Middle East Transitions: A Long, Hard Road

July 25, 2014

Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

Shahid Yusuf. Middle East Transitions: A Long, Hard Road, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2014) accessed September 18, 2024

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

Since the onset of the Arab Spring, economic uncertainty in Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Yemen (Arab Countries in Transition, ACTs) has slowed already sluggish growth; worsened unemployment, particularly of youth; undermined business confidence, affected tourist arrivals, and depressed domestic and foreign direct investment. Furthermore, political and social tensions have constrained reform efforts. Assessing policy options as presented in the voluminous literature on the Arab Spring and based on cross-country experience, this paper concludes that sustainable and inclusive growth calls for a two pronged approach: short term measures that revive growth momentum and partially allay popular concerns; complemented with efforts to adjust the public’s expectations and prepare the ground for structural reforms that will deliver the desired longer tem performance.

Subject: Economic sectors, Education, Employment, Exports, International trade, Labor, Manufacturing, Public sector

Keywords: Anchor firm, Density entry rate, East Asia, Eastern Europe, Economic transition, Education, Employment, Enterprise reform, Export-led growth, Exports, Free trade zone, Global, Growth, Institutions, Labor market, Manufacturing, Mena country, Middle East, Natural resource, North Africa, On-the-job training, Private sector, Public sector, Regime change, SEZs, SMEs, Social safety nets, Transaction costs, Unemployment rate, WP, Youth unemployment

Publication Details

Pages:

54
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2014/135
Stock No:

WPIEA2014135
ISBN:

9781498359122
ISSN:

1018-5941

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