Zeinab Awad

Abstract

Since the mid - 1970s the promotion of private sector development and free trade has been identified by the Egyptian government, academics and the international development community as the most ideal path for achieving sustainable development, growth and prosperity. This in turn has increased awareness of the importance of Micro and Small Enterprises (M/SEs), and their potential as one of the most viable engines for growth. As a consequence, providing M/SEs with incentives and removing the obstacles that inhibit their growth have been identified among the priority areas for government intervention. This thesis argues that in spite of the extensive efforts undertaken and resources allocated for M/SEs development, the Egyptian government has not been very successful in formulating a strategy that has the capacity to bring about the desired outcome. This derives from a number of interrelated problematic issues including the absence of a unified defining criteria, inadequate techniques for information gathering and analysis as well as the high level of informality enjoyed by M/SEs. All these factors combine to produce a high level of confusion and affect negatively stakeholders' general understanding of the sector and its dynamics. At the same time the overall legislative and regulatory environment in terms of registration and operational procedures, structure of the financial system, tax system etc. is not conducive to M/SEs development. Furthermore, an investigation of the draft M/SEs development law, that is currently being reviewed by the Egyptian Parliament. indicates that the government's future plans still do not address the core obstacles facing the sector. The Thesis, therefore, suggests· that a radical change in approach that moves away from direct government intervention and focuses on reforming the regulators environment and at the same time provides civil society with the opportunity to expand its role in the activities of the M/SEs, could prove more successful in alleviating many nr the obstacles they face.

School

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department

Political Science Department

Degree Name

MA in Political Science

Date of Award

6-1-2004

Online Submission Date

1-1-2004

First Advisor

Pandeli Glavanis

Committee Member 1

Pandeli Glavanis

Committee Member 2

Ibrahim Nur

Committee Member 3

Abdel Aziz Ezz ElArab

Document Type

Thesis

Extent

115 leaves

Library of Congress Subject Heading 1

Small business

Rights

The American University in Cairo grants authors of theses and dissertations a maximum embargo period of two years from the date of submission, upon request. After the embargo elapses, these documents are made available publicly. If you are the author of this thesis or dissertation, and would like to request an exceptional extension of the embargo period, please write to thesisadmin@aucegypt.edu

Call Number

Thesis 2004/46

Location

mgfth

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