IMF Archives: Finding Aids
Middle Eastern Department Records
Date(s): 1946-1989 |
Context
Name of Creator: Middle Eastern Department
Administrative/Biographical history: The Middle Eastern Department (MED) was established following the reorganization of May 1953. The new department took over the functions of the Latin American, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern Department (FML) and its Middle Eastern Division (MD). FML had been created in 1950 and inherited functions from the Research Department and its Middle Eastern Division (1946-1950).
The Department's first Divisions were established in 1964 (prior to this time there was little formal internal organization). The Eastern Division covered the United Arab Republic, Libya, Sudan, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The Western Division was responsible for Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria and Lebanon. In 1971 a new Arabian Peninsula Division was established. In 1973 the Arabian Peninsula Division was redesignated Coastal Division and a new Central Division was created in the Department. In 1977 assignments were redistributed between Divisions and names changed to: Mediterranean (Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Syria), Northern (Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates), Red Sea (Jordan, PDR of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen Arab Republic) and Southern (Bahrain, Ethiopia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar). In 1980 Divisions were redesignated as A, B, C and D.
From its establishment the main responsibilities of the Department have been gathering information on economic, financial and political developments in the countries within its area and the conduct of Fund business within these countries through consultation missions and missions related to use of Fund resources, informal visits, discussions with country delegations or visiting officials as well as through the assignments of staff as IMF Resident Representatives. The Department also contributes to the formulation of the IMF's positions with regard to exchange rate systems, adjustment policies and use of IMF resources; the review of IMF general policy papers; and the providing of technical assistance to member countries. Moreover, the Middle Eastern Department collaborates with the World Bank, maintains contacts with other international or regional organizations and participates in multilateral debt relief activities.
Directors: A.H. Ebtehaj (1953-1954); Anwar Ali (1954-1965?); J. Gunter, Acting Director (1966-1977); A.S. Shalaan (1977-1992).
Content and structure
Scope and content: Fonds consists of records of the Middle Eastern Department (MED) since its establishment in 1953. Records include material inherited from the Research Department and its earlier Middle Eastern Division (1946-1950) as well as documents from MED's predecessor the Latin American, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern Department and its Middle Eastern Division (1950-1953). These pre-1953 records are complemented by files in the Central Files Collection. Fonds consists of Immediate Office Records only.
Associated Materials
Related units of description: Central Files.
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