Arabic News Weekly Edition for Economics, 2/14/2000

Weekly Edition, Economics - Week of February 14, 2000

• Morocco reduces budget deficit to 1%
  Morocco managed to bring down its budget deficit to 1.1% of the GDP against 3.9 in 1998. Morocco, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Morocco hosts Maghreban meeting on procurements
  Morocco will host early next week a Maghreban conference on procurements in collaboration with the UNCTAD and the World Trade Organization. Maghreb, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Democracy, regional integration are requisites to integration in world economy, Youssoufi
  Moroccan Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi on Saturday stressed democracy and regional integration as requisites to integration in the world economy. Morocco-International, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Algerian - Italian business council focus on cooperation , privatization
  The executive steps for establishing an Algerian - Italian business council started to increase the volume of joint cooperation between the two countries. Algeria-Italy, Economics, 2/19/2000
• 12.5 million unemployed in the Arab states
  The Arab labor conference attended by the Arab labor ministers and heads of the labor unions as well as the Arab businessmen is discussing Arab laborers and the seriousness of unemployment in the Arab states. Regional, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Morocco, Thailand to set up cooperation commission
  Morocco and Thailand agreed to set up a joint commission to promote cooperation and spur trade exchanges. Morocco-Thailand, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Two OPEC members back production increase Regional, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Arab participation in European - Mediterranean investment conference Regional-European Union, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Moroccan economy and finance minister in London Sunday
  Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou is expected in London Sunday on a three-day visit to the United Kingdom. Morocco-UK, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Morocco, Portugal examine tourism cooperation Morocco-Portugal, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Third network for mobile phones in Egypt
  The Egyptian government agreed on giving the authorization for a third mobile phone network to the governmental Egyptian Company for Communications to start its work after two years after ending the time period granted to the two mobile companies MobiNil and Click to work individually in the mobile communications market in Egypt. Egypt, Business, 2/19/2000
• Oman signs trade agreements Oman, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Indonesian province to tap mideast
  A trade delegation from the Indonesian North Sumatra province will use the international trade expo, The Asian Tigers 2000, in Dubai, UAE next week to explore business and investment cooperations with businessmen in the Middle East Regional, Economics, 2/19/2000
• Moroccan-Senegalese bank set up
  A Moroccan-Senegalese bank "Senbank" has been set up under an accord concluded on Wednesday between the Moroccan Wafabank and the Senegalese holding "Keur Khadim," reported Moroccan weekly La Vie Economique. Morocco-Senegal, Business, 2/19/2000
• Bahrain's national bank sees 1999 profit Bahrain, Business, 2/19/2000
• EgyptAir ends service of fugitive pilot
  Official sources in the EgyptAir corporation said EgyptAir is issuing a decision to end the service of fugitive pilot Hamdi Hanafi Taha, after 16 days of absence from work since February 5. Egypt, Business, 2/19/2000
• Italian - Tunisian cooperation in the communication field Tunisia-Italy, Economics, 2/18/2000
• The Emirates Falcon purchases 24 second hand Biong airplanes United Arab Emirates, Business, 2/18/2000
• Morocco and Gulf states hold investment forum next May in Casablanca
  Several projects will be presented by Morocco during the coming forum, Oualalou said. These include nine agricultural projects worth $ 24 million, eight irrigation projects ($ 140 million), seven fisheries industry projects ($ 897 million), 12 textile and leather industry projects ($ 60 million), three garments projects ($ 10.5 million), 15 tourism projects ($ 1.8 billion) and eight drinking water projects ($ 47 million), Oualalou said. Morocco-Gulf, Economics, 2/18/2000
• 17th Khartoum International Fair opens
  The 17th International Fair of Khartoum opened Thursday, with 19 countries from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe participating. Eritrea and Chad are participating in the fair for the first time. Sudan-Regional, Business, 2/18/2000
• Cairo witnesses the first meeting of the international Interpol on product forgery
  The first periodic meeting for the international criminal police organization Interpol - artistic division, was concluded yesterday in Cairo. Regional, Economics, 2/18/2000
• The Arab bank's union convenes in Paris
  The Arab bank's union will convene the international Arab banking conference for this year in Paris during coming July under the title "Banks industry in the Arab Nation during the 21st century." Regional, Economics, 2/18/2000
• Prime minister Hoss on telecom role in Lebanon Lebanon, Economics, 2/18/2000
• Egypt hosts first regional conference for third generation of mobile phones
  The Red Sea city of Hurghada will host the first regional conference for the third generation for mobile phones I.M.T 2000 that will be organized by the Arab regional bureau (in Cairo) for the international union for communications Regional, Business, 2/18/2000
