The Macroeconomic Policy Division of the ECA, in collaboration with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), will organize a Validation Workshop on the Draft Arab-Africa Fact Book from 22-23 October 2017 in Khartoum, Sudan. Based on five sample counties (two from the Arab World and three from Africa), the Fact Book looks into the economic and financial ties between Africa and the Arab World.

The Fact Book explores areas of potential cooperation between Arab and African countries focusing on opportunities for economic transformation. The key motive behind the production of the Arab-Africa Fact Book to generate knowledge that could enhance capacity of Member States and regional economic communities to develop and implement policies and programmes in the areas of trade and the creation of an environment conducive to attracting investments between the two regions. More specifically, the Fact Book will provide an in-depth data and information on the existing economic and financial ties between Arab and African countries, analyze constraints and explore opportunities for enhancing these ties. In this regard, it will inform dialogue on issues of institutions, policy coordination and cooperation aimed at strengthening partnership and common positions on global economic issues.

This exercise leads to strengthened partnerships between the Arab World and African States since tracking key economic and financial indicators of cooperation between the two regions will be essential for benchmarking Africa-Arab economic relations, identify challenges and opportunities in such relationships and crafting strategies to leverage the relationship for the mutual benefit of both regions.

The Validation Workshop is expected to bring together experts, academia, researchers and policy makers from selected African countries and the Arab World to discuss and validate the Fact Book.

Date: 22-23 October 2017

Venue: Al Salam Rotana Hotel, Khartoum, Sudan