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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.

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 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:

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.

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 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 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.

The report covers key economic developments in Arab countries during 2023, with a focus on the impact of global economic conditions on the region. It includes an integrated analysis of the performance of major economic sectors, such as oil and energy, public finance, foreign trade, and financial markets. In addition, it evaluates balance of payments, external public debt, and exchange rates, offering a clear view of the economic challenges and opportunities facing Arab countries.

In a forward-looking approach aligned with global trends, the report features a key chapter titled: "Digital Transformation in Arab Economies: Opportunities and Challenges." This chapter explores the importance of digital transformation as a pivotal factor for economic growth and sustainable development, while highlighting the challenges Arab countries face in accelerating digital transformation and adopting modern technologies.

The Arab Monetary Fund emphasizes that “ISTISHARA” reflects its commitment to the values of empowerment and sustainable development by enabling member countries to access top global expertise and enhancing cooperation to achieve shared economic goals.

For more information, please visit the following link: ISTISHARA