02061cas a2200241 a 4500 AALejournalIMF020812 230101c9999 xx r poo 0 0eng d 20.00 USD 9781513536811 2071-4122 BD-DhAAL BD-DhAAL International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept. Regional Economic Outlook, April 2020, Middle East and Central Asia. Washington, D.C. : International Monetary Fund, 2020. 1 online resource (29 pages) Regional Economic Outlook <strong>Off-Campus Access:</strong> No User ID or Password Required <strong>On-Campus Access:</strong> No User ID or Password Required Electronic access restricted to authorized BRAC University faculty, staff and students Countries of the Middle East and Central Asia region have been hit by two large and reinforcing shocks, resulting in significantly weaker growth projections in 2020. In addition to the devastating toll on human health, the COVID-19 pandemic and the plunge in oil prices are causing economic turmoil in the region, with fragile and conflict affected states particularlyhard-hit given already large humanitarian and refugee challenges and weak health infrastructures. The immediate priority for policies is to save lives with needed health spending, regardless of fiscal space, while preserving engines of growth with targeted support to households and hard-hit sectors. In this context, the IMF has been providing emergency assistance to help countries in the region during these challenging times. Further ahead, economic recoveries should be supported with broad fiscal and monetary measures where policy space is available, and by seeking external assistance where space is limited. Mode of access: Internet Regional Economic Outlook Full text available on IMF http://elibrary.imf.org/view/books/086/28914-9781513536811-en/28914-9781513536811-en-book.xml IMF e-Library