Middle East and North Africa

Cradle of Civilization

The region is not only home to the remains of the world's oldest civilizations, but offers also a lot of potential for the future: from a digitally skilled youth with innovative ideas to deserts full of solar panels and fields full of biological vegetables. Moreover, each country has its own economic vision for the future, in which welcoming foreign companies and trade is a core element.

The Middle East and North Africa is not only huge (2.5 times the EU), but also economically very divers. Some countries depend on oil rents, while for others foreign trade is their main source of income. While in one agriculture is the most important national employer, the other country focuses on high-end industry and manufacturing. However, all offer opportunities for foreign companies.

Although the region is politically and economically connected through the Arab League and GAFTA, in practice some groups of countries cooperate and trade more with each other than with other countries. The Gulf states are a well-known example, but also Tunisia, Algeria and Libya have strong (trade) bonds. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are among the most influential countries in the region.

More information about promising sectors in Egypt and our business services can be found in our sector overview and services overview.

Data Population (WB database '17), Economy (IMF database '17, WB database '17, XE.com '19, Ease of Doing Business '18, Global Competitiveness Report '18), Investment (World Investment Report '18), International (IMF database '18)

Photo: Robert Haandrikman