News

The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) extends a new loan to the Arab Republic of Egypt, with an amount of Arab Accounting Dinar 153.475 million, the equivalent of approximately USD 615.8 million, to support reforms in the financial and banking sector

The AMF extended a new loan to the Arab Republic of Egypt, with the amount of Arab Accounting Dinar 153.475 million, the equivalent of approximately USD 615.8 million, within the framework of the Structural Adjustment Facility in the Financial and Banking Sector. The agreement was signed on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, by H.E.

On this occasion, H.E. the Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt expressed his appreciation for the AMF’s continued support and the important role it plays in strengthening the ability of Arab countries to maintain economic and financial stability and face different challenges. In turn, H.E. the Director General of the AMF valued the efforts pursued by the Egyptian government to implement economic and structural reforms, which contribute significantly to the development of the Egyptian economy and sustaining an enabling environment for the domestic and foreign business sectors, stressing the AMF keenness to continue the fruitful partnership with the Egyptian government to help the country address the different challenges in the most effective way.

Buna holds its 42nd virtual workshop

The workshop will demonstrate how Buna contribute to greater financial inclusion by interlinking countries and regions

The workshop will also serve to unveil newest Buna products and achievements

More than 200 senior officials will attend the workshop, representing central banks and a wide spectrum of regional and global financial institutions

Abu Dhabi, June 22nd, 2023:Buna (the cross-border payment system operated by Arab Regional Payments Clearing and Settlement Organization “ARPCSO”, owned by The Arab Monetary Fund “AMF”), will hold its 42nd workshop, on Thursday June 22nd. The workshop will demonstrate how Buna contribute to greater financial inclusion by interlinking countries and region. The workshop will also serve to unveil newest Buna products and achievements. 

One of the workshop’s sessions will demonstrate how, by connecting one region to another, Buna can influence opportunities of trade and investments between countries, and benefit individual citizens. In this context, our high level guest speakers, the deputy governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and the Deputy Director of the Financial Services for the Poor from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will elaborate on the recent initiative aiming to interlink Buna with Raast the instant payment system operated by the State Bank of Pakistan. 

The Arab Monetary Fund publishes an economic study about: “The GDP–CO2 Emissions Nexus in Arab Countries”

The study analysed the relationship between real GDP per capita, renewable energy consumption, energy prices, and CO2 emissions in Arab countries using the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework. 

Within the efforts made by the Arab Monetary Fund on studies and research activities to support economic institutions in Arab countries on issues of climate change and the relationship between the economy and the environment, the Fund published a study on "The GDP-CO2 Emissions Nexus in Arab Countries". The study aims to shed light on the relationship between economic activities and carbon dioxide emissions. The study analyses the relationship between countries' economic and environmental performance for the period from 1990 to 2020. 

The Arab Monetary Fund issues a study on “Impacts of Financial Inclusion on Human Capital Development in the Arab Region”

Financial inclusion significantly boosts human capital development in Arab countries, positively impacting education and health outcomes.

Prioritizing financial inclusion is crucial for promoting inclusive economic growth and reducing inequality, especially among marginalized populations.

The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) has conducted an important study titled "Impacts of Financial Inclusion on Human Capital Development in the Arab Region." The study sheds light on financial inclusion’s significant role in promoting human capital development, a key driver of economic growth, in Arab countries.

Financial inclusion has emerged as a crucial policy objective in numerous countries, particularly the developing world. The AMF's study examines the nexus between financial inclusion and human capital development over 15 years from 2004 to 2019, focusing specifically on Arab countries.

Human capital, which encompasses the economic value of an individual's skills, knowledge, and health, has long been recognized as a catalyst for sustained economic growth and social inclusivity. Investing in people's education, health, and well-being has proven instrumental in driving economic development and creating more inclusive societies.

The Arab Monetary Fund Releases The 18th Edition of the Arab Economic Outlook Report Including Macroeconomic Forecasts for Arab Economies for 2023 and 2024

The growth rate of Arab economies in 2023 is projected to be 3.4 percent.

The recovery of global growth, lower interest rates, and the continued implementation of development plans will likely enhance economic growth in Arab countries in 2024 to approximately 4 percent.

The Inflation rate is projected to decline to 6.8 percent in 2023 and 6.3 percent in 2024 for Arab countries (excluding countries with substantial inflationary pressures).

As part of its efforts to assist policy-makers in Arab countries, the Arab Monetary Fund has released the 18th edition of its "Arab Economic Outlook" report, which contains projections of the overall economic performance of Arab countries on multiple levels for the years 2023 and 2024.

