Challenge to create jobs in the Gulf
The International Finance Corporation, a branch of the World Bank that supports the private sector, says the Middle East region needs to create 6.5 m jobs each year.
Small businesses play an important part in this, but also face big hurdles - bank loans to start ups make up just 8% of all lending in the region.
Middle East Business report spoke to Dimitris Tsitsiragos, vice president IFC MENA, to find out about a $400 m fund to try and boost small businesses.