{"id":8,"date":"2019-10-21T12:02:32","date_gmt":"2019-10-21T12:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/avadawebsites.wpengine.com\/author\/?page_id=8"},"modified":"2025-09-03T17:18:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T17:18:44","slug":"about-me","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rajaalmarzoqi.com\/?page_id=8","title":{"rendered":"About Me"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Dr. Raja M. Almarzoqi <\/b>is the GCC Chief Negotiator, the Chief Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Economic and Planning, faculty member in Economic Division at Prince Saud Alfaisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, and Expert at the IMF. He was a president of Gulf Monetary Council (GMCO); prior to GMCO he was an Advisor at the IMF, Washington, DC. In addition, Raja worked as a consultant to many government, private organizations, Regional and International Organizations(World Bank, ARAMCO, General Investment Authority (SAGIA), Supreme Commission for Tourism, Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), Alkhabeer Capital and KACST\u2026etc). He has teaching\/lecturing experience at (King Saud University; MIT Sloan Management School; International Monetary Fund; Thunderbird Global Business School) in several subjects in economics. Also, he was a board member in several organizations and Funds. Mr.Almarzoqi is specialized in policy modeling for macroeconomic impact assessment, Money and Banking, international finance, and Finance. He presented research papers at major local and international conferences and published papers in major Middle East journals and book and chapter in books. Mr. Almarzoqi holds a B.A. from King Saud University in economics, M.A. from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in Quantitative economics and Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater in economics and finance<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

numbers<\/h3><\/div>
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Printed Publication<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Scientific Research<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Leadership Position<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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CURRENT<\/span><\/div><\/h1><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\u2022 G<\/b><\/span><\/span>CC General Coordinator and Chief Negotiator<\/b><\/span>, <\/span>Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council. – <\/span>March2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Faculty Member Economic Division<\/b><\/span>, <\/span>Institute of Diplomatic Studies, Riyadh. 2010- present.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Chief Economic Advisor<\/b><\/span>, Ministry of Economics and Planning. Nov.2018- Present.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Expert<\/b><\/span>, <\/span>International Monetary Fund. April 2019- Present.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Member of the Advisory Committee<\/b><\/span>, <\/span>Euro-Mediterranean Network for Economic Studies (EMNES) in <\/span>Brussel co-funded by European Commission. March 2018-Present.<\/span><\/p>\n

The EMNES Advisory Committee is composed of invited senior economists and international experts and <\/span>leaders. It\u2019s role of to advise on the strategies, ideas and research topics to enhance the scope and the quality of EMNES research and to ensure EMNES research is relevant for policy making.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Member of the Advisory Council<\/b><\/span>, <\/span>king Khalid University 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Board Member and Vice Chairman<\/b><\/span>, <\/span>Saudi Financial Association (Non-Profit <\/span>Organization), Riyadh. – 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Board Member<\/b><\/span>, <\/span>Social Economic Association (Non-Profit Organization), Riyadh<\/span>. – <\/span>2020.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Board Member<\/b><\/span>, <\/span>Alwadi Co; Established and owned by the PIF Jan 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div>

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP | MANAGEMENT<\/div><\/h1><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Equipped economic\/monetary\/financial organizations to focus clearly and efficiently on high-level issues and increased broader impact.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Member of the Advisory Council<\/b>, The Holt XChange Fintech Global Fund, Canada 2022.
<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Lead Co-Chair<\/b>, Task Force 3: Infrastructure investment and Financing in Think Tank 20 (T20) one of the G20 working Groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>President<\/b>, Gulf Monetary Council, Saudi Arabia, 10.2015 – 03.2018<\/p>\n

Headed organization created by GCC\u2019s countries Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain to establish a common currency and a Gulf Central Bank. Within two years, changed the administrative foundation of this monetary union initiative, mandated by Gulf region countries, into a strategy-driven team of economic and monetary experts supported by international agencies (IMF, World Bank, etc.) and government thought leaders.<\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Senior Management<\/b>, (Title: Advisor), International Monetary Fund (IMF), U.S., 02.2012 \u2013 09.2015<\/p>\n

As Mission Chief, advised government leaders in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan on building macro economic frameworks, and led efforts to reform economics policies to strength the role of private sector to led the growth.<\/p>\n

Policy-lead for private sector in the MCD countries provided the mission chiefs with policy suggestions to enhance the role of the private sector on the growth of the economy. In addition, <\/span>conducted conferences and workshops with leaders from private sector and governments to discuss <\/span>economic policies needed to design policy recommendations for governments in the region to hav <\/span>the right climate for private sector to grow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Chief Economist<\/b>, Alkhabeer Capital, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, 01.2011 – 01.2012<\/p>\n

Built research capability in economics for this major investment bank in Saudi Arabia. Analyzed <\/span>local, regional, and global economies to recommend short- and long-term implications, and <\/span>represented the company in public and private meetings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>President<\/b>, Asian Studies Center at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies, 05.2008 \u2013 05.2010<\/p>\n

Analyzed for this think tank the impact of global and Asian issues on the Saudi economy to <\/span>strengthen the relationship between Asia and Saudi Arabia.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>Head<\/b>, Monetary Union Unit for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, 01.2005 \u2013 03.2008<\/span><\/p>\n

