In developed countries, SMEs represent up to 80% of national economic activity. Thus, SMEs are potentially the largest source of national employment growth and economic activity. Moreover, successful SME creation helps develop and sustain an independent national middle class. An independent, creative and proactive middle class is a prerequisite for responsible democratization because successful entrepreneurs identify with a national collective interest to identify with.

The Middle East is today at the center of global economic change. Regional governments, even oil producing ones, are increasingly unable to act as the single engine of growth in their respective economies. Thus, there is a requirement to transition from public sector dominated economies towards economies which are increasingly represented by private sector involvement, exports, innovation and growth.