MENA-OECD ENTERPRISE FINANCING NETWORK
“Linking Innovative Entrepreneurs with Investors”
by
Charles Kovacs
Vice Chairman, Committee on Non-Member Economies, BIAC
charles.kovacs@hidradiort.hu
Dubai, UAE
21 March 2007
THE INVESTORS
• Rapid growth of private equity, hedge funds
venture capital, private investors
• Less risk averse than traditional investment
funds, mutual funds
• Appearance of funds and institutions
specialising in developing countries; some even
in high risk countries, BUT
• Number of investment proposals
always exceeds available fundsand
expert personnel of investors
WHAT DO INVESTORS LIKE TO AID
THE INVESTMENT DECISION PROCESS?
• Good presentations = comparative advantage
• Presentations should be short, clear,
neat, and focused
- Demonstrate commitment
- Business plans should be
austere, and include clearly
visible assumptions
- Use language of investor
- Provide detailed background and
back-up data for presentation
THE FUTURE
Entrepreneurs are the most effective agents of
growth,development, and modernisation
Entrepreneurs need a business-friendly
environment, and capital; the former is essential
for the latter
High risk countries will continue to attract only a
very small share of available investment, foreign or
domestic
Refocusing of foreign aid to leverage private
investment, especially in SME and entrepreneurial
firms to speed economic growth and progress