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Banking, real estate, and energy sectors supported the overall performance, with the “MSCI Arab Markets Index” rising by 2.36%. The decision of Arab central banks to maintain interest rates, in line with U.S. monetary policy, also contributed to supporting liquidity and deepening markets.

Globally, markets witnessed relative stability, underpinned by optimism over the trajectory of trade negotiations. U.S. and European markets posted gains, led by the FTSE (4.24%) and Nasdaq (3.70%). In Asia, the technology sector was the main driver, while emerging markets registered mixed gains, against a decline in Latin America of 4.60%.

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https://www.amf.org.ae/ar/publications/nshrt-aswaq-almal/alnshrt-alshhryt-laswaq-almal-alrbyt-aldd-altas-walkhmswn

The workshop aims to strengthen the understanding of the new System of National Accounts, support member countries in preparing digital supply and use tables, and discuss issues related to the digital economy, sustainability, and economic well-being.

The workshop will include a high-level session with the participation of leaders from international and regional institutions to discuss ways of supporting the implementation of the new system and enhancing statistical cooperation.

Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, emphasized the importance of the workshop in exchanging expertise and strengthening the statistical capacities of Arab countries, underscoring the AMF’s role in supporting economic stability and providing technical assistance to its member states.

In this context, H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, commended the efforts of Arab central banks and monetary authorities in maintaining the soundness of the financial and banking sector, strengthening its stability, developing regulatory frameworks, policies, and prudential measures, and applying leading international standards and practices. He also praised the topics addressed by the Task Force, as well as the participation of relevant regional and international financial institutions and frameworks, highlighting their important role in enriching the discussions. Finally, His Excellency noted the keen interest of the Governors of Arab central banks and monetary authorities in the work of the Task Force and its prominent role in exchanging experiences and expertise at both the regional and international levels. 

Estimates indicate an improvement in the growth rate of Arab economies, with a projected rate of 3.8% in 2025, rising to 4.3% in 2026, compared to 2.2% in 2024. This anticipated growth is driven by ongoing economic reforms, income diversification efforts, and improvements in the financing and investment environment.

Conversely, inflation rates are expected to continue declining, reaching approximately 20.8% in 2025 and 14.2% in 2026, down from 31.9% in 2024. Excluding countries experiencing exceptional inflationary pressures, inflation is projected at 7.6% in 2025 and 5.6% in 2026.

The report outlines key priorities for economic policies, particularly in the areas of fiscal and monetary policy, with an emphasis on enhancing fiscal sustainability, diversifying revenue sources, and improving spending efficiency.

Eleven Arab exchanges ended the quarter in positive territory, led by the Palestine Exchange with an impressive gain of 18.29%, followed by Dubai (11.96%) and Abu Dhabi (6.28%). In contrast, four markets posted declines, with the Saudi Exchange and Iraq’s bourse recording the largest drops at -7.16% and -4.33%, respectively.

Despite the upward momentum in market indices, total market capitalization across Arab exchanges fell by 2.42%, reaching $4,221.54 billion. Trading values also declined by 8.04%, amounting to $230.38 billion.

The improved performance was supported by a combination of factors, including rising oil prices, easing global trade tensions, and accommodative monetary policies. The U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, while the Bank of England and the European Central Bank introduced rate cuts. Meanwhile, most Gulf central banks maintained their rates, and the Central Bank of Egypt lowered its deposit rate to 24%.

These programs were conducted as part of the Institute’s mission to provide high-quality training content that keeps pace with regional and global economic and financial developments. The courses addressed priority topics for member countries, including macroeconomics, financial stability, institutional development, governance, and compliance.

The training sessions were implemented in cooperation with several regional and international partner institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), HEC Paris, the Islamic Development Bank Institute, and the Arab Regional Payments Clearing and Settlement Organization (BUNA), alongside international experts and academic specialists.

Through this intensive activity, the Training and Capacity Development Institute reaffirms its firm commitment to supporting sustainable economic development in the Arab region by investing in human capital and delivering practical training programs that enhance the efficiency of national cadres and strengthen institutional readiness to face future challenges.
 

The meetings are also regularly attended by representatives from the International Committee on Credit Reporting (ICCR), along with several other regional and international institutions.

In this context, H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, emphasized that credit information systems represent a fundamental pillar of the modern financial system, playing a vital role in enhancing lending efficiency, improving risk management, and supporting financial inclusion, in alignment with international best practices. By addressing key focus areas, the Arab Committee for Credit Information can contribute significantly to broader goals of sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion across the Arab region.

His Excellency also commended the participation of relevant regional and international financial institutions and their valuable contributions to enriching the dialogue.

His Excellency Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, inaugurated the program with a keynote address highlighting the importance of this six-month initiative, which targets policymakers and experts from Arab countries. The program aligns with the Fund’s new 2025–2030 strategy, which focuses on strengthening institutional capacity and developing economic and financial competencies across the region.

The program combines self-paced learning, in-person attendance, and virtual interaction to offer a comprehensive educational experience led by international experts. It covers critical topics such as global tax policy, digital transformation in tax administration, resource mobilization, reducing tax gaps, and the latest trends in international taxation.

Six Arab stock markets posted gains, driven by strong performance in telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, technology, and banking sectors. Meanwhile, seven others declined under pressure from drops in the energy, financial services, and transportation sectors. Dubai Financial Market led the gains with a 4.14% increase, followed by Iraq’s market with 3.46%. In contrast, Muscat, Kuwait, and Palestine saw losses ranging between 1.16% and 1.64%, while Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Casablanca, and Amman recorded deeper declines, reaching up to 5.6%.

At the start of the month, the U.S. tariff announcement triggered a global sell-off, impacting indices like the S&P and NASDAQ, which dropped by 9% to 13.7%. However, the subsequent decision to suspend the tariffs for three months helped pare losses, particularly in emerging markets, which rebounded by around 6.26%, followed by gains in Europe and Asia.

The strategy represents a major step forward in broadening access to financial services across the country, particularly digital solutions. It places a strong focus on reaching underserved segments of the population, including women, youth, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Key objectives include raising the percentage of adults with bank or digital accounts to 50% by 2030 (up from 11% currently), reducing the gender gap in access to financial services to 3.5 percentage points, and increasing the use of digital payments to 85%.

The Arab Monetary Fund played a key role in supporting the strategy’s development by providing technical expertise and advancing regional coordination through the Financial Inclusion for the Arab Region Initiative (FIARI), which it leads in collaboration with international partners.