{ "title": "Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia, October 2017", "publication": "Middle East and Central Asia, October 17, 2017", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/meca/issues/2017/10/17/mreo1017", "canonical": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/meca/issues/2017/10/17/mreo1017", "overlayPath": "/en/publications/reo/meca/issues/2017/10/17/mreo1017/index.md", "summary": "Economic prospects for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) and Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) regions are diverging.", "sections": [ { "heading": "Major findings", "content": "- Economic prospects for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) and Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) regions are diverging.\n- Despite the strengthening global recovery, the outlook for MENAP countries remains relatively subdued due to the continued adjustment to low oil prices and regional conflicts.\n- The outlook for the CCA region is improving, supported by the more favorable global environment.\n- The window of opportunity arising from various integration initiatives and the favorable external environment could support higher growth if appropriate policies are pursued." }, { "heading": "Policy recommendations", "content": "- Continue efforts to promote growth-friendly fiscal consolidation.\n- Strengthen monetary policy frameworks.\n- Advance economic diversification and private sector development.\n- Increase trade openness to take advantage of integration initiatives and favorable external conditions.\n- Adopt financial technologies to increase financial inclusion and facilitate greater access to credit." }, { "heading": "Outlook and opportunities", "content": "- Combined implementation of fiscal consolidation, stronger monetary frameworks, diversification, private sector development, greater trade openness, and fintech adoption is presented as the pathway to secure higher and more inclusive growth for MENAP and CCA countries.\n\nRegional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia, October 2017\n\n---\n\n Content in this bundle\n\n- VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT — ECONOMIST, IMF Resident Representative Office for Jordan\n - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT — ECONOMIST, IMF Resident Representative Office for Jordan (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT — ECONOMIST, IMF Resident Representative Office for Jordan (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Oct 2017 MCD REO; CCA Highlights\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO; CCA Highlights (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO; CCA Highlights (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 3; Caucasus and Central Asia: No Room for Complacency\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 3; Caucasus and Central Asia: No Room for Complacency (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 3; Caucasus and Central Asia: No Room for Complacency (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Caucasus and Central Asia Regional Economic Outlook, November, 2017\n - Caucasus and Central Asia Regional Economic Outlook, November, 2017 (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Caucasus and Central Asia Regional Economic Outlook, November, 2017 (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Oct 2017 MCD REO; acknowledgement\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO; acknowledgement (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO; acknowledgement (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 4; Leveraging Trade to Boost Growth in the MENAP and CCA Regions\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 4; Leveraging Trade to Boost Growth in the MENAP and CCA Regions (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 4; Leveraging Trade to Boost Growth in the MENAP and CCA Regions (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Oct 2017 MCD REO ch5; Fintech Unlocking the Potential for the MENAP and CCA Regions\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO ch5; Fintech Unlocking the Potential for the MENAP and CCA Regions (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO ch5; Fintech Unlocking the Potential for the MENAP and CCA Regions (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- OCT 2017 MCD REO; Assumptions and Conventions\n - OCT 2017 MCD REO; Assumptions and Conventions (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - OCT 2017 MCD REO; Assumptions and Conventions (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Oct 2017 MCD REO; Country Groupings\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO; Country Groupings (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO; Country Groupings (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Oct 2017 MCD REO; World Developments and Outlook A Strengthening Global Economy\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO; World Developments and Outlook A Strengthening Global Economy (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO; World Developments and Outlook A Strengthening Global Economy (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Oct 2017 MCD REO; MENAP highlights\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO; MENAP highlights (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO; MENAP highlights (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- 6-chapter-1\n - 6-chapter-1 (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - 6-chapter-1 (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 2; MENAP Oil Importers: Securing Resilience and Inclusive Growth\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 2; MENAP Oil Importers: Securing Resilience and Inclusive Growth (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 2; MENAP Oil Importers: Securing Resilience and Inclusive Growth (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Mcd Printer Without\n - Mcd Printer Without (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Mcd Printer Without (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- Oct 2017 MCD REO Statistical Appendix\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO Statistical Appendix (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Oct 2017 MCD REO Statistical Appendix (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n- reo-statistical-appendix-with-front-matter\n - reo-statistical-appendix-with-front-matter (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - reo-statistical-appendix-with-front-matter (XLSX){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet\"}\n\n---\n\n References\n\n- MENAP: Take Advantage of Strengthening Global Economy ►\n- CCA: Time for Decisive Action ►\n- IMF DATA PORTAL: Middle East and Central Asia Regional Economic Outlook\n- http://www.imf.org/en/News/Seminars/Conferences/2017/08/08/morocco-opportunities-for-all\n- https://www.imf.org/en/publications/weo\n- Global Economy in Crosscurrents of War and Technology\n- https://www.imf.org/en/publications/gfsr\n- Global Financial Markets Confront the War in the Middle East and Amplification Risks\n- https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fm\n- Fiscal Policy under Pressure: High Debt, Rising Risks\n- https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo\n- Asia and Pacific\n- Europe\n- Middle East and Central Asia\n- Sub-Saharan Africa\n- Western Hemisphere\n- https://www.imf.org/en/publications/areb\n- Getting to Growth in an Age of Uncertainty\n- https://www.imf.org/en/publications/finance-development\n- More Publications\n- Sign up to receive free e-mail notices when new series and/or country items are posted on the IMF website.\n- Modify your profile\n- Presentation - Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan\n- https://www.imf.org/en/home\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/meca/issues/2017/10/17/mreo1017" } ], "bullets": [ "[Markdown version](/en/publications/reo/meca/issues/2017/10/17/mreo1017/index.md)", "[Structured JSON version](/en/publications/reo/meca/issues/2017/10/17/mreo1017/index.json)", "[Bundle manifest](/en/publications/reo/meca/issues/2017/10/17/mreo1017/bundle-manifest.json)", "Published: October 17, 2017", "Series: Middle East and Central Asia", "Economic prospects for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) and Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) regions are diverging.", "Despite the strengthening global recovery, the outlook for MENAP countries remains relatively subdued due to the continued adjustment to low oil prices and regional conflicts.", "The outlook for the CCA region is improving, supported by the more favorable global environment.", "The window of opportunity arising from various integration initiatives and the favorable external environment could support higher growth if appropriate policies are pursued.", "Continue efforts to promote growth-friendly fiscal consolidation.", "Strengthen monetary policy frameworks.", "Advance economic diversification and private sector development.", "Increase trade openness to take advantage of integration initiatives and favorable external conditions.", "Adopt financial technologies to increase financial inclusion and facilitate greater access to credit.", "Combined implementation of fiscal consolidation, stronger monetary frameworks, diversification, private sector development, greater trade openness, and fintech adoption is presented as the pathway to secure higher and more inclusive growth for MENAP and CCA countries.", "**VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT — ECONOMIST, IMF Resident Representative Office for Jordan**", "**Oct 2017 MCD REO; CCA Highlights**", "**Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 3; Caucasus and Central Asia: No Room for Complacency**", "**Caucasus and Central Asia Regional Economic Outlook, November, 2017**", "**Oct 2017 MCD REO; acknowledgement**", "**Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 4; Leveraging Trade to Boost Growth in the MENAP and CCA Regions**", "**Oct 2017 MCD REO ch5; Fintech Unlocking the Potential for the MENAP and CCA Regions**", "**OCT 2017 MCD REO; Assumptions and Conventions**", "**Oct 2017 MCD REO; Country Groupings**", "**Oct 2017 MCD REO; World Developments and Outlook A Strengthening Global Economy**", "**Oct 2017 MCD REO; MENAP highlights**", "**6-chapter-1**", "**Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 2; MENAP Oil Importers: Securing Resilience and Inclusive Growth**", "**Mcd Printer Without**", "**Oct 2017 MCD REO Statistical Appendix**", "**reo-statistical-appendix-with-front-matter**", "[MENAP: Take Advantage of Strengthening Global Economy ►](http://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2017/10/30/na103117-middle-east-north-africa-afghanistan-and-pakistan)", "[CCA: Time for Decisive Action ►](http://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2017/10/30/na110117-the-caucasus-and-central-asia-time-for-decisive-action)", "[IMF DATA PORTAL: Middle East and Central Asia Regional Economic Outlook](https://data.imf.org/mcdreo)", "[http://www.imf.org/en/News/Seminars/Conferences/2017/08/08/morocco-opportunities-for-all](http://www.imf.org/en/News/Seminars/Conferences/2017/08/08/morocco-opportunities-for-all)", "[https://www.imf.org/en/publications/weo](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/weo)", "[Global Economy in Crosscurrents of War and Technology](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/weo/issues/2026/07/08/world-economic-outlook-update-july-2026)", "[https://www.imf.org/en/publications/gfsr](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/gfsr)", "[Global Financial Markets Confront the War in the Middle East and Amplification Risks](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/gfsr/issues/2026/04/14/global-financial-stability-report-april-2026)", "[https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fm](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fm)", "[Fiscal Policy under Pressure: High Debt, Rising Risks](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fm/issues/2026/04/15/fiscal-monitor-april-2026)", "[https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo)", "[Asia and Pacific](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/apac)", "[Europe](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/eu)", "[Middle East and Central Asia](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/meca)", "[Sub-Saharan Africa](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/ssa)", "[Western Hemisphere](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/reo/wh)", "[https://www.imf.org/en/publications/areb](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/areb)", "[Getting to Growth in an Age of Uncertainty](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/areb/issues/2025/09/24/annual-report-2025)", "[https://www.imf.org/en/publications/finance-development](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/finance-development)", "[More Publications](https://www.imf.org/en/publications)", "[Sign up to receive free e-mail notices when new series and/or country items are posted on the IMF website.](https://www.imf.org/en/email-subscription/index)", "[Modify your profile](https://www.imf.org/en/email-subscription/login)", "[Presentation - Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/presentations/menap-reo-october-2017-launch-presentation.pptx)" ], "related": [ { "title": "VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT — ECONOMIST, IMF Resident Representative Office for Jordan", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/countries/mcd/jor/022444d417ff4b8f84498ab0b8662a63jorsyreconomistadvertisement.