Challenges

・ Labor market challenges

o Nationalization policies

o Dominant public sector

o Differences of working conditions between public and private sectors

・ Lack of competitiveness

・ Lack of infrastructure for research and development

・ Lack of skilled workers

・ Education system

・ High regulation

Opportunities

・ Young population

・ Governments’ support for entrepreneurs

・ Prospected liberalization of banking system

・ Existence of resources and conditions that may lead to comparative advantage in non-oil sectors

・ Centrally planned but market friendly policies