The Dubai School of Government (DSG) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) will jointly host the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) regional economic outlook seminar.

The event, which will be held on October 24 at the DIFC Conference Centre in Dubai, will bring together public and private sector representatives from the UAE and neighbouring countries.

The launch of a report titled ‘IMF Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia’ by Masood Ahmed, director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF, will serve as a highlight of the half-day forum.

A panel discussion with senior economists and analysts from the region will follow the presentation of the regional economic outlook.  Masood Ahmed will head the forum and discuss the prospects for the region in light of the global economic recovery that has begun to gain traction. He will place special emphasis on diversification, competitiveness and job creation.

"The Mena region, as a whole, is experiencing a robust recovery, aided by rising oil price and production levels and supportive fiscal policies. However, a number of countries continue to face some significant structural issues of concern,” said Ahmed.

“With the economic recovery now taking hold, the region is well placed to resume its focus on medium-term challenges: economic diversification and financial market development for the oil exporters, and tackling unemployment through faster, job-creating growth in the emerging markets."

Dr Nasser Saidi, chief economist and head of external relations at DIFC, said: “As we enter the last quarter of 2010, the Mena region is starting to show definite signs of recovering from the global economic crisis, as evidenced by this latest IMF Regional Economic Outlook.”

“Meetings such as the IMF Regional Forum play an important role as they allow economic and business leaders to come together, discuss challenges and analyse economic trends. This in turn helps us plan effectively for the future,” he added.

Tarik Yousef, dean of the Dubai School of Government, said: “While the Mena region as a whole is showing signs of economic recovery, the rate and nature of recovery varies between sub-regions and individual countries.”

“This event will explore the complexities of the economic climate of our region, allowing policy makers and analysts to chart relevant and informed strategies based on the region’s real requirements for sustained growth,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service