The MERI Economic Forum 2016 is the first of its kind to be held in Iraq or the Kurdistan Region. Iraq and the KRI, at the time of the forum in April 2016, were in the midst of a severe financial and economic crisis and searching for ways to move away from the rentier-state economic model to restructure and grow the economy.
Policy- and decision-makers were convened at the Saad Abdullah Conference Hall in Erbil from the KRG and the Central Government with international experts, foreign diplomats, and academics to discuss and debate models that have been successful in other countries and opportunities for the KRI, as well as to critique policies related to budget, public administration, management of natural resources, regulation of the financial sector, and sources and spending of government revenues.
The debates had policy-makers face expert critiques and resulted in concrete recommendations for the KRG and the Central Government in Iraq. The attached report on the MERI Economic Forum 2016 includes summaries for each panel, as well as a recommendation section at the end. You can find a video of each panel discussion on the MERI Forum webpage.
Download the Summary Report in English.
The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent views of MERI.
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About MERI: The Middle East Research Institute (MERI) is internationally ranked as Iraq’s leading think tank and policy research institute. As an independent, non-profit, grant-funded organisation, MERI advances evidence-based policymaking, democratic governance, and sustainable development through research, policy analysis, dialogue, and public engagement. MERI’s research focuses on Iraq, the Levant and the wider Middle East, covering governance, state-building, foreign policy, regional security, post-conflict recovery, violent extremism, displacement, minority rights, women’s rights, civil society, Baghdad–Erbil relations, and broader geopolitical developments. Through its publications, policy dialogues, and the annual MERI Forum, MERI brings together policymakers, diplomats, academics, and civil society leaders to promote informed debate and practical policy solutions for the region’s most pressing challenges.