Diploma Thesis from the year 2009 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: Sehr Gut, University of Vienna, language: English, abstract: English: In today´s business world corporate governance has become one of the most discussed and most important matters. Corporate governance criteria have been put right in the middle of investment decisions - especially in emerging markets. In addition to that, a series of events like business scandals, financial crises or business failures in the last 20 years has made corporate governance a key point in the business community in emerging markets, developing countries and economies in transition. There exists no general definition for the term corporate governance. Basically it can be viewed as a set of principles and rules by which a company is directed and controlled. Many countries have developed good corporate governance principles to improve the relationship between the shareholders of a company and the management. Factors like financial disclosure, more rights for shareholders and independent boards are crucial for investors who are looking for a stable growth of companies. Countries in the MENA region have put the implementation of such sound corporate governance codes in the middle of their agenda. Their aim is to create better economies and consequently a more attractive investment climate for possible investors in the future. This thesis tries to give the reader an insight into today´s state of corporate governance in the Middle East and North Africa countries. The discussion is based on a survey which has been undertaken by the Hawkamah Institute for corporate governance in Dubai which focuses on the establishment of good corporate governance codes in this region.