Tunisia has secured $1.2 billion in loans from the World Bank to support its democratic transition in 2014, the global lender said on Friday. It is the biggest loan package Tunisia has received since the 2011 revolution that toppled autocratic president Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali. The IMF approved a $507 million loan tranche on January 29. [Reuters]

 

The payment of the first tranche of the budget support program for Tunisia could take place in July 2014, said Michael Kohler, Director of the European Neighborhood Policy at the European Commission (EC). The aim is to increase the allocation for budget support for Tunisia from €250 million to €300 million, if the European Parliament approves this proposal. [AM]

 

Egypt has received $10.7 billion (EGP 74.5 billlion) in aid pledged by Gulf countries during the first half of the current fiscal year, the country’s Ministry of Finance announced on Sunday. Saudi Arabia has provided $3.6 billion, UAE has sent $4.2 billion, Kuwait has submitted a $2.7 billion, and Qatar gave $200 million. [Amwal Al-Ghad]

 

Political instability in the Middle East has taken a toll on Jordan’s economy, but those on the inside maintain that the country remains politically and economically stable, and open for business. [The Banker]

 

Egypt’s trade deficit fell as imports and exports decline | Ahram

Strikes sweep Egypt as economy struggles | FT

Former US ambassador to Egypt advocates trade, investment in MENA | DNE

Egypt’s macro-economy ‘needs more than just a president’: Bank of America | DNE

2018 will be turning point in Jordan’s energy sector — minister | Jordan Times

Libya plans to open free trade zone with Egypt | Cairo Post

Buffeted by chaos, Libya faces energy, budget crunches | VOA

Morocco made important strides in economic and social development: report | MAP

EBRD continues its support for Tunisia | AM

Arab Spring countries witness slow economic growth | Al-Monitor