Training Location

The CEF, funded by the Government of Kuwait, began operations in 2011. The Center organizes and leads hands-on training programs on economics and finance for officials from Arab League member countries at its offices in Kuwait. The primary purpose of the CEF is to help Arab countries strengthen institutional and technical capacities to enhance the design and implementation of macroeconomic and financial policies needed to address economic challenges and promote high, sustainable, and inclusive growth. The Center provides a regional approach to capacity development to better tailor support to regional priorities. In doing so, the Center coordinates very closely with all stakeholders on the ground, aligns its training program with policy making needs of member countries, and fosters peer-to-peer learning. While the IMF is the principal training provider in its core areas of expertise, the CEF also coordinates training with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. The CEF also partners with the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) for training in Abu Dhabi and other Arab countries, and with Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) for training in Rabat. Courses are offered in Arabic or English (generally with interpretation into Arabic). The Center also organizes conferences and seminars to discuss cutting-edge and emerging policy topics of relevance to the Arab countries, open to a wider public including Kuwaiti policy makers, business and academic communities and civil society.In view of the COVID-19 situation, the CEF has expanded its program of virtual courses for 2020 and 2021 to replace face-to-face courses until conditions normalize.