Expected MENA GDP growth is at 5 percent but masks ‘significant differences across countries with oil exporters upgraded,’ IMF’s Jihad Azour said
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diversify economy
Video: IMF’s Azour on Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 targets, economy, growth for 2019, OPEC+
Jihad Azour, Middle East and central Asia director at the International Monetary Fund, discusses Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets, diversifying the Saudi economy outside of oil, the budget, Saudi growth for 2019, the OPEC+ agreement and Lebanon’s economy.
Demonstration
Video: Lebanon’s reform package restores confidence in the country – IMF
It’s important to show the timeline and bring credibility to the implementation of the reforms, says Jihad Azour, Middle East and Central Asia director at the IMF.
economic outlook
Iran sanctions, unrest hit Middle East growth: IMF
GCC were forecast to slightly buck the trend, improving to 2.1% growth from 2% in 2018
crude output
Saudi needs oil at $80-$85 a barrel to balance budget, says IMF
The UAE’s energy minister said supply and demand should balance out in the first quarter of 2019
economic outlook
IMF warns Arab states against complacency over debt
Jihad Azour, director of the IMF’s Middle East, Asia says higher oil prices should spur change
budget deficit
Saudi Arabia needs oil at $85 a barrel to balance budget, says IMF
Moody’s rates Saudi Arabia as A1 stable, with a strong fiscal position and significant liquidity buffers
Abu Dhabi
Non-oil sector to drive UAE GDP growth in 2018
Jihad Azour, the IMF’s Director for the Middle East and Central Asia, also said that despite growth, more labour reforms are needed in Saudi Arabia