Shant conducts research and analysis on international economic and macro-financial issues. Prior to joining APRI Armenia, Shant worked as a research analyst at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), covering countries in the Middle East and Central Asia. His focus was on cross-border spillovers, international trade and capital flows, and long-term growth issues.

In 2022, he supported IMF consultations with the government of Kazakhstan, advising the authorities on spillovers from the Russian economy, as well as on balance of payments and monetary policy.

He is co-author of a book on income inequality in the Middle East and North Africa “Promoting Inclusive Growth in the Middle East and North Africa: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World”, author of a peer-reviewed paper on Russia’s economy, and has published several IMF working papers on labor markets, monetary policy, and long-term growth.

Shant holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Lafayette College.

Field of expertise: International macroeconomics, markets, capital flows, Russia’s economy.