Zeine Zeidane, a national of Mauritania, is Assistant Director in the IMF’s Strategy, Policy, and Review Department. He was previously an advisor in the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, leading the work on the United Arab Emirates, as well as on Islamic Finance. He also served as mission chief for Algeria. Before joining the IMF in March 2012, he held several positions in Mauritania, notably as Prime Minister, Governor of the Central Bank, and Economic Advisor to the President. He has also worked with the World Bank and the banking sector. Mr. Zeidane holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics and a Post-graduate Degree in Macroeconomics from the University of Nice, France.