{"product_id":"9781464804069","title":"Jobs or Privileges: Unleashing the Employment Potential of the Middle East and North Africa","description":"The report Jobs or Privileges: Unleashing the Employment Potential of the Middle East and North Africa\u003cbr\u003eshows that policies that lower competition and create an uneven playing field are common and\u003cbr\u003econstrain private sector job creation. These policies take different forms across countries and sectors\u003cbr\u003ebut share several common features: They limit free entry in the domestic market, exclude certain firms\u003cbr\u003efrom government programs, increase regulatory burden and uncertainty on the majority of firms,\u003cbr\u003einsulate certain firms and sectors from foreign competition, and create incentives that discourage\u003cbr\u003edomestic firms from competing in international markets.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJobs or Privileges demonstrates that these policies are often captured by a few privileged firms with\u003cbr\u003edeep political connections and persist despite their cost to society. As such, MENA countries face a\u003cbr\u003ecritical choice as they strive to generate greater private sector growth and more jobs: promote\u003cbr\u003ecompetition, provide equal opportunities for all entrepreneurs, and dismantle the current system of\u003cbr\u003eprivileges for connected firms or risk perpetuating the current equilibrium of low job creation.\u003cbr\u003eHowever, the millions of workers, consumers, and the majority of entrepreneurs who bear the brunt of\u003cbr\u003ethat cost are often unaware of the adverse effects of such policies on the jobs and economic\u003cbr\u003eopportunities to which they aspire. This lack of information and awareness limits the scope for the\u003cbr\u003einternal debate and policy dialogue necessary for reform.","brand":"World Bank Publications","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47166566924528,"sku":"9781464804069","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781464804069","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}