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Arab Monetary Fund and Somalia Sign MoU on Debt Restructuring

As part of ongoing efforts to support member countries and promote financial stability, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Arab Monetary Fund and the Federal Republic of Somalia. The MoU aims to restructure the debt owed by Somalia to the Fund, thereby contributing to easing the financial burden and strengthening Somalia’s ability to stay on course with economic reform and sustainable development.

 

H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, affirmed the AMF’s commitment to supporting its member countries and facilitating an environment conducive to achieving economic stability and growth.

 

It is worth noting that Somalia’s debt has spanned over 40 years, and this adjustment is part of the AMF’s new strategy aimed at supporting Arab countries.

The Arab Monetary Fund Organizes the Annual Meetings of the Joint Arab Financial Institutions in Kuwait

Kuwait – 9 April 2025: The Arab Monetary Fund, in cooperation with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, organized the annual meetings of the joint Arab financial institutions, alongside the convening of the 16th Ordinary Session of the Council of Arab Finance Ministers. The meetings were held in the State of Kuwait with wide participation from representatives of Arab countries and regional and international financial institutions.

 

In his remarks during the meetings, H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, emphasized the AMF's important role in promoting Arab financial cooperation, supporting economic stability, offering advisory services, and building capacities for Arab countries with the aim of achieving sustainable development.

 

These meetings serve as an important annual platform for the exchange of views and experiences among economic decision-makers in the Arab world, and for discussing key challenges and opportunities facing Arab economies, contributing to enhanced economic and financial integration among member countries.

Dr. Fahad M. Alturki Holds a Series of Bilateral Meetings with Arab Finance Ministers on the Sidelines of the Annual Meetings of Arab Financial Institutions in Kuwait

Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General and Chairman of the Board, held a series of bilateral meetings with several Arab Ministers of Finance during the annual meetings of Arab financial institutions, held in the State of Kuwait.

The meetings included H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed Abdul Razak, Minister of Finance of the Comoros; H.E. Dr. Gibril Ibrahim Mohamed, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of the Republic of Sudan; H.E. Mr. Mohammad Yisr Bernieh, Minister of Finance of the Syrian Arab Republic; and H.E. Mr. Abdelkarim Bouzred, Minister of Finance of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.

 

During the discussions, Dr. Alturki reviewed opportunities to further strengthen the Arab Monetary Fund’s support for its member countries within the framework of its new strategic direction, which positions the AMF as a strategic partner and enabler of institutional capacity-building for sustainable growth. Topics on the agenda included the resolution of arrears and non-performing debts, cooperation on digital transformation, and ways to enhance the credit ratings of Arab countries.

 

Arab Fund and the Arab Monetary Fund Organize Annual Joint Meetings for the Arab Financial Institutions

Kuwait, April 7, 2025 – The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) are organizing the joint annual meetings of Arab financial institutions and the 16th regular session of the Council of Arab Finance Ministers on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the St. Regis Hotel in Kuwait City.

The opening session will be chaired by His Excellency Mr. Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance of the Sultanate of Oman. The meetings will include delegations from Arab countries, a select group of senior officials and pioneering economists engaged in public debt management, finance ministers, leaders of Arab financial institutions, and heads and governors of each of the participating institutions: the Arab Monetary Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, and the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development.

The Arab Monetary Fund Issues the 56th Edition of the "Monthly Bulletin of Arab Capital Markets" – February 2025

The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) has issued the 56th edition of its Monthly Bulletin of Arab Capital Markets, which monitors the performance of markets during February 2025. The results indicated a mixed performance across Arab stock exchanges, in line with global market trends impacted by escalating trade tensions and increased tariffs.

The AMF’s Composite Index of Arab Capital Markets recorded a slight decline of 0.06% at the end of February 2025, due to decreased performance in seven Arab exchanges, while six markets saw an improvement in their performance indicators.

Arab financial markets ended February 2025 with a varied performance, mirroring global markets that were affected by rising concerns over a slowdown in the U.S. economy, geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine, increasing market valuations, and uncertainty stemming from trade wars and tariff hikes. The energy sector also posted negative performance, as crude oil prices declined due to oversupply.

