The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is concerned about the tragic loss of life in the war between Israel and Hamas and the destruction and reduction in economic activity it is causing, as this war is already affecting the economies of neighboring countriesIMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said today in a speech at an investor forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“What’s happening in the Middle East is happening at a time when growth is slow and interest rates are high and the cost of servicing the debt has gone up because of Covid and war,” he said.

The war between Israel and Hamas is already affecting the economies of neighboring countriesthe head of the IMF also pointed out during her speech at the forum.

“Look at the neighboring countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, where the effects are already visible,” emphasized Kristalina Georgieva.

“What we are seeing is more nervousness in an already nervous world,” said the head of the IMF. “There are countries that depend on tourism and uncertainty is negative for tourist flows,” he added.

Describing the specific risks for the region, she underlined that “investors will hesitate to go to these countries, that the cost of insurance – if you want to transport goods – will increase and that there is also a risk that the number of refugees in countries will increase which have already welcomed many”.