"Meanwhile, growth for oil importers is projected to slow from 4.2 percent in 2018 to 3.6 percent this year, reflecting the slowing global economy and domestic factors. Egypt, for instance, continues to perform strongly, while weak growth in Pakistan weighs on the region's aggregate growth rate," the report said.Meanwhile, the IMF forecasts that Arab countries will see a surge in growth rates from 2.8% in 2019 to 3.8% in 2020. "Growth in oil importers of the MENAP region is projected to remain relatively modest, constrained by persistent structural rigidities. Social tensions are rising in many countries as unemployment remains high and socioeconomic conditions worsen," the report said. Increased regional integration will also help support medium-term growth," the report noted.

Source: Egypt Today April 29, 2019 09:11 UTC