Akin to all other parts of the world, uncertainty reigns in the Arabian Peninsula with the unpredictable course of the war in Ukraine and the scientific uncertainty about the evolutionary path of the COVID-19 virus. Despite a favorable milieu and optimism prevailing amidst the business leaders in the Middle East, the chances look better only for a partial economic recovery this year. However, with businesses slowly coming out of their panic mode, there is increasing optimism among consumers, despite 62 percent of households in the

whole region experiencing a contraction in their income. It's also relatively safe to say that the catalyst to the recovery will be new entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial vision.

According to the World Bank's forecasts, the economies in the Middle East and North Africa(MENA)region are expected to grow by 5.2 percent this year, the fastest rate since 2016, on the back of oil-price windfalls benefitting the region's oil exporters. The war and the virus could still influence this trend.

It's getting increasingly clear that the complete recovery would take time in the region, just like the rest of the world. The private sector has enormous responsibilities on its shoulders. Smart operational strategies would reduce the leaders' pressure, not to mention the significant need to leverage IT in the process. While the government continues to render support, the private sector in the Middle East must keep its focus on the dynamic technology world and bring home the right technologies to propel the growth factor. Let us know your opinion.