Business Energy Features

Libya: Protesters defy government agreement

Shortly after Prime Minister Ali Zeidan announced on Wednesday that the Al-Harriga terminal which has a production capacity of 110,000 barrels will resume production and exportation after reaching an agreement with the protesters. Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) published on its website that it has lifted the force majeure on the oil terminal on Thursday. […]

Business Energy Features

Turkey and Iraq to discuss Kurd oil deals

Iraq’s Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari will be on a working visit to neighboring Turkey as both countries continue to reinforce their bilateral relations. Ahead of his arrival on Friday, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said that they are implementing projects worth billions of dollars in Iraq and willing to continue abiding by its rules. During […]

Business Energy Features

Egypt denies Israel gas interest

Egypt has denied the claims of an Israeli Minster that the shortage of gas has forced them into buying gas from Israel. Although Egypt is experiencing gas shortages, it denied contacting Israeli authorities for a possible gas deal. An unpopular 20-year gas supply deal to Israel from Egypt under the Mubarak regime was terminated by […]

Business Features Finance

The Fed Up, the ECB Down: Time to Endow the ECB with a Level Playing Field

After years of loose monetary policy, with 0.5 percent interest rate and three consecutive waves of quantitative easing (QE), including buying US$ 85 billion per month of Treasury bonds (T-bonds), Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Fed’s board of governors, announced in May the Fed’s intention to commence tapering its asset purchase program. The Fed’s […]

Business Emerging Markets Features

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 […]

Business Features Finance

Tunisia introduces austerity measures

The government has revealed that it will introduce austerity measures to curb its budget deficit. Finance Minister Elyes Fakhfakh’s announcement could further stir up the heightened political crisis to new levels. The decision will imply the reduction of public expenditure and the freezing of public salaries. The move is not expected to be welcomed by […]

Business Features Finance

Libya to use its financial reserves before November

Finance Minister Alkilani Abdelkarim al-Jazi has warned that the blockage of oil ports should come to an end as soon as possible because the finances of the state have begun to feel the effects. Oil is Libya’s major revenue and the siege on ports and oilfields especially in the east have almost brought production to […]

Business Energy Features

Egypt: Get paid as you drill and explore

The Egyptian government wants to bring the country back on its feet and has decided to add to its priorities the payment of oil debts to foreign companies that are increasing their exploration and production in Egypt. Foreign companies are owed more than $6 billion and energy subsidies reached an estimated 120 billion Egyptian pounds […]

Business Energy Features

Algeria-Britain broaden economic partnership

Algeria has taken the opportunity to renew its desire of establishing a strong bilateral cooperation with Britain. David Cameron, Great Britain’s Prime Minster, has sent his representative for economic partnership Richard Risby to Algiers for a working visit. Economic ties exist between the two countries but Algeria wants to broaden it to cover more domains. […]

Business Features Finance

Tunisia: Central bank warns of worst economic downfall

The Tunisian central Bank has added its voice to the ongoing political crisis. It is worried that if the political parties don’t find a solution to their differences, the economy will fall into a state that it has never before experienced. The board of the central bank has urged all stakeholders to work towards maintain […]