CASE at the High-Level Stakeholders Meeting in Cairo

Three CASE Fellows, Ahmed Ghoneim, Marek Dabrowski and Emmanuel Bergasse, took part in the High-Level Stakeholders Meeting in Cairo, which was organized within the MEDPRO project. The objective of the conference was to discuss the MEDPRO scenarios and policy recommendations with the local authorities and representatives of civil society in Egypt.

Marek Dąbrowski spoke about the economic challenges faced by the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries and provided macroeconomic policy recommendations, as well as recommendations for private sector development and privatization. Part of his presentation was devoted to major social challenges in the region, among which he mentioned demography and the labor market, income inequality, gender discrimination and education.

The presentation delivered by Ahmed Ghoneim focused on trade and economic integration, with special attention paid to non-tariff measures (NTMs) and transport. Mr. Ghoneim said that transport costs and non-tariff barriers negatively affect trade in Mediterranean countries. However, before embarking on NTM elimination, a cost-benefit analysis should first be conducted.

Emmanuel Bergasse’s presentation covered energy subsidies which, he claims, turn out to be unfair and inefficient in mitigating energy poverty, in addition to being costly for public budgets. As an alternative to subsidies, he presented Jordan’s experience with targeted support.

Read more about the MEDPRO project here.