Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Ali Fakih

Ali Fakih

Power-sharing, ethnic divisions and the onset of civil wars in Syria

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Shahrokh Fardoust

Shahrokh Fardoust

Retooling development aid in the 21st century

The importance of budget support for progress on sustainable development

How can the digital economy benefit everyone in the Arab world—and prevent the region from falling farther behind?

Economic issues affecting MENA through the lens of public opinion

How can the Biden administration help improve MENA’s economic prospects?

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Mohammad Reza Farzanegan

Mohammad Reza Farzanegan

Losing the key to joy: how oil rents undermine patience and economic growth

Economic consequences of the 2003 Bam earthquake in Iran

Sanctions and energy efficiency in Iran’s industries

Corruption in Iran: the role of oil rents

Economic roots of early marriage in Iran

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Mehdi Feizi

Mehdi Feizi

Economic roots of early marriage in Iran

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Kais Feki

Kais Feki

Non-tariff measures in the Arab region

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Most read

Global value chains and sustainable development

What is the role of exchange rate undervaluation in promoting participation in global value chains by firms in developing countries? What is the impact of the stringency of national environmental regulations on firms’ GVC participation? And how do firms’ political connections affect their participation in GVCs? These questions will be explored for the MENA region at a special session of the ERF annual conference, which takes place in Cairo in April 2025.

Adoption of decentralised solar energy: lessons from Palestinian households

The experience of Palestinian households offers a compelling case study of behavioural adaptation to energy poverty via solar water heater adoption. This column highlights the key barriers to solar energy adoption in terms of both the socio-economic status and dwellings of potential users. Policy-makers need to address these barriers to ensure a just and equitable transition, particularly for households in conflict-affected areas across the MENA region.

Migration, human capital and labour markets in MENA

Migration is a longstanding and integral part of the MENA region’s economic and social fabric, with profound implications for labour markets and human capital development. To harness the potential of migration for promoting economic and social development, policy-makers must aim to deliver mutual benefits for origin countries, host countries and migrants. Such a triple-win strategy requires better data, investment in return migration, skill partnerships, reduced remittance costs and sustained support for host countries.

Shifting gears: how the private sector can be an engine of growth in MENA

Businesses are a key source of productivity growth, innovation and jobs. But in the Middle East and North Africa, the private sector is not dynamic and the region has a long history of low growth. This column summarises a new report explaining how a brighter future for MENA’s private sector is within reach if governments rethink their role and firms harness talent effectively.

Building net-zero futures: Asian lessons for MENA’s construction sector

Three big economies in Asia are achieving carbon neutrality in construction. This column draws lessons from Japan, Taiwan and Thailand – and explains why, given the vast solar potential and growing focus on environmental, social and governance matters in the Middle East and North Africa, governments in the region must adopt similarly ambitious policies and partnerships.

Losing the key to joy: how oil rents undermine patience and economic growth

How does reliance on oil revenues shape economic behaviour worldwide? This column reports new research showing that oil rents weaken governance, eroding patience – a key driver of economic growth and, according to the 13th century Persian poet Rumi, ‘the key to joy’. Policy measures to counter the damage include enhancing transparency in oil revenue management, strengthening independent oversight institutions and ensuring that sovereign wealth funds have robust rules of governance.




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