Dr. Nasser Saidi participated in the presentation and discussion hosted by the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSIW) ahead of the publication of an IMF report on Digitalisation in the GCC – held as a webinar on March 11th, 2025.

The Gulf Cooperation Council member countries have actively embraced digital transformation, making notable progress in the extensive development of digital infrastructure, the maturity of government digitalization, and a dynamic ecosystem for financial technology activities.

In a forthcoming paper, the International Monetary Fund highlights the positive relationship between progress in digitalization and more favorable macroeconomic and financial outcomes, including economic growth, government effectiveness, financial inclusion, and private sector resilience to shock.

New analysis by the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (along with Nasser Saidi & Associates and Developing Trade Consultants) also emphasizes the important and growing role of digitalization in supporting growth and economic diversification.

Within the context of these two papers, what additional efforts can be made toward improving digital skills, industry, and innovation? What are the challenges raised by the broad adoption of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, especially relating to cybersecurity and the potential effect on the labor market? Could comprehensive strategies help further accelerate the GCC countries’ already impressive progress on digitalization and support their broader economic transformation agendas?

Watch the discussion below:

Dr. Nasser Saidi gave the opening keynote presentation “Jordan: Adjustment & Reform along the Path(s) to Economic Prosperity” at EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 Jordan Forum titled “The Path to Economic Prosperity” in Amman on the 26th of November 2018.
The presentation covered the global macroeconomic outlook and risks, and focused on Jordan’s economic performance and recent reforms. Dr. Saidi also proposed a list of structural reforms needed for private sector development in Jordan, including increasing female labour force participation and a national digitalisation policy. The talk ended with a slide on focused reforms for “Paths to Prosperity” for Jordan.
Click here to download the presentation.