Npw that Gulf governments have underwritten almost $7 billion in aid, the United Arab Emirates is trying to ensure that its latest tranche of $2.9 billion is judiciously deployed, advocating reforms and helping to craft measures for stimulus measures that will help put the economy on track. [FT]

 

The economy remains Jordan’s biggest concern due to its direct influence on the living conditions of Jordanians, especially the middle class, according to Senator Samir Rifai “Priority should be given in the state budget to projects that employ large numbers of Jordanians and adopt “real” partnerships with the private sector, the former prime minister noted. [Jordan Times]

 

The Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT), which met on February 26, noted a sharp decline in the momentum of economic growth in 2013 compared to 2012. According to the latest estimates from the INS, growth in 2013 registered at 2.6 percent. Furthermore, the Board noted the continued appreciation of the dinar against major currencies. [Kapitalis, French]

 

Tunisia expects a record high 7 million tourists to visit this year. “I tell Western tourists, come to Tunisia, the first democracy in the Arab world, to share this historic moment and support a democratic transition and also enjoy its sun, beaches, desert and culture,” tourism minister Amel Karboul said in an interview. [Reuters]

 

 

 

Challenges await Egypt new cabinet | AFP

Egypt to lift home ownership rates | DNE

Egyptian Pound flat in official and black market trade | DNE

Blog: To cut or not cut? Egypt faces rates dilemma | WSJ

The ABC’s of VAT (in Egypt) | Mada Masr

Morocco pleads for enhanced South-South cooperation | MedAfrica

Central Bank of Tunisia: A gap of TND 10 billion in 2014 budget | African Manager

Tunisia: France co-finances 27 projects of young illegal emigrants | African Manager

Arab world faces unemployment crisis| Al-Monitor

Food security an ‘enormous challenge’ for MENA countries: FAO | DNE