Performance of Arab Stock Exchanges:

Arab Monetary Fund’s Training Institute Strengthens Arab Professionals’ Skills

Abu Dhabi, February 2025 – The Training and Capacity Building Institute of the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) continued its efforts to equip Arab professionals with essential technical and practical skills. Throughout February 2025, the institute organized a series of specialized training programs, bringing together 273 participants from various Arab countries.

These initiatives reflect the institute’s commitment to enhancing expertise in economics and finance. The courses focused on improving participants’ abilities in economic data analysis, financial policy development, and addressing current economic challenges. They also highlight the AMF’s dedication to providing an advanced learning environment that meets the evolving needs of Arab financial and economic institutions.

The Arab Monetary Fund reaffirmed its commitment to delivering high-quality training programs that strengthen technical competencies and support sustainable economic development in the Arab region.

The Arab Monetary Fund Organizes the 21st Meeting of the Financial Stability Task Force (FSTF)

The 21st meeting of the Financial Stability Task Force (FSTF) is being held today, Wednesday, virtually over two days. This meeting is part of the activities of the Council of Governors of Arab Central Banks and Monetary Authorities. It brings together directors and officials responsible for financial stability from Arab central banks and monetary authorities, along with experts from the Arab Monetary Fund. Representatives from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the Financial Stability Board are also participating in the meeting.

On this occasion, Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, emphasized the critical role Arab central banks play in promoting financial stability. He praised their efforts in assessing systemic risks, enhancing the resilience of the banking sector to shocks, developing regulations and precautionary policies, and implementing best international standards and practices.

 

Dr. Alturki also highlighted the strong interest of the Governors of Arab Central Banks in the task force’s activities and the vital role it plays in facilitating the exchange of expertise and experiences among Arab countries. He commended the team’s outstanding efforts in preparing and developing the Financial Stability Report, which strengthens regional cooperation and contributes to achieving sustainable economic stability.

The Arab Monetary Fund Continues Efforts to Build Economic and Financial Capacities in the Arab World

Abu Dhabi, January 2025: As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing economic and financial expertise across Arab countries, the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), through its Training and Capacity Building Institute, organized a series of training programs in January 2025. A total of 211 participants from various Arab nations took part in these programs, covering a range of economic and financial topics aimed at expanding knowledge and developing skills in key areas.

The AMF also launched an executive program in collaboration with Harvard University on financial market supervision, which will run until June 2025. The program is designed to deepen understanding of financial policies and market regulation, with a particular focus on technological advancements and digital innovation in the financial sector.

Through these initiatives, the Arab Monetary Fund reaffirms its ongoing commitment to developing Arab talent as a capacity-building institution, supports efforts to achieve financial stability and economic growth, and enhances the competitiveness of Arab economies in global markets.

The Arab Monetary Fund supports Syria’s efforts – Al-Ula Conference 2025

The Arab Monetary Fund, led by H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Al-Turki, Director General and Chairman of the Board, participates in a meeting to support Syria’s efforts by presenting five key priorities for assistance and highlighting the importance of cooperation and coordination among institutions operating in the region and participating countries.

The Arab Monetary Fund Issues the 54th Edition of the "Monthly Bulletin of Arab Capital Markets" for December 2024

The Arab Monetary Fund’s Composite Index for Arab Capital Markets recorded an increase of 1.03% at the end of December 2024, benefiting from the positive performance of the majority of Arab stock exchanges included in the index. Ten stock exchanges experienced growth in their performance indices, supported by several positive factors, most notably declining interest rates, lower inflation rates, and increased lending and investment activity.

The announcement by FTSE Russell of the quarterly review results for emerging market indices - which included the addition of new Arab companies to the index - played a significant role in supporting the performance of several Arab stock exchanges. Arab exchanges continued their efforts to expand market bases by upgrading companies from secondary and parallel markets to the main markets.

 

On the other hand, four Arab stock exchanges saw declines in performance due to weaker activity in key sectors, particularly telecommunications and basic materials. The commercial and consumer services sectors also  

faced downturns in several exchanges, negatively impacting trading volumes.