As countries in the GCC slowly ease restrictions, this week’s Insight section charts how countries are coping with Covid19, its impact and stimulus packages. Markets Global stock markets had a... Read More
Economic Commentary
View all Articles, Op-eds & Blog Posts
View all
Dr. Nasser Saidi’s interview (Arabic) in Nidaa Al Watan on the need to reform and restructure Lebanon’s banking & financial... Read More
Latest tweets
1
Recent & Upcoming Events
Jun 4: Panelist at OMFIF webinar on Sovereign debt restructuring in emerging markets
May 22: Speaker at the YPO Lebanon webinar
May 17: Panelist at Sheikh Rashed Virtual Majlis on the “Effects of COVID19 on the UAE’s economy”
May 13: Panelist at NUS Middle East Institute webinar “The GCC’s Double Dilemma: Tackling COVID-19 and Falling Oil Prices”
May 6: Panelist at the CEBC webinar “A Pandemic, Oil Price Collapse, A Recession: Is the Future still Green?”
Apr 27: Panelist at the IMF MENA REO report launch (DIFC)
Apr 24: Speaker at the webinar hosted by the Harvard University Alumni Association of Lebanon and the Harvard Business Club in Lebanon
Publications / All
The MENA-OECD Working Group on Investment and Trade‘s 2018 meeting was... Read More
The commencement speechat the Universite St. Joseph was delivered by... Read MoreIn the Media
Dr. Nasser Saidi was interviewed on Lebanon’s electricity sector & reforms. For many years, the electricity crisis in Lebanon has been at the forefront as one of the most difficult crises that burdened Lebanese citizens and drained billions of dollars from the country’s economy, in light of the almost complete absence of reforms and solutions. Dr. Nasser Saidi shares his thoughts below. The Sky News Arabia TV interview can be viewed directly at this original link.
Dr. Nasser Saidi’s comments on Lebanon’s request for IMF Assistance appeared as part of various newspaper articles. A collection of comments and original links are provided below. 1. The Reuters article titled “Lebanon’s IMF rescue plan fails to set reform roadmap” was published on 18th May 2020. This was later reprinted as a Brinkwire article was published on 30th May 2020. The political elite will shy away from real reform as with four previous aid and soft-loan packages since Lebanon’s civil war – and that they are underestimating how hard the IMF will push for deep changes before agreeing to help. “They are trying to present a plan that the... Read More
Dr. Nasser Saidi’s comments on Saudi Arabia’s austerity drive & tripling of VAT were part of the Reuters article titled “Promise of future prosperity fades as austerity hits Saudis’ pockets”, which was published on 12th May 2020. Comments are posted below. Dubai-based economist Nasser Saidi said any additional revenues from the VAT hike would be negligible and the move will likely sharpen the recession. “It would add an unnecessary shock to the system at a time when businesses are struggling to stay afloat, households are experiencing lower incomes and expatriates without jobs are returning home,” he said.
Dr. Nasser Saidi was interviewed on the restructuring of Lebanese banks under the government’s reform plan. The CNBC Arabia TV interview can be viewed via this tweet or directly at https://www.pscp.tv/w/1vAxRBrjOzPxl?t=34
Dr. Nasser Saidi’s comments on Lebanon’s economic rescue plan and request for IMF assistance were part of the Reuters article titled “Lebanon banks reject rescue plan as government asks IMF for help“, which was published on 1st May 2020. Comments are posted below. “This means the onset of serious negotiations with the IMF so this is very important and good news because it removes a lot of uncertainty. Having said that, the issue in Lebanon has always been one of execution,” former economy minister Nasser Saidi said of the 53-page plan.
