Startups could help solve Mideast’s economicwoes

dead sea, jordan » Digital startups run by young Arab entrepreneurs took center stage Saturday at the World Economic Forum, where participants said private sector-driven growth is key to solving the Middle East’s stark economic problems, including 30 percent youth unemployment.

More than 1,100 politicians and business people came together for the forum’s regional meeting. Among them were EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, CEOS from the region and the founders of 100 startups from the Arab world.

The forum’s regional meeting was held as President Donald Trump, whose young administration is engulfed in controversy, began his first international trip with a visit to Saudi Arabia. In coming days, Trump is to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories before heading to Europe.

Mogherini said that Europe does “not see eye to eye” with the Trump administration on major issues such as trade, climate change and funding of U.N. agencies, but can “easily” work with the U.S. on the conflicts in Syria and between Israelis and Palestinians.

Europe’s top diplomat warned that threatenedu.s. cuts in funding U.N. agencies or humanitarian work “would create a major security issue worldwide, including in Europe.”

The Syria refugee crisis has highlighted the link between aid and security. Hundreds of thousands of civil war refugees have migrated to Europe after facing increasingly difficult conditions in regional host countries, where cashstrapped aid agencies have struggled to provide basic support.

Iraqi President Fuad Masum called on investors to come to his country and help with reconstruction efforts.