Middle East and Central Asia

Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia

May 2007

Image from the publication cover World Economic and Financial Surveys

Ordering Information

Strong economic performance across the Middle East and Central Asia is examined against the background of high prices for energy and other commodities. Common economic trends are presented, while prospects and policies are reviewed for the coming year in light of the global economic environment. This latest REO includes boxes treating specific regional topics, such as financial sector reforms and integration in Maghreb countries; economic developments in oil-exporting countries in response to changes in petroleum prices; and the growth boom in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Contents

Recent Macroeconomic Developments and Prospects
  Highlights Background
  Recent Economic Developments
  Economic Outlook
    World economic outlook
    Outlook for the region
  Policy Issues
Boxes
  1. What is Behind the Growth Boom in the Caucasus and Central Asia?
  2. Paradox of Depreciating Real Effective Exchange Rates in GCC Countries
  3. Islamic Bonds
  4. Lebanon—Recovery from Conflict
  5. The Fund's Role in Post-Conflict Countries in MCD
  6. Oil Income in the Middle East and Central Asia—An Update
  7. Financial Sector Reforms and Financial Integration in Maghreb Countries
Text Figures
  1. Global Real GDP Growth
  2. Real GDP Growth in MCD
  3. External Current Account Balance
  4. Non-Oil Commodity Prices
  5. Gross Official Reserves
  6. Central Government Fiscal Balance
  7. Total Government Debt
  8. Counterparts to Money Supply
  9. Credit to the Private Sector
  10. Consumer Price Index
  11. Nominal Effective Exchange Rates
  12. Real Effective Exchange Rates
  13. Selected MCD Countries Stock Market Indices
  14. Global Outlook
  15. Expected Brent Crude Oil Prices
Statistical Appendix
  Data and Conventions
Tables
  1. Real GDP Growth
  2. Nominal Gross Domestic Product
  3. Hydrocarbon and Non-hydrocarbon Real Growth for Oil Exporters
  4. Crude Oil Production and Exports
  5. Consumer Price Index
  6. Broad Money
  7. Central Government Fiscal Balance
  8. Central Government Total Revenue Excluding Grants
  9. Central Government Non-Oil Fiscal Balance
  10. Central Government Non-Oil Revenue
  11. Central Government Total Expenditure and Net Lending
  12. Total Government Debt
  13. Export of Goods and Services
  14. Import of Goods and Services
  15. Current Account Balance (in billions of U.S. dollars)
  16. Current Account Balance (in percent of GDP)
  17. Real Effective Exchange Rates
  18. Gross Official Reserves
  19. Total Gross External Debt