Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Mustafa Babiker

Author

Mustafa Babiker
Economist at the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran

Mustafa Babiker is an economist at the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran, and a Research Associate with the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change. His Ph.D. is in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Content by this Author

Climate change policy in MENA after Paris

The Paris Agreement on climate change has set ambitious targets for reducing the carbon footprints of the signatory countries. This column outlines the commitments and challenges for policy-makers in the Middle East and North Africa.

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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.

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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