the region on average have swung from being 65 percent rural in 1960 to 65 percent urban in 2007.
The Washington-based body outlined a three-pronged approach to reduce the gap between poorer areas, often in the countryside, and more developed parts of the Middle East.
Specifically, it recommends "leveling the playing field" by investing in people living in areas that have historically been neglected, such as by providing more education for girls.
The bank also calls for improved links between better-off areas and poorer ones. That includes the creation of improved transportation and trade ties, as well as better communication and computer networks.
"Let's make sure people who live in lagging areas have access to areas where development can take place," Kremer said. "That means nowadays, more than ever, public transportation and information technology."
The bank also calls on governments to coordinate development projects with local leaders and the private sector.
Shamshad Akhtar, the World Bank's regional vice president, said the report aims to provide governments with a framework to give residents outside booming cities a chance to share in development gains.
The report, titled "Poor Places, Thriving People: How the Middle East and North Africa Can Rise Above Spatial Disparities," was released Tuesday in Dubai.
It covers Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, the West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen. The Arab Gulf states were excluded because their wealthy oil-fueled economies differ so much from the rest of the region.


Clic here to read the story from its source.