Follow the latest in economic news and developments about the Arab transition countries.
Jordan’s GDP grew by 2.8 percent in 2013, according to Department of Statistics (DoS). Last year’s growth rate was slightly higher than 2012, when the economy expanded by 2.7 percent. The Kingdom’s GDP grew by only 2.9 percent during the fourth quarter of 2013, while it was 2.2 percent in the same time span in 2012. [Jordan Times]
Egypt covers all dollar backlogs for foreign investor repatriations
Egypt’s Central Bank has covered the entire backlog of dollars owed to foreign investors seeking to repatriate funds from the country, it said in a statement on Tuesday. A return scheme opened in March last year and aimed at restoring confidence in Egypt’s economy guarantees foreign investors in Egypt’s stock and government bond markets access to dollars despite severe shortages of foreign currency. [Reuters]
Egypt’s Central Bank has covered the entire backlog of dollars owed to foreign investors seeking to repatriate funds from the country, it said in a statement on Tuesday. A return scheme opened in March last year and aimed at restoring confidence in Egypt’s economy guarantees foreign investors in Egypt’s stock and government bond markets access to dollars despite severe shortages of foreign currency. [Reuters]
King Mohammed VI on Saturday launched the construction work for the development of a new export zone. The major projects, worth MAD 1.1 billion ($135 million), are part of a comprehensive and integrated development plan for the northern region. [MAP]
The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) granted Tunisia $3.8 million to help reform the energy sector, as part of the fund’s contribution to the MENA Transition Fund. [KUNA]
Also of Interest:
Egypt investment minister to impose new real estate taxes by July | Cairo Post
Opinion: Egypt’s economy needs mutual funds– EGX chairman | DNE
Analysis: Egypt–Smartcard plan to attack Egypt’s fuel crisis | IRIN
Morocco royal holding’s profit rises 22.6 percent in 2013 | Reuters
Morocco’s Banque Populaire to open an office in Washington DC | MWN
Tunisian central bank chief sees lower inflation; FX reserves ‘more comfortable’ | Reuters
Analysis: Tunisian labor union faces internal rifts | Al-Monitor
Tunisia-GIZ: Sign 9 agreements create jobs for youth projects | Kapitalis (French)
Qatar National Bank hires McKinsey to advise on Egypt business strategy | The National
UNDP unveils youth strategy | UNDP
Middle East status as employment hub at risk, says new research | CPI Financial