EconSource: Morocco spends $8 billion dollars to face military and terrorism threats
According to a report from the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) on the economic cost of violence to the world economy, Morocco’s violence-related costs constitute 4.6 percent of the country’s GDP, equivalent to $8.375 billion dollars. Morocco was ranked 81 out of 152 countries in terms of expenditure on violence.

[Morocco World News 11/24/2014]

Free trade area to be launched in Egypt

Africa’s largest free trade area is set to be launched next month during a heads of states summit in Cairo. The tripartite free trade area would bring together the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and aims to boost intra–regional trade, increase foreign investment and promote the development of cross-regional infrastructure. The free trade area also known as Grand Free Trade Area will have a combined population of 625 million people and gross domestic product of $1.2 trillion. [KBC, Bernama, 11/24/2014]

Libya and economy likely to top Sisi’s Europe visit

According to officials, the developments in Libya and Egyptian economic relations are likely to be at the top of the agenda of Sisi’s visit to Italy and France this week. The visit is Sisi’s first European trip and is expected to last a week. According to Egypt’s presidency fighting terrorism and finding a platform to align the efforts of the international community against it will top the agenda of the trip. [Ahram Online, 11/24/2014]

Also of Interest:
The early promise of Egypt’s economic reforms | Al Arabiya
Morocco, the emergence of an African power | Ground Report
Sisi says Egypt adopts market economy, and welcomes private investment | Allafrica
Egypt sells $1.796 billion dollar-denominated treasury bills | Ahram Online
Libya’s Nafoura field set to resume production | Libya Monitor (subscription)
High court judge orders Goldman Sachs to disclose Libya profits | The Guardian