When
October 10, 2023
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Where
Zoom Webinar and Annual Meetings Campus
Room AB01, Avenue Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Morocco
(Map)
Registration
For More Information
Programs Department
events@mei.edu
202-785-1141 ext. 202
Note: This event takes place at 10 AM ET and 3 PM GMT +1
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Middle East Institute (MEI) are proud to co-host an exclusive panel on the sidelines of this year’s Annual IMF/World Bank Meetings in Marrakech on the topic of economic structural reforms in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).
“Structural Reforms to Reinvigorate Growth in MENA” will discuss the recent succession of economic shocks to the MENA region and the actions taken to mitigate their impact. It will also explore how the impact of these actions have left MENA countries with a tight macroeconomic policy space amid a continued uncertain external environment.
The discussion will be based on an analytical chapter on structural reforms in the IMF’s forthcoming October 2023 Middle East and Central Asia Regional Economic Outlook and will foster dialogue on the pivotal role of structural reforms at a time of tight macroeconomic policies. In particular, the panel will seek to provide insights on what reforms can be most impactful in the current context and how best such reforms can be sequenced to bolster growth prospects and build resilience ahead.
The panel will be conducted in English, with simultaneous interpretation available in Arabic and French.
Panelists
Jihad Azour
Director, Middle East and Central Asia, International Monetary Fund
H.E. Mohamed Benchaaboun
Director General, Mohammed VI Investment Fund
Mehdi Jomaa
Former Prime Minister, Tunisia
Alia Moubayed
Managing Director, Jefferies
Karen E. Young, moderator
Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute
Detailed Speaker Biographies
Jihad AzourJihad Azour
Jihad Azour is the Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund, overseeing the organization’s work in those regions. He previously served as Lebanon’s Finance Minister from 2005 to 2008, where he implemented crucial reforms. Azour also held various roles in the private sector, including at McKinsey and Booz and Co., and was a Managing Partner at Inventis Partners. He holds a PhD in International Finance and has conducted research on emerging economies at Harvard. Azour is an author and experienced educator.
H.E. Mohamed Benchaabounmb
H.E. Mohamed Benchaaboun is a seasoned professional with experience in both public and private sectors and was appointed Director General of the Mohammed VI Investment Fund by King Mohammed VI. He also previously served as the Minister of Economy and Finance. A graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications de Paris, he has held various significant roles, including Director of the Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes and General Manager of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT). He’s also been involved in international organizations and holds several board positions.
Mehdi Jomaamedhi
Medhi Jomaa is a distinguished figure in Tunisian politics. In March 2013, he assumed the role of minister of industry, spearheading critical energy and industrial reforms. His leadership continued in January 2014 when he was appointed head of government during a tumultuous period. During his tenure, he implemented key reforms in security economics and governance. His outstanding contributions earned him accolades including the 2014 Amadeus ‘Person of the Year’ award from Morocco.
Alia Moubayedalia
Alia Moubayed is a highly experienced economist and policy expert with over 25 years of diverse experience in government, international financial institutions and financial markets. Currently serving as the Chief Economist for the MENA region at a London-based investment bank, she has also directed the Geo-Economics and Strategy Program at the international institute for strategic studies. She has held key positions as Chief Economist for the MENA region at Barclays and as a Senior Economist at the World Bank. She is also the founder of the Association of Women in Economics Across the Middle East and North Africa, advocating for women’s role in economic policymaking in the region.
Karen E. Youngkaren
Karen E. Young is a political economist specializing in the Gulf, the wider MENA region, and the nexus of energy, finance, and security. She is a Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at MEI, where she also chaired the Advisory Council for MEI’s Program on Economics and Energy. With a background in academia and extensive publications, including two books, Dr. Young’s work has appeared in prestigious outlets like the Financial Times, Bloomberg, Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Policy. She holds a PhD in Political Science and has received support for her research from various foundations and institutions.