• Cooperatives seminar on inter-Arab trade ends
  A seminar on development inter-Arab trade was concluded in Kuwait Wednesday, where participants asserted the importance of cooperative movement in promoting economic and social conditions in the Arab states. Regional, Economics, 2/17/2000
• Diplomatic efforts to remove land mines from western desert Egypt, Economics, 2/17/2000
• COMESA 2000, good initiative for economic cooperation
  Moussa said that the COMESA grouping represent 21 states, in which 500 million people live in Africa and is considered as one of the most important gatherings in the black continent. Regional-Egypt, Economics, 2/17/2000
• France still Morocco's top commercial partner, diplomat
  Trade exchanges between Morocco and France totalled 16 billion French Francs in 1999, maintaining France as Morocco's top commercial partner, French ambassador to Morocco, Michel de Bonnecorse, said. Morocco-France, Economics, 2/17/2000
• Egypt calls upon advanced countries to honour pledges
  Egypt anew called upon advanced countries to deliver on their pledges towards the developing countries as cited in the agreements reached during Uruguay round of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Egypt-Regional, Economics, 2/17/2000
• World Bank chief calls for equal partnership in new world system
  The president of the World Bank, James D. Wolfensohn, pleaded Wednesday for equal partnership in the new world system. Regional-International, Economics, 2/17/2000
• Telephone expansion under way in Sudan
  The Sudanese telecommunications company, Sudatel, has launched a short-term program to broaden its customer base, the pan-African news agency PANA reported. Sudan, Business, 2/17/2000
• Sudan's cereal prices show dramatic hike
  Sudan's cereal market has shown a dramatic price hike in the last three weeks. Sudan, Economics, 2/17/2000
• The Group of 77 plus China assess UNCTAD X
  The chairmen and regional coordinators of the Group of 77 (G-77) plus China held a meeting here on Tuesday to assess the progress of works of the 10th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD X) currently underway in the Thai capital. Regional-International, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Report: Jordan refuses electricity links with Israel Jordan-Israel, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Iraqi commodities market opens in Damascus
  Under the patronage of the Syrian Minister of Economy. Muhammad al-Imadi, a marketing exposition for Iraqi commodities was opened at the Damascus International Fair city. It will continue until February 20. Syria-Iraq, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Morocco, Singapore explore joint projects in tourism
  Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Benaissa explored in Bangkok Tuesday with his Singaporean peer, Ow Chin Och, prospects of setting up joint ventures in tourism. Morocco-Singapore, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Pakistan, Iraq agree to promote cultural, trade ties
  Pakistan and Iraq agreed to further promote their cooperation in cultural and commercial realms. Iraq-Pakistan, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Reviving nuclear cooperation between Moscow and Tripoli Libya-Russia, Economics, 2/16/2000
• King Mohammed receives Boeing senior executive
  King Mohammed VI on Tuesday received Seddik Belyamani, sales and marketing director at Boeing. Morocco-USA, Business, 2/16/2000
• Moroccan premier to visit India in quest for stronger cooperation
  Moroccan Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi, will start on February 21 a four-day official visit to India to consolidate cooperation ties with the subcontinent. Morocco-India, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Belgian business delegation in Morocco Sunday
  A Belgian business delegation, led by minister of foreign trade and environment of the Brussels region, Didier Cosuin, is expected in Morocco next Sunday on a five-day visit. Morocco-Belgium, Business, 2/16/2000
• Cellular phone service in Damascus and Aleppo
  The Syrian telecommunications establishment on Monday started the operation of the first cellular network in Damascus and Aleppo for an experimental period of one year. Syria, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Saudi company holds tourism projects in Syria
  The Saudi company for industry, agriculture and tourism investments presented a set of tourism projects to implement in different areas of Syria. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Business, 2/16/2000
• Arab steps to establish Arab company for communications Egypt-International, Business, 2/16/2000
• Conference for liberating the Arab communications industry in Beirut
  The Arab international conference for communications will be opened tomorrow for two days in Beirut, Lebanon. Regional, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Agency of northern regions development draws balance sheet of its action
  The Moroccan agency for the development of northern regions (APDN) held on Tuesday in the northern city of Tetuan, the fifth session of its governing board under the chairmanship of Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi. Morocco, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Cairo international conference for the Internet in March
  Cairo will host on March 7 - 10 the fifth Cairo international conference for the Internet, which will tackle many areas covering Internet technology, electronic trade, remote education, developing networks and organized as well running the Internet, which is a new area. Egypt, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Third world calls for IMF substitute
