Contributor(s): Massood Ahmed | Moderate growth is anticipated in the Middle East and North Africa region for this year, with oil exporters’ healthy growth rates moderating and mild recovery in the oil importers. However, complex political and social conditions, a challenging external environment, and low policy buffers burden the region’s oil importers. Difficult and unpopular policy choices coupled with a bold structural reform agenda will be necessary to maintain macroeconomic stability, create jobs, and promote inclusive growth. Masood Ahmed has been Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since November 2008. Between 2003 and 2006 he served as Director General for Policy and International Development at the U.K. government’s Department for International Development. He previously held positions in the IMF and the World Bank, working on areas that included international economic policy relating to debt, aid effectiveness, trade, and global economic prospects. He is a graduate of the London School of Economics.