A major objective of the Institute is to promote research and other academic activities in financial, monetary and international economics but also in other areas such as trade,  development and institutions.  It aims to become a major research center in these areas in particular as concerns the Middle East and the North Africa region.  Emphasis is placed on policy-oriented empirical work that could be beneficial to governments and organizations concerned with the design of economic financial and developmental policies.  Towards this objective it also holds seminar, workshops and lectures that, among other things, bring together academicians, financial managers and experts, and policy makers to analyze issues of relevance at the policy level.

The Institute encourages collaborative work with appropriate national, regional and international organizations, and research center.  It also accommodates visiting scholars and experts for various intervals of time to conduct research at the institute.

In 2003, the institute initiated a guest lecture and working paper series.  The lectures are by invited scholars and experts and except for minor editorial changes, are circulated as presented.  The working papers incorporate preliminary findings of ongoing research work being undertaken at the Institute and elsewhere.  To access this series of publications , click here.