Time for Transformation

With economic leaders gathering soon in Marrakech, Morocco, for the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, this issue of F&D explores how the Arab world can tap growth opportunities and rebuild its economic standing.

Fragmentation SDN

Near-Term Resilience, Persistent Challenges

Global growth is projected to fall from an estimated 3.5 percent in 2022 to 3.0 percent in both 2023 and 2024. The rise in central bank policy rates to fight inflation continues to weigh on economic activity. Global headline inflation is expected to fall from 8.7 percent in 2022 to 6.8 percent in 2023 and 5.2 percent in 2024. Underlying (core) inflation is projected to decline more gradually, and forecasts for inflation in 2024 have been revised upward.

WEO update 2023

External Rebalancing in Turbulent Times

Global current account balances—the overall size of headline current account deficits and surpluses—widened for a third consecutive year in 2022. Main drivers were Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the uneven recovery from the pandemic, and the rapid tightening of US monetary policy. Concurrently, the US dollar appreciated substantially, and the uphill capital flow reappeared.

ESR report, 2023

Institutional Arrangements for Fintech Regulation: Supervisory Monitoring

Reflecting potential efficiency and inclusion gains, technology-enabled innovation in financial services has increased greatly over the past decade, and a regulatory response is needed to ensure that new risks are promptly and accurately identified and addressed. Fintech is being used across financial services to generate efficiencies and lower costs for firms, improve compliance (RegTech), and help regulatory authorities achieve their objectives (SupTech).

Global Financial Stability Report, April 2023

Managing Fiscal Risks in the Middle East and North Africa

Countries in the Middle East and North Africa are exposed to significant fiscal risks. This paper analyzes the sources of these fiscal risks in 17 low- and middle-income countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region, excluding high-income Gulf countries (MENAPEG), and discusses avenues for reform to strengthen fiscal risk management.

digital SDN

Trade Integration in Africa: Unleashing the Continent's Potential in a Changing World

Trade integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area could increase real GDP per capita, reduce poverty, and raise living standards. But unlocking these benefits will require investment in physical and human capital, a robust private sector, and social safety nets that support vulnerable communities. Greater regional trade integration and policy reforms are required in this changing world.

Trade Integration in Africa: Unleashing the Continent's Potential in a Changing World

IMF Regions

Asia and the

Pacific

 

Europe

 

 

Middle East

 

 

Sub-Saharan

Africa

 

Western

Hemisphere

 

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Essential Reading

September 6, 2023

Fintech and Digital Currencies

Updated Fintech and Digital Currencies Essential Reading Guide - key research on the latest trends in digital currencies, mobile payments, CBDCs and the financial system.

June 9, 2023

Legal

New updates to the Legal Materials Essential Reading Guide! Curated research and information on fintech law, taxation, governance and anti-corruption.

April 14, 2023

Marrakech 2023

Take a look at the new Marrakech 2023 Essential Reading Guide!  Find important publications relating to the region and themes of the upcoming Annual Meetings in Marrakech in October 2023.