Morocco’s Minister of Economy presented the broad lines of the 2015 appropriation draft bill before the two houses of parliament. For 2015, the draft bill forecasts a GDP growth rate of 4.4 percent on the basis of a 4.3 percent budget deficit of GDP and a 9 percent rise of investment expenses to reach 54 billion dirhams. [MAP]

Egyptian Exchange says to approve 10 listings by end-year
The Egyptian Exchange expects to approve the listings of 10 companies by the end of this year. This move comes as confidence in the local economy has grown and investors see stability returning after years of turmoil. The main Egyptian stock index and trading volumes have both recovered above the levels of 2010. [Ahram Online]

Terror threats hit Moroccan tourism
Moroccan tourism, regarded as one of the most important sectors of the Moroccan economy, has been hit hard by current international headlines concerning the Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The situation became even more dire after the abduction and execution of the French mountain guide Hervé Gourdel in Algeria last month, which was followed by a travel warning for the region by the French foreign ministry. Morocco responded to the news and set up a team to follow developments in the French travel market. The country was reclassified as “normal” by the French government. [allAfrica]

Also of Interest:
Egypt signs oil and gas exploration deal in Western Desert | Ahram Online
Report: 14 MENA IPOs raise $3.95bn in 2014’s first nine months | Egypt Independent
Egyptian pound broadly steady after Moody’s review | Ahram Online
Italy-Morocco: ICE signs agreement with food agency | Ansamed
Tunisia’s emerging tech sector hampered by old policies | NPR
How Goldman’s Libya case could disrupt derivatives | CNBC
Tunisia to supply UK with energy | Middle East Confidential
Jordan – ‘Family businesses struggling to find external finance’ | Jordan Times
Petro Jordan Abadi heralds new era for upgrading Jordan’s phosphate industry | Jordan Times
Boeing details funding boom for Middle East airplane deliveries | Business Intelligence – Middle East