What happens when the economy shuts down and then reopens almost overnight? Two years ago, this question would have sounded far-fetched. The scenario was simply unthinkable.

Today we are navigating through the complex reality of a light-switch-type economic recovery. The rebound has been uneven across countries and industries, creating mismatches and disruptions. Will the world emerge from the pandemic with wider fault lines between rich and poor countries or will the recovery be strong and even enough to bring prosperity and growth for developing countries?

Guests:

Petya Koeva Brooks, Deputy Director in the IMF's Strategy, Policy and Review Department

Mahir Rasheed, US economist at Oxford Economics

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director of India, Middle East & Africa at IHG Hotels and Resorts

Ezra Greenberg, Partner, Strategy and Corporate Finance Practice at McKinsey and Company

Martin Hirt, Senior Partner at McKinsey and Company

Narrated by: Mustafa Alrawi, The National's assistant editor-in-chief