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

Egypt’s gross domestic debt jumps 24 percent in FY 2012-13
Egypt’s gross domestic debts rose by almost 24 percent in the fiscal year (FY) 2012-13, reaching EGP 1.5 trillion ($218 billion), according to the Central Bank of Egypt’s (CBE) September bulletin. CBE added that gross domestic debts amounted to 87.5 percent of the GDP for the same fiscal year. Egypt’s external debts registered some $43.2 billion at the end of FY 2012-13, representing an approximate 25 percent rise from the previous FY 2011-12. [Ahram, SIS]

Egypt’s military contributes to high-speed rail funding: Minister
The Egyptian National Railways body (ERN) will add high-speed rails to its services at an EGP 70 billion ($10.16 billion) cost, said Minister of Transportation Ibrahim El-Demeiry in a press conference on Wednesday. The project is intended to be funded through contributions from military and government banks as well as Initial Public Offering, the minister added. Egypt’s government had received a $106 million loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) to finance a development project for the railways of Al-Qaliubiya, Al-Sharqiya, Ismailia and Port Said. [Ahram]

Morocco: 2014 finance bill allocates MAD 186.64 billion to public sector
The finance bill of 2014, introduced Wednesday in both Houses of Parliament, allocates a total MAD 186.64 billion for investments in the public sector. The investment amount includes MAD 126.69 billion directed for companies and public institutions, followed by MAD 47.95 billion for the General State Budget, special Treasury accounts, and state services managed autonomously, according to a memo attached to the Finance Bill 2014. [MAP]

Rising foreign exchange reserves in Yemen to reach $5.7 billion in August
Government data shows that foreign exchange reserves rose by $66 million in August to reach $5.694 billion. The Central Bank of Yemen said in its latest statement that foreign exchange reserves, which now cover 6.1 months of imports of goods and services, improved after several months of continuous decline. [CNBC Arabia]

Also of Interest: 
Egypt’s Ridge Capital plans Islamic fund in 2013 | Ahram
Yahoo to close down its office in Cairo | World Bulletin
IMF rings alarm bells over Tunisia | CNN, LM
Op-ed: Aleppo’s war economy | Al-Monitor