Follow the latest in economic news and developments about the Arab transition countries.
The annual report produced by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Country Regional Department North Africa (ORNA) has just been published a report Looking for Inclusion, providing a snapshot of the economies in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. [CPI]
Yemen will partially restore a fuel subsidy today in an attempt to calm anti-government protests in the capital that have threatened to destabilize the impoverished Arab state, according to the cabinet. The plan to ease petrol prices by about 30 percent has however failed to mollify the Shi’ite Houthi rebel group, which also rejected a proposal – still on the table – by president Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi on Wednesday to form a unity government. [Reuters, Al-Jazeera]
Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) Chedly Ayari said the “government does not plan to fully remove subsidy on basic consumer products, thought it has made some adjustments in some products such as prices of energy for companies.” [TAP]
Israel is to supply up to $15 billion of natural gas from its Leviathan field over 15 years to Jordan, easing an energy crunch in the kingdom and marking the biggest such bilateral deal its nascent offshore industry has yet seen. The deal announced on Wednesday is a non-binding letter of intent. [FT]
Also of Interest:
Despite slow growth, Egypt Finance Ministry sounds optimistic note | Mada Masr
Egypt ranks 119th in WEF Global Competitive Index | Ahram
Jordan banks seen weathering regional turmoil | Zawya DJ (sub.-based)
Labor raids reduce remittances to Yemen | Arab News
Algeria, Tunisia boost energy ties | Magharebia
Gov’t corruption source of Yemen’s problems: Analyst | Press TV
US provides $40 million to fight hunger in Yemen | Yemen Times