SRMG Think Hosts High-Level Discussion on IMF's Latest GCC Economic Report in Riyadh
Senior policymakers, economic experts, and private sector leaders gather to review IMF's economic outlook for the GCC amid geopolitical challenges.
SRMG Think hosted a high-level discussion in Riyadh focusing on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest report on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The event, titled 'Gulf Cooperation Council — Pursuing Visions Amid Geopolitical Turbulence — Economic Prospects and Policy Priorities for the GCC Countries,' brought together senior policymakers, diplomats, economic experts, and private sector leaders.
The discussion covered the region's economic resilience, growth in non-hydrocarbon sectors, ongoing reforms, and policy priorities for the medium term.
Attendees also examined risks to the economic outlook and the role of the private sector in long-term transformation.Amine Mati, Assistant Director and Head of the GCC Division at the IMF, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant reform progress, noting robust domestic demand, strong non-oil growth, and advancements in research and development (R&D).
Mati emphasized Saudi Arabia's position as a regional innovation hub, driven by fiscal reforms and a skilled workforce.
He also pointed out that the Kingdom's non-oil revenue had doubled in the past five years, with fiscal and external buffers remaining strong.Nedaa Almubarak, Managing Director of SRMG Think, underscored the importance of data-driven discussions in shaping economic policies.
She highlighted the commitment to facilitating high-impact dialogues among policymakers, experts, and industry leaders to navigate the region’s economic challenges.The discussion was moderated by Hazar Caracalla, Senior Policy Advisor at SRMG Think, and featured a presentation by Balazs Csonto, Deputy Director of the IMF Regional Office in Riyadh.
Csonto outlined key findings from the report, recent economic developments in the GCC, and strategies to mitigate risks to the region's economic outlook.