Limited success of the IMF and the world bank in Middle eastern reforms

Abstract EN

The functions and roles of the IMF and World Bank are analyzed in relation to structural reform in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.

Explanation is attempted for the limited impact so far by both organizations and the slow pace of accepting internationally loaned capital accompanied by proposed reforms.

The reasons include modest levels of spending, an anti

Strategic rents, and most significantly the survival of close state management in the production sector.

The state sector has become a platform for maintaining the vested interests.

Therefore, the entrenched powers have little incentive to implement drastic economic or structural reforms that would reverse their prerogatives and are naturally mote inclined to maintaining a status quo.