Economists are getting increasingly optimistic about the plan of Tunisia’s Prime Minister, Mehdi Jomaa, to tackle persistent unemployment and a tight budget. Mr Jomaa has recently visited a number of Gulf countries, accompanied by a delegation of businesspeople led by the head of the Tunisian Union of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts (UTICA), Wided Bouchamaoui. Mr […]
Emerging Markets
Bahrain International Investment Park opens its doors
The business park of 2.5-million-sq-m in Hidd at the Gulf Industry Fair, which opened in Bahrain on Feb 4, is a highlight of business opportunities Bahrain International Investment Park (BIIP) offers. A total number of 105 companies exist at the park out of which 30 were approved of last year, and when in full use […]
Egypt : Investors begin their return
As elections draw close this year, Egypt aims at attracting foreign currency into the country after investments almost dried up following the revolution which overthrew Hosni Mubarak in 2011. This cause, aimed at easing social discontent and creating jobs, is supported by state-linked investors and Dubai retailer Majid Al Futtaim. The company is the holder […]
President Hollande : France ‘Must Double’ Trade with Africa
“France must double its trade with Africa,” Hollande called on French business leaders during a major conference of French and African business leaders in Paris on Wednesday (4 December). If France can manage to achieve this, some 200,000 jobs will be created in France over the next five years. Hollande’s comments came ahead of a […]
How to Attract FDI to Maghreb: Casablanca Financial City a la ‘Shenzhen’
When in January 2013 the chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, attended the 5th international conference of finance ministers and central banks governors of the Maghreb countries, she talked about the necessity of boosting growth and employment within the region, while also reminding the distinguished audience that political issues still constitute a […]
Time is right for business in Tunisia
Despite Tunisia’s political turbulences and incertitude, some experts believe that it is the right moment to venture into the North African country and seize the opportunity that it offers. Oualid Hamdi believes that the negative ratings of major credit ratings agencies and the standoff between the government and the secular opposition parties should not deter […]
Libya will invest $140 billion in reconstruction
Libya could be investing $140 billion on infrastructure, energy, utilities and industry to assure a sustainable future within the next 10 years of the rebuilding process. A major business conference dubbed “Libya Projects 2013” will be organized by MEED, in association with Business Mirror from the 3rd – 5th of June, to verse local and […]
Egypt considers return to bond markets
Egypt is considering a U-turn to international bond markets a few days after Morocco capitalized on cheap borrowing costs to reopen old bonds and raise $750 million. Its return will be the first time since the end of the revolution, after the new law allowing the country to issue Islamic-compliant bonds for the first time. […]
Libya and Egypt eye Free Trade Zone
Shortly after Prime Minister Ali Zeidan’s return from an overnight visit to Egypt, a source close to his cabinet have revealed that the visit was centered on developing bilateral economic relations amongst which is the establishment of a free trade zone. Part of Prime Minister Zeidan’s visit was aimed at how to get Egyptian companies […]
Algeria offers Russia open investment opportunities
According to a statement released by the Algerian Ministry of Oil, Algeria is willing to open the door to Russia in an invitation made to Minster Alexander Novak. Algeria wants a stronger cooperation between oil and gas companies from the two countries in order to strengthen their participation at OPEC. The Algerian minister offered investment […]









