IMF REO Update - Arising from the Pandemic

Overview

The path to recovery in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is expected to be long and divergent. The economic outlook will vary significantly across countries, depending on the race between vaccine and virus, as well as on underlying fragilities and policy responses. While a better-than-expected external backdrop is helping to support the recovery, there is significant uncertainty surrounding the outlook, and countries with large and increased financing needs will face significant challenges.
 
Given this backdrop, 2021 will be the year of policies to continue saving lives and livelihoods and promoting recovery, while balancing the need for debt sustainability and financial resilience. Policymakers must also not lose sight of transformational challenges of building forward better and accelerate erecting more inclusive, resilient, and green economies.  
 
The IMF’s April Regional Economic Outlook (REO) Update explores these developments and the challenges ahead for the MENA region as it works to emerge from the crisis on the road to recovery. On 12 April, we invite you to join a high-level panel discussion on how MENA countries can begin laying the foundation for a post-pandemic future.

Agenda

3:00 pm - 3:02 pm: Welcome Remarks and housekeeping, John Defterios,  Business Emerging Markets Editor and Anchor, CNN 
3:02 pm - 4:30 pm : Panel Discussion moderated by John Defterios with Q&A

• Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department
• Sarah Al Suhaimi, Chair, Saudi Arabia Stock Exchange (Tadawul)
• Ibrahim Elbadawi, Managing Director, Economic Research Forum
• Fadi Ghandour, Executive Chairman, Wamda Group

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