  Economists and academics representing the third world have called for more flexible guideline policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the establishment of a new international bank that can substitute or supplement the U.S.-based institute in supporting development schemes of small countries, Thai news agency TNA reported. Regional-International, Economics, 2/16/2000
• Canceling customs and sales tax on computer software
  Egyptian Minister of Communication and Technology Ahmed Nazeef said that there is a plan to cancel the customs fees and sales tax on computer programs in the Egyptian market. Egypt, Business, 2/15/2000
• Egypt donates $1 million to Jerusalem Fund Egypt, Economics, 2/15/2000
• Middle East businessmen's councils start work in Cairo
  Meetings of the businessmen's councils in the Middle East started yesterday in Cairo with the participation of nearly 200 international economic personalities from representatives of the international corporations as well as the businessmen in the area. Regional, Business, 2/15/2000
• Morocco, Sweden sign agriculture cooperation accord
  Morocco and Sweden signed Monday a cooperation accord to promote cooperation and exchanges between the two countries in the field of agriculture. Morocco-Sweden, Economics, 2/15/2000
• US calls OPEC to up production Regional-USA, Economics, 2/15/2000
• World Bank delegation to visit Algeria tomorrow
  A delegation from the World Bank is to visit Algeria tomorrow to hold communications with the new Algerian government to establish the final framework for the cooperation program between the two sides. Algeria, Economics, 2/15/2000
• Morocco, India to set up joint economic business council
  The Moroccan enterprises association (Confederation Generale Des Entreprises du Maroc "CGEM") and the Indian Industries Confederation are to set up a joint economic business council. Morocco-India, Economics, 2/15/2000
• Jerusalem fund decides to finance projects in holy city
  The governing board of Bayt Mal Al-Quds (Jerusalem Fund) decided to finance all projects submitted to it during its first meeting, held in Marrakesh on Monday under the chairmanship of King Mohammed VI. Regional-Palestine, Economics, 2/15/2000
• 60 Egyptian companies in Khartoum International Fair
  60 Egyptian companies are to participate in the 17th session of the Khartoum international fair, which is to start on Thursday and continue until February 28. Egypt-Sudan, Economics, 2/15/2000
• Morocco and Gulf states hold investment forum next May in Casablanca
  Morocco will hold next May in Casablanca the first investment and partnership forum between Morocco and the Gulf countries. Morocco-Gulf, Economics, 2/15/2000
• $7.1 million from European Union to Mauritania
  The European Union gave Mauritania a donation of $7.1 million to purchase a maritime ship to monitor the pollution on Mauritania's shores and to help guide fisherman to fishing areas with its modern maritime equipment . Mauritania-European Union, Economics, 2/15/2000
• Arab fund to hold meeting in Fez in April
  The Arab Investments Guarantee Fund will hold the 27th session of its administrative board in Fez by the end of next April, reported Saudi daily Acharq Al-Awsat. Regional, Economics, 2/15/2000
• Syrian-Saudi joint committee meets on Tuesday
  The Saudi-Syrian joint committee on bilateral cooperation is to hold its 8th session in Riyadh on February 15 and 16, under the chairmanship of Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and his Saudi counterpart. Prince Saud al-Faisal. Syria-Saudi Arabia, Economics, 2/14/2000
• Egypt exports gas to Africa
  Egyptian Petroleum Minister Amin Sameh Fahmy will discuss marketing Egyptian natural gas to Africa, especially after starting the executive steps for exporting the Egyptian gas to Turkey, during a meeting of the association of petroleum-producing African countries, APA, that will be held in Cairo at the end of the current month. Egypt-Africa, Economics, 2/14/2000
• Egypt carries out national programme for technological development
  Prime Minister Dr. Atef Ebeid said that Egypt, under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak, plans and carries out, with sincere determination, a national programme for technological development and the use of science to develop the sector of production and services. Egypt, Economics, 2/14/2000
• Morocco calls for creation of independent body on African debt
  Morocco on Sunday called for the setting up of an independent body to study the viability of debt owed by African nations. Regional, Economics, 2/14/2000
• Media Production City, wide inspection tour
  Minister of Information Safwat Al Sherif made a wide inspection tour at the Media Production City at October 6 City to follow up works in progress and those already in place to serve the free Media Zone which the Cabinet approved after referring the matter to President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt, Economics, 2/14/2000
• Committee: Petroleum industries to become more important to Bahrain's economy Bahrain, Economics, 2/14/2000
• CORRECTION: Maroc-telecom will be privatized in 2000 and telecom sector will be liberalized in 2002
  CORRECTION: Maroc-Telecom will be sold to the private sector in 2000, and the telecom sector will be fully liberalized in the course of year 2002, announced minister of the public sector and privatization, Rachid filali on Friday. (our story two days ago said Maroc-Telecom will be sold to the private sector in 2002.) Morocco, Economics, 2/14/2000

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