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Algeria detains reporter for investigating date exports

In Algeria a news article or investigation on the problems facing the exports of dates could lead to jail. This was the case of Belkacem Houam, a reporter with Echourouk who was sent behind bars for a story on the export ban of Deglet Nour dates. He is facing charges of undermining public order and […]

North Africa Will No Longer Benefit from Europe Preferential Trade System in 2014

The EU has issued lately its revised import preference scheme – known as the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) – for developing countries most in need which will take effect from 1 January 2014. The new list of beneficiaries from GSP does not include North African countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco & Tunisia. With […]

IMF secures $330m debt relief for Somalia

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it has secured more than $330m in debt relief for Somalia. The African nation has about $5 billion in external debt, accounting for about 100% of its GDP, which the Fund has declared to be unsustainable. The $330m brings the country a crucial step closer to receiving forgiveness for […]