For the IMF, Arab countries that vaccinate will regain their pre-coronavirus economy in 2022

While the IMF predicts that Arab countries vaccinating their populations will return to their pre-Covid-19 economy in 2022, Lebanon would be the only one excluded.

Here, a demonstrators in Beirut on April 10, 2021. REUTERS - AZIZ TAHER

Text by: RFI Follow

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The economies of the Middle East and North Africa which have most vaccinated their populations against Covid-19 will return in 2022 to their pre-pandemic level, announced on Sunday April 11, the International Monetary Fund, as part of the of its regional growth forecasts for 2021. These countries have seen their gross domestic product (GDP) decline by nearly 3.5% in 2020, due to the fall in the price of oil and sanitary restrictive measures.

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This is good news for all Arab countries and

Iran

.

Their growth should reach 4% this year, estimates the IMF, an increase of almost a point compared to its previous estimates.

More specifically, the growth of the

oil-rich

Gulf States

, which will have vaccinated their populations, will increase by some 2.5% this year.

These countries will return to pre-crisis equilibrium in 2022.

Countries affected by vaccine shortages will have to wait

On the other hand, the other countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region affected by vaccine shortages, delivery delays, political conflicts and economic difficulties, will have to wait until 2022 or 2023 to take their head out. some water.

Only Lebanon,

wiped out by a succession of economic, social and political crises

, will not see the end of the tunnel this year.

Difficult 

" to help Lebanon

The Cedar Country had entered into negotiations with the International Monetary Fund last year to obtain its assistance.

In vain: " 

In the absence of a government

, it is very difficult for us to provide anything other than technical assistance and political support

 ," said Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia department at the IMF.

 To read also: 

Covid-19: the other threat to the economy, the fall in the birth rate caused by the pandemic

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