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The Arab Gulf States and the Knowledge Economy: Challenges and Opportunities

As the GCC countries strive to compete in the 21st century, they face a number of challenges, including fluctuating oil and gas prices, economic diversification, and the need to build up human capital and create jobs for GCC nationals.

Mahfouz E. Tadros
The Arab Gulf States and the Knowledge Economy: Challenges and Opportunities

Executive Summary

As the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strive to compete in the 21st century, they face a number of challenges, including fluctuating oil and gas prices, economic diversification, and the need to build up human capital and create jobs for GCC nationals. To address these challenges, the Arab Gulf states are embarking on knowledge-based economic development.

To improve human capital, GCC states have made generous investments in financing education at all levels, telecommunication infrastructure and services, and Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). There is room, however, to maximize benefits from these investments, and there are many opportunities for GCC states to benefit from knowledge-based economic development. A business-friendly environment, including transparent regulations, financing mechanisms, and venture capital, is required to create jobs for GCC nationals and to encourage young entrepreneurs and innovators to commercialize proven research output and innovative ideas.

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Through its careful examination of the forces shaping the evolution of Gulf societies and the new generation of emerging leaders, AGSIW facilitates a richer understanding of the role the countries in this key geostrategic region can be expected to play in the 21st century.

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