Egypt Features Headlines

Egypt the Least Gender-Friendly Country in the MENA Region

According to the “gender” survey of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the position of women has deteriorated throughout the region of North Africa and Middle East since the onset of the Arab Spring. Out of 22 survey countries, three – Egypt, Yemen and Syria – found themselves at the bottom of the ranking despite being involved […]

Business Features Finance

World Bank and North Africa: 2013 in Review

In fiscal year 2013, the World Bank (WB) has supported 16 projects worth 2.1 billion USD, out of which 1.8 billion USD came from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and 249 million USD from the International Development Agency (IDA). 56.4 million USD were committed separately for the West Bank and Gaza. On […]

Features Headlines Tunisia

Tunisia: Court cancels parliamentary election commission list

Tunisia’s administrative court has delayed once again the country’s political transition after it rejected a list of 36 candidates proposed by the parliamentary commission. The candidates were to occupy different posts in the Higher Independent Elections Commission (ISIE) which shall organize elections as part of agreements between the ruling Ennahda and the opposition parties. The […]

Business Emerging Markets Features

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 […]

Features Headlines Libya

Libya – a Tourist Hotspot in the Making?

Despite many hurdles ranging from armed militia, fragile government to terrorism, Libya’s tourist minister, Ikram Abdulsalam Imam, believes that his country has the potential to become a new North Africa tourist hotspot. Although Libya is undoubtedly rich in places worth seeking, including 1,000 beaches, ancient Roman and Greek ruins, or palm-fringed oases, the world is […]

Headlines Tunisia

Again an Impasse: Tunisian Talks ‘Suspended’ over PM Nomination

The UGTT (Union Générale Tunisienne du Travail) union federation – which represents hundreds of thousands of Tunisian workers – mediating Tunisia’s political crisis announced Tuesday that it would “suspend the national dialogue” on choosing a new prime minister after political leaders again failed to agree on a candidate. The political tensions and economic instability that […]

Features Headlines Tunisia

Tunisia: Monday deadline for a new Prime Minister

Tunisian political parties have been unable to choose a new Prime Minister during their week long negotiations. Monday has been fixed as the new deadline for them. Some members of the opposition are accusing Ennahda of delaying the process in order to stay longer in power. Several names have been considered as potential candidates in […]

Features Headlines Tunisia

Tunisia: Southerners lash tourism anger on government

Tunisia’s southerners are complaining of being neglected by the government after the Arab Spring due to the state of the once vibrant tourism sector in the region. They blamed the lack of tourists in the area on the ever frequent cancelations of international and local flights. The government is accused of only interested in marketing […]

Features Headlines Tunisia

Tunisia: Tensions boiling again

The stepping down of the Tunisian government could take longer than expected as the government and opposition parties make different statements. Prime Minister Larayedh stated that four conditions will determine the departure of the government while the opposition alliance prepares nationwide protests against the government next week. On 5th October, the two parties signed an […]

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 […]