Columnist

For many years, countries in the Middle East have been shifting their economies away from oil-based revenues toward knowledge-based economies fueled by technology, science, and innovation.

Many nations today credit their success partly to the contributions of foreign workers. History is replete with migrant luminaries who have made stellar achievements in diverse fields, such as economics, entrepreneurship, medicine, science, sports, journalism, and the arts.

The cooperative movement first started in 1844 in the English town of Rochdale. Living conditions were harsh at the time with basic food items — such as flour, sugar, butter, milk, and oats — too expensive for individuals.