Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Houda Haffoudhi

Author

Houda Haffoudhi
Associate Professor, Gabes University

Houda Haffoudhi, PhD, is an associate professor at Gabes University, Tunisia in the Economics Program within the Higher Institute of management. She received an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the Paris School of Economics. Her work has addressed topics related Public and Political Economy, environmental Economy and Informal economy. She has published articles in Energy Economy, Journal of the Knowledge Economy. She is a member of MASE-Laboratory. Prior to joining GU, she was assistant professor at the Faculty of Economics and Management of Nabeul and Director of its Master of economic and financial engineering. She was a member of the WTO-chair. Dr. Haffoudhi is actually a member of the ETF Skills Lab Network.

Content by this Author

Financial development, corruption and informality in MENA

Reducing the extent of informality in the Middle East and North Africa would help to promote economic growth. This column reports evidence on how corruption and financial development influence the size of the informal economy in countries across the region. The efficiency of the financial sector in MENA economies reduces the corruption incentive for firms to seek to join and stay in the formal sector.

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Untapped talent, unrealised growth: jobs and women in the MENAAP region

Only around one in five women of working age participate in the labour markets of the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan. As this column explains, the region can no longer afford to leave half its human capital underused. Expanding women’s labour force participation is central to growth and resilience in the face of looming demographic change.

Closing the gender gap in political participation in MENA

Women across the Middle East and North Africa participate less than men in politics – not only in political parties and elections, but also in petitions, boycotts, protests and strikes. This column reports evidence from ten countries showing that differences in education, employment and political attitudes explain part of this disparity, yet a significant gender gap remains.

Labour demand and informal employment in Egypt’s manufacturing sector

Egypt’s manufacturing sector faces a dual challenge of weak job creation and persistent informality. Drawing on survey evidence on business behaviour and labour market dynamics, this column explains why job creation is limited and informal work remains such an integral part of how firms organise production. The generation of more formal jobs requires a comprehensive policy approach, one that goes beyond enforcement of labour regulations to reshape the economic environment in which firms and workers make decisions.

Challenges of conflict and industrial policy for development

How effective is industrial policy as a tool for long-term economic growth and development? Against the backdrop of the conflict currently engulfing the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP), a new report argues that while industrial policies are widely used across the region, they can only address market failures and foster growth when they are aligned with country capabilities, implemented with accountability and backed by capable institutions.




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