Nine Arab stock exchanges recorded improved performance during the period, supported by gains in the banking, energy, insurance, financial services, and consumer retail sectors, contributing to an increase in market capitalization. The Egyptian Exchange led the rising markets with an increase of 14.24 percent, followed by the Saudi and Muscat exchanges at 8.50 percent and 7.90 percent, respectively. The markets of Tunisia, Dubai, and Qatar also recorded gains of 6.72 percent, 6.42 percent, and 5.09 percent, respectively, while the Abu Dhabi and Palestine exchanges rose by 2.89 percent and 1.68 percent, respectively. 

In contrast, five Arab stock exchanges recorded declines in their indices due to weaker performance in certain sectors, including travel and leisure, consumer services, and media. The Casablanca Stock Exchange declined by less than one percent, while the markets of Bahrain, Amman, Iraq, and Kuwait recorded declines ranging between 1.09 percent and 3.84 percent. 

Published annually, the report represents a model of Arab institutional cooperation, providing a comprehensive analysis of economic developments in Arab countries and presenting an integrated overview of the state of the Arab economy considering regional and global developments.

At the level of Arab stock exchanges, indices rose in ten markets, led by the Amman stock exchange with a gain of 19.07 percent, followed by Egypt and muscat with increases of 14.07 percent and 13.22 percent, respectively. Several other exchanges also posted varying gains. In contrast, six Arab exchanges recorded declines, most notably Saudi Arabia and Damascus.

The total market capitalization of Arab financial markets decreased by approximately USD 107 billion, or 2.48 percent, to reach USD 4,208.08 billion by the end of the fourth quarter, compared to USD 4,315.08 billion at the end of the previous quarter. Meanwhile, the value of trading increased to USD 261.42 billion, marking a rise of USD 9.19 billion.

This year’s forum was held under the theme:
“A Decade of Fiscal Dialogue: Building Macroeconomic Resilience through Strengthening Fiscal Policies and Institutions.”

The forum witnessed broad participation from Arab Ministers of Finance and Governors of Central Banks, alongside senior officials and experts from regional and international financial institutions.

In his address during the forum, H.E. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, stressed the importance of the forum as a platform to assess the outcomes of a full decade of dialogue on fiscal policies, and as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among Arab countries in light of global financial and economic developments.

H.E. stated:

Published annually, the report represents a model of Arab institutional cooperation, providing a comprehensive analysis of economic developments in Arab countries and presenting an integrated overview of the state of the Arab economy considering regional and global developments.

The report reviews economic developments across Arab countries during 2024, including the impact of global economic conditions on the region. It covers key sectors such as agriculture and industry, oil and energy, public finance, monetary and banking developments, financial markets, external and intra-Arab trade, balance of payments, external public debt, and exchange rates.

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 full version of the study is available on the following link:
https://www.amf.org.ae/en/publications/economic-studies/productivity-and-growth-assessment-framework-pgaf-technical-note