In the context of the new ordinary loan of approximately USD 51 Million, extended by The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

The disbursement of the loan has been processed through “Buna” Payment platform, which facilitates cross-border payments in multiple currencies.

Abu Dhabi, 26 May 2023: The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) extended a new ordinary loan to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with an amount of Arab Accounting Dinar 12.79 million, the equivalent of approximately USD 51 million to support the economic reforms implemented by the kingdom. The disbursement of the loan was processed through “Buna”, the cross-border payment system operated by Arab Regional Payments Clearing and Settlement Organization “ARPCSO”, owned by The Arab Monetary Fund “AMF.” It cements its position as a reliable partner for central banks and financial institutions. 

 

The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) extends a new Ordinary Loan to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) extends a new Ordinary Loan to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with an amount of Arab Accounting Dinar 12.79 million, the equivalent of approximately USD 51 million, to support the economic reforms implemented by the Kingdom
The AMF has completed the linking of Central Bank of Jordan to “Buna Platform”, which the AMF launched to support regional financial integration and encourage inter-Arab trade and investments

The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) extended a new Ordinary Loan to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with the amount of Arab Accounting Dinar 12.79 million, the equivalent of approximately USD 51 million. The loan agreement was signed on Monday, May 15, 2023, by H.E. Dr. Mohammad Al-Ississ, Minister of Finance, on behalf of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman A. Al Hamidy, Director General Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the AMF, on behalf of the AMF, with the aim to avail financial resources to support the country’s financial position and its efforts to implement economic and financial reforms.

Buna launches a new service establishing a more accessible and more secure foreign exchange (FX) market

The new service provides financial institutions participating in Buna with an open marketplace to make FX deals directly between each other and enables safe and secure settlement of the resulting transactions in Buna.   

Abu Dhabi, May 10th, 2023:Buna (the cross-border payment system operated by Arab Regional Payments Clearing and Settlement Organization “ARPCSO”, owned by The Arab Monetary Fund “AMF”), announces the launch of its service supporting a more accessible and more secure foreign exchange (FX) market.

The new service offers an open and modern marketplace for FX, where participants in the Buna system can benefit from a modern set of APIs to exchange information and agree on the terms of their FX deals directly between each other, without the involvement of Buna or any other intermediary in these deals.

The processing of the resulting transactions is then done immediately in a safe and secure way by using the Payment versus Payment (PvP) mechanism, which ensures that settlement in one currency occurs if and only if the settlement of the other currency occurs simultaneously. 

Buna holds its 41st virtual workshop

The workshop will explore the status of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) current initiatives and their outlook

The workshop will host high-level guest speakers from the Bank of International Settlement (BIS), Banque de France, Banca d’Italia and SWIFT, among others 

Abu Dhabi, May 4th, 2023:Buna (the cross-border payment system operated by Arab Regional Payments Clearing and Settlement Organization “ARPCSO”, owned by The Arab Monetary Fund “AMF”), will hold, on Thursday May 4th, the 41st edition of its virtual workshops to explore the status of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), current initiatives and their outlook.

Buna aims to bring the latest developments and advancements to this topic and promote innovation and progress in the financial sector.  To achieve that, this workshop will host high-level guest speakers representing Bank of International Settlement (BIS), Banque de France, Banca d’Italia, SWIFT, and others, who will provide a comprehensive overview of the topic from practical and strategic perspectives. The objective will be to anticipate potential future developments relating to CBDCs and how the financial industry can prepare for the changing landscape.  

The Arab Monetary Fund issues Its annual report for the year 2022

The Fund keeps delivering on the strategy it has adopted to be the closest partner to the Arab countries

The Fund granted three additional loans to Arab countries in 2022 totaling around 120 million Arab dinars, or about 478.5 million dollars, to support emergency funding needs and the implementation of economic and financial reforms

The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) launched its 2022 annual activity report, which was approved by the Board of Governors of the Arab Monetary Fund after reviewing the Fund's efforts in providing financial and technical support to enhance economic and financial stability and achieve inclusive and sustainable growth in its member countries. 

The report details the activities and financial position of the Fund for the fiscal year that ended on December 31, 2022, as well as the financial and technical assistance it gave to its member countries through lending activities, direct and indirect technical assistance, advice, and contributions to studies, reports, bulletins, books, and booklets. It also outlines the seminars, workshops, and training courses delivered by the Fund Training Institute to strengthen and expand the capacities of official Arab cadres in central banks, ministries of finance, economy, trade, and national statistical organizations.