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The status of bank lending to SMES in the Middle East and North Africa region : the results of a joint survey of the Union of Arab Bank and the World Bank

Author

Listed:
  • Rocha, Roberto
  • Farazi, Subika
  • Khouri, Rania
  • Pearce, Douglas

Abstract

Among the principal constraints for SME lending is the lack of SME transparency, poor credit information from credit registries and bureaus, and weak creditor rights. If constraints can be addressed, lending can potentially reach bank targets of 21 percent. State banks still play an important role in financing SMEs in the MENA region, but they use less sophisticated risk management systems than private banks. On another hand, credit guarantee schemes are a popular form of support to SME finance in the region, and are associated with higher levels of SME lending. The paper concludes that MENA policy makers should prioritize improvements in financial infrastructure, including greater coverage and depth of credit bureaus, improvements in the collateral regime (especially for movable assets), and increased competition between banks and also non-banks. Weaknesses in insolvency regimes and credit reporting systems should also be alleviated. Direct policy interventions through public banks, guarantee schemes, lower reserve requirements and subsidized lending and other measures have played a role in compensating for MENA's weak financial infrastructure, but more sustainable structural solutions are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Rocha, Roberto & Farazi, Subika & Khouri, Rania & Pearce, Douglas, 2011. "The status of bank lending to SMES in the Middle East and North Africa region : the results of a joint survey of the Union of Arab Bank and the World Bank," Policy Research Working Paper Series 5607, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:5607
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Anzoategui Diego & Martinez Peria Maria S. & Rocha Roberto R, 2010. "Bank Competition in the Middle East and Northern Africa Region," Review of Middle East Economics and Finance, De Gruyter, vol. 6(2), pages 26-48, November.
    3. Edward I. Altman & Gabriele Sabato, 2013. "MODELING CREDIT RISK FOR SMEs: EVIDENCE FROM THE US MARKET," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Oliviero Roggi & Edward I Altman (ed.), Managing and Measuring Risk Emerging Global Standards and Regulations After the Financial Crisis, chapter 9, pages 251-279, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
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    1. Nikolić Nenad & Jovanović Ivan & Nikolić Đorđe & Mihajlović Ivan & Schulte Peter, 2019. "Investigation of the Factors Influencing SME Failure as a Function of Its Prevention and Fast Recovery after Failure," Entrepreneurship Research Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 9(3), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Mahmoud Nabi & Taoufik Rajhi, 2013. "Banking, contract enforcement and economic growth," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 60(1), pages 83-100, March.
    3. Caroline Krafft, 2016. "Understanding the Dynamics of Household Enterprises in Egypt: Birth, Death, Growth and Transformation," Working Papers 983, Economic Research Forum, revised Mar 2016.
    4. Issa, Samah & Girardone, Claudia & Snaith, Stuart, 2022. "Banking competition, convergence and growth across macro-regions of MENA," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 534-549.
    5. Philippe Adair & Imène Berguiga, 2020. "Is Bank Loan Funding to SMEs in North Africa a Matter of Size?," Proceedings of Economics and Finance Conferences 10913130, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.
    6. Piotr Kozarzewski & Richard Woodward & Mehdi Safavi, 2012. "Background Report on Private Sector Development in Latin America, the Post-Communist Countries of Europe and Asia, the Middle East and North Africa," CASE Network Studies and Analyses 434, CASE-Center for Social and Economic Research.
    7. Mirzaei, Ali & Al-Khouri, Ritab Salem Farhan, 2016. "The resilience of oil-rich economies to the global financial crisis: Evidence from Kuwaiti financial and real sectors," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 93-108.
    8. Azzah Al-Maskari & Majed Al-Maskari & Mansoor Alqanoobi & Siraj Kunjumuhammed, 2019. "Internal and external obstacles facing medium and large enterprises in Rusayl Industrial Estates in the Sultanate of Oman," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 9(1), pages 1-20, December.
    9. Imène Berguiga & Philippe Adair, 2022. "Funding female entrepreneurs in MENA countries (2013-2019): self-selection and discrimination," Erudite Working Paper 2022-05, Erudite.
    10. Geginat, Carolin & Saltane, Valentina, 2016. "“Open for Business?” —Transparent government and business regulation," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 1-21.
    11. Mohieldin , Mahmoud & Rostom , Ahmed & Fu, Xiaochen & Iqbal, Zamir, 2012. "The Role of Islamic Finance in Enhancing Financial Inclusion in Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Countries," Islamic Economic Studies, The Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), vol. 20, pages 55-120.
    12. Geginat, Carolin & Saltane, Valentina, 2014. "Transparent government and business regulation :"open for business?"," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7132, The World Bank.
    13. Ali , Abd Elrahman Elzahi Saaid, 2014. "The Challenges of Islamic Trade Finance in Promoting SMEs in IDB Member Countries," Working Papers 1435-6, The Islamic Research and Teaching Institute (IRTI).
    14. Philippe Adair & Imène Berguiga, 2021. "Exogenous vs. endogenous obstacles to funding female entrepreneurs in MENA countries," Erudite Working Paper 2021-13, Erudite.
    15. Saqib Muneer & azhar Ali & Rao Abrar Ahmad, 2017. "Impact of Financing on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Profitability with Moderating Role of Islamic Finance," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 9(2), pages 25-32.
    16. Philippe Adair & Imène Berguiga, 2020. "Is Loan Funding to Businesses in North Africa a Matter of Size?," Erudite Working Paper 2020-04, Erudite.

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    Keywords

    Banks&Banking Reform; Access to Finance; Debt Markets; Financial Intermediation; Bankruptcy and Resolution of Financial Distress;
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