Led this research unit, established by Governors of GCC Central Banks, in the early stage of exploring and defining the best way to establish the monetary union for <\/span>GCC\u2019s countries, as.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>General Director<\/b>, Department of Planning and Development, Institute of Diplomatic Studies, 11.2003 \u2013 11.2004<\/span><\/p>\n

Designed five-year strategic plan for this high-level training organization that prepared authorities for international assignments<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/span>General Director<\/b>, Department of Economics and Research, Ministry of Planning and Economic, 06.2001 \u2013 06.2002<\/span><\/p>\n

Prepared the country five years development plan, analyzed the economy, review the implementation of the previous plan, and improved the models work.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div>

CONSULTING<\/div><\/h1><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Cultivated sound economic and financial thinking and practical policies for business, government, NGO, and<\/span>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

academic decision-makers<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Advised the newly established REAL ESTATE Commission<\/b> to build a real estate\u2019s strategy to improve the efficiency and reduce the asymmetric information on the sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Drafted study on privatization in the Middle East for The World Bank<\/b> with specific recommendations on how the Saudi Government could privatize government\u2019s agencies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Assisted ARAMCO<\/b> in building a General Equilibrium Model to analyze their investment in the Saudi Arabian economy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Designed five-year strategic plan and redefined objectives for the Royal Commission for Jubail and <\/b>Yanbu<\/b>, and analyzed how to enhance the petrochemical industry\u2019s share of GDP.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Supported King Saud University\u2019s<\/b> efforts to establish Riyadh Technical Valley and build its ecosystem<\/p>\n

\u2022 Analyzed the impact of the tourism on Saudi economy for the Supreme Commission for Tourism <\/b>using<\/b> an Input-Output Model, and identified the multiplier for the sector – the first in its kind for <\/span>Saudi economy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Prepared first report on investment and FDI in Saudi Arabia for Saudi Arabia General Investment <\/b>Authority.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Assisted founders of prominent Saudi firm Muwteen Real Estate<\/b> in forming the company\u2019s early stage and a strategy for assessing potential investment projects<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Provided advisory services through EuroPraxis Consulting<\/b> (Spain) to private and public sectors in Saudi Arabia on economic issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Developed strategies for Middle East and Central Asian countries to incorporate the private sector as a driving force for economic growth (<\/span>IMF<\/b>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Created and taught a program to upgrade the effectiveness of parliamentarians in the Middle East and Central Asia (<\/span>IMF<\/b>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Led team to research and resolve complex economic issues in Central Asian countries (IMF<\/b>).<\/p>\n

\u2022 Participated in year-long research project, commissioned by King Abdullah (King of Saudi Arabia), to analyze and prevent repetition of the 2006 crash of the Saudi Stock Market.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Co-founded and built Prince Sultan Bin Abdul-Aziz Fund for Women Development<\/b> to finance and empower entrepreneurship among women in Saudi Arabia.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Served as an independent director for multiple funds \u2013 REITs, money markets, etc.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Assisted the Government of Saudi Arabia in building micro finance fund to tackle.<\/p>\n

poverty, and served on the board of the National Fund<\/b>, established by King Abdullah, for two terms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Designed and reviewed investment portfolio for AHL Investment company<\/b> and represented the company in board meetings and General Assembly of companies in <\/span>which they have equities.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div>

TEACHING | PRESENTATIONS<\/div><\/h1><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Converted complex economic theories and applications into terminology and practices that business leaders, government managers, students and others could understand and use.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Taught numerous courses as Associate, Adjunct, or Guest Professor at MIT, Thunderbird, and King<\/p>\n

Saud University for everyone from business leaders to young students from multiple countries<\/p>\n

\u2022 Coordinated training on diverse economic issues for:<\/p>\n

– Staff in the Middle East\/Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund.<\/p>\n

– Parliamentarians from Middles East and Central Asian Countries<\/p>\n

– High-level authorities from Middles East and Central Asian Countries<\/p>\n

\u2022 Organized, helped lead, and\/or produced reports for a wide range of workshops\/seminars for the<\/p>\n

International Monetary Fund, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the World Bank and the Council of<\/p>\n

Saudi Chambers, Center for Asian Studies, Booz & Company, King Saud University, and European<\/p>\n

Central Banks. Topics included macro-economics, managing risks, bilateral relations, financial<\/p>\n

crises, investment obstacles, privatization, private sector-led growth, currency hedging, Islamic<\/p>\n

finance, and real estate economics<\/p>\n

\u2022 Designed and delivered courses in bilateral relations, regional economics, finance and other issues<\/p>\n

related to global economics to prepare government employees for international assignments<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div>

EDUCATION<\/div><\/h1><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\u2022 Ph.D., Economics and Finance (Joint Degree), Oklahoma State University, Stillwater Dissertation: \u201cStock Market Development and Economic Growth in a Dynamic Compatible General Equilibrium Model: The Case of Saudi Arabia\u201d (Nominated for Oklahoma State University Research Excellence Award)<\/p>\n

\u2022 M.A., Applied Economics, specializing in econometrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor<\/p>\n

\u2022 B.A., Economics, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia Awarded \u201cIdeal Student,\u201d College of Business Administration<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3261,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rajaalmarzoqi.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rajaalmarzoqi.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rajaalmarzoqi.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajaalmarzoqi.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajaalmarzoqi.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajaalmarzoqi.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3394,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajaalmarzoqi.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8\/revisions\/3394"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rajaalmarzoqi.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rajaalmarzoqi.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}