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/countries/mcd/jor/022444d417ff4b8f84498ab0b8662a63jorsyreconomistadvertisement.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/countries/mcd/jor/022444d417ff4b8f84498ab0b8662a63jorsyreconomistadvertisement.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Oct 2017 MCD REO; CCA Highlights", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/ccanovember1/8-cca-highlights.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/ccanovember1/8-cca-highlights.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/ccanovember1/8-cca-highlights.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 3; Caucasus and Central Asia: No Room for Complacency", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/ccanovember1/9-chapter-3.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/ccanovember1/9-chapter-3.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/ccanovember1/9-chapter-3.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Caucasus and Central Asia Regional Economic Outlook, November, 2017", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/ccanovember1/presentations/cca-reo-october-2017-launch-presentation-for-website.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/ccanovember1/presentations/cca-reo-october-2017-launch-presentation-for-website.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/ccanovember1/presentations/cca-reo-october-2017-launch-presentation-for-website.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Oct 2017 MCD REO; acknowledgement", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/1-acknowledgments.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/1-acknowledgments.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/1-acknowledgments.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 4; Leveraging Trade to Boost Growth in the MENAP and CCA Regions", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/10-chapter-4.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/10-chapter-4.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/10-chapter-4.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Oct 2017 MCD REO ch5; Fintech Unlocking the Potential for the MENAP and CCA Regions", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/11-chapter-5.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/11-chapter-5.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/11-chapter-5.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "OCT 2017 MCD REO; Assumptions and Conventions", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/2-assumptions-and-conventions.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/2-assumptions-and-conventions.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/2-assumptions-and-conventions.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Oct 2017 MCD REO; Country Groupings", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/3-country-groupings.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/3-country-groupings.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/3-country-groupings.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Oct 2017 MCD REO; World Developments and Outlook A Strengthening Global Economy", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/4-world-developments-and-outlook.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/4-world-developments-and-outlook.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/4-world-developments-and-outlook.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Oct 2017 MCD REO; MENAP highlights", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/5-menap-highlights.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/5-menap-highlights.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/5-menap-highlights.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "6-chapter-1", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/6-chapter-1.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/6-chapter-1.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/6-chapter-1.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Oct 2017 MCD REO ch 2; MENAP Oil Importers: Securing Resilience and Inclusive Growth", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/7-chapter-2.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/7-chapter-2.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/7-chapter-2.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Mcd Printer Without", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/mcd-printer-without.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/mcd-printer-without.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/mcd-printer-without.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "Oct 2017 MCD REO Statistical Appendix", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/reo-stat-appendix-tables-with-front-matter.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/reo-stat-appendix-tables-with-front-matter.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/reo-stat-appendix-tables-with-front-matter.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } }, { "title": "reo-statistical-appendix-with-front-matter", "role": "dataset", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/reo-statistical-appendix-with-front-matter.xlsx", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/reo-statistical-appendix-with-front-matter.xlsx.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/files/publications/reo/mcd-cca/2017/october/menap/reo-statistical-appendix-with-front-matter.xlsx", "mime": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet" } } ], "alternates": { "markdown": "/en/publications/reo/meca/issues/2017/10/17/mreo1017/index.md", "json": "/en/publications/reo/meca/issues/2017/10/17/mreo1017/index.json", "bundleManifest": "/en/publications/reo/meca/issues/2017/10/17/mreo1017/bundle-manifest.json" }, "generatedAtUtc": "2026-09-06T04:13:18.506Z" }