Follow the latest in economic news and developments about the Arab transition countries 

Egypt’s unemployment rate inched up 0.1 percent in the third quarter of 2013, amounting to 13.4 percent of the country’s total labor force, according to the state-run statistics body CAPMAS. According to CAPMAS, the number of working Egyptians reached 23.6 million in the third quarter of 2013, with the total labour force registering at 27.2 million. The number of unemployed increased by 30,000 in Q3 2013, resulting in some 3.6 million jobless Egyptians. [Ahram]

Jordanians’ remittances recorded an increase by 3.2 percent at the end of October, according to the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ). A CBJ statement issued on Saturday said expatriates’ remittances totaled $3.07 billion at the end of October this year compared with around $2.68 billion at the end of the same period of 2012. In October, expatriates’ remittances rose by 4.8 percent to around $297.6 million that is an equivalent of around JD 211 million. [Jordan Times]

Moroccan commercial bakers agreed to suspend a price increase set for today, pending the outcome of talks with the government. The plan by some 15,000 bakeries to raise prices 10-30 centimes per loaf is on hold, according to the head of the Moroccan Federation of Bakers and Patissiers (FBPM). The increase was envisaged because the Benkirane government had yet to honor an agreement reached in 2011, federation chief Lahoucine Azaz said. [Magharebia]

The government’s proposed 2014 budget has sparked a wave of controversial reactions among citizens, politicians, and economic experts. This has come without the text of the budget being publically released or discussed by the National Constituent Assembly (NCA), and many details are still unknown. According to statements by officials, the 2014 Financial Draft Law calls for raising taxes and cutting subsidies on fuel, electricity, and some food items, to reduce the country’s budget deficit from 6.8 percent of GDP to 5.7 percent.  [Tunisia Live]

Egyptian Ministry of Finance: Budget deficit and domestic debt | DNE

Egypt investment minister: $25 billion FDI seen in 2014 | Zawya DJ [sub]

Egypt: $6 billion loan agreements signed since Morsi’s ouster | Amwal Al-Ghad

Egypt’s wheat supply sufficient to last until March 5- Minister | Reuters

Saudi, Egypt draw new economic map | Saudi Gazette, DNE

France to launch development projects worth €110 million in Egypt | DNE

Egypt Regulator: First microfinance law gets underway soon | Amwal Al-Ghad

UAE calls for ‘Marshall Plan’ for delivery of aid to Egypt, Syria | Al-Arabiya

IFC director for Egypt, Libya, and Yemen: IFC’s investments in Egypt reach $1 billion | DNE

Jordan trade deficit increased to JD 5.7 billion end-September | JNA

USAID launches Jordan Competitiveness Program | Jordan Times

S&P confirms sovereign rating assigned to Morocco with ‘negative outlook’ | MAP

Yemen’s parliament approved a loan agreement from AFESD | Yemen Economist