Minister of Planning Ashraf El-Araby announced that the interim government is aiming to grow GDP by 3-3.4 percent during the next fiscal year. Previously, Finance Minister Hany Kadry Dimian stated that he expected growth during the current fiscal year (FY 2013-14) to range between 2-2.5 percent. During the first quarter of FY 2013-14, GDP grew by just 1 percent. [DNE]

 

Cooperation ties between the UAE and Egypt were deep-rooted and remain strong since the relationship was established, according to the Minister of State, Dr, Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber. He added that the UAE is ready to give its full cooperation to push forward the economic growth in Egypt, noting there were trends to attract more investments in Egypt. [WAM]

 

Tunisia’s government has cut its economic growth forecast to 2.8 percent for this year, which is in line with the IMF’s forecast, Finance Minister Hakim Ben Hamouda said today after meeting with a delegation from the IMF. The government had previously forecast 4 percent growth. [Reuters]

 

Tunisia is working against the clock to salvage its 2014 tourist season after three turbulent years, by revamping the country’s image — with the help of online media and a few Star Wars characters. The North African country hopes to welcome seven million tourists this year, a slight increase on the 6.9 million who visited in 2010 before the uprising. [AFP]

 

 

 

 

Egypt’s trade deficit drops 21.4 percent in December: CAMPAS | Cairo Post

IGA: EU extends freeze on Mubarak’s assets | Cairo Post

Egypt: 25,000 low-income housing units to hit the market in June | DNE

Egyptian cabinet expands access to mortgage assistance | DNE

Egypt tourism totally collapsed, changes needed: Tourism Minister | Aswat Masriya

Egypt turns to Israel to address shortage of natural gas | Al-Monitor

Jordan: Experts to draft ‘modern’ investment law | Jordan Times

Jordan: 46.6 percent increase in imports of fuel derivatives, electricity | Jordan Times  

GNC: Budget to be approved “within two weeks” | Libya Monitor [sub.-based]

Morocco: MAD23 billion invested in 2013 | MWN

Tunisia-Gulf countries: three axes of cooperation to be developed (UTICA)| TAP

Tunis Stock Exchange plans a new trading platform for early 2016 | TAP