During a meeting with Tunisia’s interim Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa on Monday, Prince Saoud Al-Faycal voiced Saudi Arabia’s readiness to support Tunisia at the political and economic levels. He also expressed hope that agreements expected to be signed with Saudi Arabia, notably in matters of investment, would be implemented. [TAP]

 

Egypt’s economy grew 1.2 percent in the first half of fiscal year 2013-14, according to the Ashraf al-Arabi, minister of planning. Egypt had spent EGP 25 billion ($3.59 billion) of EGP 64 billion pledged in stimulus packages, with much of that money coming in aid from the United Arab Emirates. [Reuters]

 

EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn signed, on behalf of the European Union, in Brussels today signed a €180 million Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) package for Jordan, together with a Memorandum of Understanding and Loan Facility Agreement. [Jordan Times, KUNA]

 

Libya’s economy is being held back by a lack of funds for SMEs according to a study carried out by the UK’s Nottingham Trent University. The study, led by Emhamad Elmansori shows that nearly three-quarters of Libyan SMEs report a shortage of financial resources is a major barrier to innovation. Other major barriers include a lack of an innovation culture in Libyan schools, colleges and universities, and a shortage of skills in innovation management. [Libya Herald] 

 

 

 

 

Qatari bank gorges on Egypt debt as relations sour | Bloomberg

Egypt in search of an energy vision | Mada Masr

EU and EBRD advisory support launched in Alexandria for SMEs | DNE

Recouped Libyan funds help put American construction firm back in profit | Libya Herald

Casablanca among world’s top financial centers | MWN

Tunisia: Public transportation increases due in September | LM (French)

Op-ed: Private sector issues across the Arab world | ODO

Press Release: From war-torn to oil-rich-MENA is a region of logistics contradictions | Zawya DJ