 From 1979 to 1981 he worked as advisor to the governor of the Banque du Liban, Lebanon's central bank, and taught economics at the American University of Beirut.In 1981, he began to work at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, in several positions, including director of the Middle East and North Africa regions based in Cairo.His tenure continued until his appointment as minister of Economy and Trade (2005–2008).