Economic Diversification in the MENA Region

  • Focus Area -
  • Type Think20 (T20)
  • Date 28 July 2020
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Abstract

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region consists of a heterogeneous group of countries ranging from high-income countries in the Arabian Gulf to middle-income and least developed countries. A dominant concern in the MENA region is the high dependence on oil and gas among high-income countries and on traditional agriculture among the least developed ones. The region is characterized by volatile economic growth owing to the changes in international commodity prices. This necessitates the adoption of economic diversification policies outside resource-based sectors. G20 policymakers should support MENA countries to leverage the global value chain in technology sectors in order to facilitate access to foreign markets. Policymakers should also provide technical developmental support for the region’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and improve the business competitiveness indicators of MENA countries.

Authors

Said A. Alshaikh

Said A. Alshaikh

Jamal Alzayer

Jamal Alzayer

Imed Drine

Imed Drine

David Havrlant

David Havrlant

David was a research fellow who contributed a better understanding of the current and future economic environment of a changing… David was a research fellow who contributed a better understanding of the current and future economic environment of a changing region. He was mainly interested in the development of models for policy analysis and forecasting. At the same time, he was involved in projects related to the Vision 2030 program, focusing on the economic transformation and diversification of the Saudi economy. Prior to joining KAPSARC, David worked at the European Commission, European Central Bank, Moody's Analytics and the Czech National Bank. In these institutions, he participated in economic policy analysis, forecasting and research. He also served as a consultant to central banks in the CEE region, managing a variety of economic modeling projects. David led courses in econometrics and operations research during his Ph.D. studies.

Abdulelah Darandary

Abdulelah Darandary

Research Lead Abdulelah is a research lead at KAPSARC and an economist with expertise in various fields, including macroeconomics, energy, international trade… Abdulelah is a research lead at KAPSARC and an economist with expertise in various fields, including macroeconomics, energy, international trade and investment flows, financial development and public policy. He is currently leading the application of a behavioral economics project for energy policymaking in Saudi Arabia, utilizing econometric modeling and counterfactual analysis. Abdulelah's publications have been featured in several peer-reviewed journals. In 2020, during the Saudi G20 presidency, he was a member, co-author, and task force coordinator for the Trade, Investment, and Growth Taskforce for Think20 (T20), an official Engagement Group of the G20. Before joining KAPSARC, Abdulelah worked as an economic consultant, providing policy analyses, modeling, and forecasting the impacts of public spending on social and economic indicators. Abdulelah obtained a master's degree in applied economics and a bachelor's degree with honors in banking and financial economics. He received the King Abdullah scholarship and is a member of the Saudi Economic Association and the Saudi Association for Energy Economics.

Expertise

  • Macroeconomics
  • Economic Growth
  • International Trade and Investment
  • Financial Development
  • Energy Demand and Public Policy
  • Econometrics
  • Energy Transition and its impact on the global economy

Publications See all Abdulelah Darandary’s publications

Farah Durani

Farah Durani

Salah Abu Nar

Salah Abu Nar

Hatem Akeel

Hatem Akeel

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