The Productivity and Growth Assessment Framework (PGAF) is an analytical tool that provides a comprehensive assessment of the contributions of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and the other production factors, capital and labor, to economic growth across 183 countries from 1990 to 2023. Moreover, PGAF introduces an insightful and informative description of the countries’ economic characteristics using various macroeconomic indicators.
The Arab Monetary Fund has released a new technical study titled “The Productivity and Growth Assessment Framework (PGAF)”, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the sources of economic growth, with a particular focus on the role of total factor productivity and production inputs in supporting long-term growth.
The study reviews the evolution of the contributions of productivity, capital, and labor to economic growth, based on an analytical framework that compares the performance of Arab countries with regional and international peers. This approach contributes to a deeper understanding of macroeconomic characteristics and dynamics.
The study’s findings highlight the importance of enhancing resource-use efficiency and improving structural factors that support productivity, thereby fostering more sustainable and resilient economic growth.
The study concludes that adopting balanced, data-driven economic policies is a key element in supporting productivity and strengthening growth pathways in Arab economies.
The Arab Monetary Fund has released a new study focusing on economic productivity in Arab countries, examining its role in supporting economic growth over the past two decades.
The study highlights that Arab countries possess promising fundamentals for improving productivity, particularly in terms of capital accumulation and labor availability. The findings indicate that certain policies such as adherence to disciplined monetary policies and improvements in human development indicators have had a positive impact on productivity, opening the way for more sustainable growth.
On the other hand, the study points out that rising government expenditure and public debt pose challenges to productivity enhancement, underscoring the need to develop effective fiscal frameworks that ensure more efficient use of resources.
The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of adopting economic policies that focus on macroeconomic stability and improving the efficiency of public spending as a fundamental step toward boosting productivity and enhancing the competitiveness of Arab economies.
The 20th High-Level Meeting on Financial Stability and Supervisory Priorities opened today in Abu Dhabi, organized by the Arab Monetary Fund in partnership with the Financial Stability Institute (FSI) and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision of the Bank for International Settlements.
The meeting discusses several key topics, including emerging risks and trends in Arab financial systems, financial stability policies and support for economic growth, enhancements to supervisory processes, as well as the regulation and oversight of stablecoins, the role of artificial intelligence, and liquidity risk management.
H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, emphasized the importance of this annual platform, which brings together policymakers and senior officials to follow the latest supervisory developments. He noted that the issues raised this year reflect the rapid shifts taking place in the global financial landscape, underscoring the need to strengthen supervisory frameworks and enhance the capacities of Arab countries to ensure financial stability. He also reiterated that the Fund’s new strategic direction reinforces its role as a thought leader and strategic partner for its member countries.
In line with the AMF’s strategic approach as a pillar for a strong Arab region and a leader in economic stability and sustainable growth, and building on the continued success achieved through the efforts of its teams, the agreement to restructure the debt of the Republic of Sudan was signed on 9 December 2025, marking a new success story in the journey of transformation and progress.
During October 2025, the Training and Capacity Building Institute at the Arab Monetary Fund organized a series of specialized training programs, courses, and workshops, with the participation of 265 trainees from various Arab countries. These programs come as part of the Institute’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capabilities of Arab professionals in the fields of macroeconomics, investment, risk management, international trade, public finance, and modern statistical techniques.
The programs covered a wide range of topics, including: advanced due diligence practices in investment operations; public revenue forecasting; public debt management strategies and the development of local capital markets; global trends in international trade; balance of payments analysis and exchange rate policy; supply and use tables and input–output tables; the use of emerging data and modern technologies in macroeconomic statistics; financial risk management; macroeconomic policies and forecasting; and regulatory frameworks for financial innovation. Advanced programs were also delivered in collaboration with international institutions, including the World Bank, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the IMF Middle East Center for Economics and Finance (IMF-CEF), in addition to partnerships with regional and global central banks and financial institutions.
The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) today opened the 45th meeting of the Arab Committee on Banking Supervision, a committee operating under the Council of Arab Central Bank Governors and comprising senior banking supervision officials from across the Arab region. Representatives from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the Financial Stability Institute are also participating in the meeting.
The sessions address key supervisory priorities, including the implementation of Basel capital adequacy standards, the modernization of regulatory and supervisory methodologies, and the alignment of banking legislation and accounting frameworks in Arab countries with international practices. Discussions also focus on enhancing coordination and knowledge-sharing across supervisory authorities, as well as strengthening capacity-building and technical assistance programs for member states.
26 November 2025 | Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre, Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, emphasized that the meeting serves as an important platform for exchanging experiences and enhancing coordination among Arab countries on priority issues in the field of credit information. His Excellency commended the efforts of Arab countries in strengthening the credit-information industry, noting that the sector is undergoing a transformative phase driven by technological advancement, artificial intelligence, and evolving regulatory frameworks, offering significant opportunities to enhance transparency and financial inclusion in the Arab region.
He highlighted that the share of adults accessing financing through formal channels remains below 20% in most Arab countries, while lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) accounts for only 8% to 22% of total credit, underscoring an urgent need to strengthen credit information exchange and to develop related products and services.
The 29th Meeting of the Arab Financial Inclusion Task Force (FITF) kicked off today in Abu Dhabi, organized by the Arab Monetary Fund under the auspices of the Council of Governors of Arab Central Banks and Monetary Authorities. The Fund serves as the technical secretariat of the Task Force, which comprises directors of financial inclusion departments from Arab central banks.
A number of international and regional institutions are participating in the meeting as observers, including the World Bank, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Better Than Cash Alliance, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs – Financial Sector Office, and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP).
The Task Force aims to support the development of policies, promote cooperation, and facilitate the exchange of experiences among Arab countries in the field of financial inclusion. Its areas of focus include financial consumer protection, implementation of international standards, and enhancing financial awareness and literacy.