Arabic News Weekly Edition for Economics, 12/15/2003
Weekly Edition, Economics - Week of December 15, 2003
- Sherif for enhancing Syria- Egyptian cooperation
Egypt's Information Minister, Safwat Al-Sharif, has underlined the importance of enhancing the Syrian-Egyptian coordination towards the current regional situations and the standing challenges. Egypt-Syria, Economics, 12/20/2003 - al-Riyadh: Syria sees increase in Arab tourists
Syria's Minister of Tourism, Saadallah Agha al-Qalaa has announced that the number of Arab tourists visiting Syria, has increased during the past three months by 7.5 percent, and this is a good percentage by world tourism standards. Syria-Regional, Economics, 12/20/2003 - Morocco improves planning system for efficient forecasting
Morocco is improving its forecast and strategic view of economic and social development, said Thursday, Morocco's Planning High Commissioner, Ahmed Lahlimi Alami. Morocco, Economics, 12/20/2003 - Al-Ahram: Egyptian GNP up by 3%; national economic statistics
The rate of GDP growth realized by Egyptian economy in 2003 was 3%. The total national production achieved an increase of LE 35 billion in 2003 amounting to LE 415 billion compared to LE 379.1 billion in 2002. Egypt, Economics, 12/20/2003 - Morocco eyes new fisheries strategy
Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou, announced Thursday that the maritime fisheries ministry commissions in charge of general and economic affairs and economy upgrading and the fisheries Association will meet next Monday to "ponder a new strategy" for the fisheries sector. Morocco, Economics, 12/20/2003 - Madrid to present tunnel project to EU transports commissioner
The Spanish transportation minister, announced Tuesday that he will present on Jan 14th the Gibraltar Strait tunnel project to the European Energy and transport Commissioner, Loyola de Palacio. Morocco-Spain, Economics, 12/19/2003 - U.S. calls for creation of global natural gas industry
despite higher prices gas is expected to become the fastest growing component of world energy consumption in the next two decades Regional-USA, Economics, 12/19/2003 - Morocco, UNDP sign cooperation agreement to assist micro energy enterprises
Morocco and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) signed in Marrakesh Wednesday a cooperation agreement to carry out the national program of assistance to micro energy enterprises. Morocco, Economics, 12/19/2003 - Morocco denies privatization of railway sector
The adoption, Thursday, by the Moroccan government council of a draft bill on the creation of the Moroccan Railway Company "definitely does not mean the privatization of the sector," since it will remain part of the public sector, said spokesman for the Moroccan government, Nabil Benabdellah. Morocco, Economics, 12/19/2003 - Islamic countries examine prospects of preferential trade zone Regional, Economics, 12/19/2003
- Morocco's fruits, vegetables exports score 48% rise
Morocco's exports of various fruits and vegetables reached 34,000 Tons by mid-December 2003, i.e. a 48% rise against last year, the department of agriculture and rural development said in a release Tuesday. Morocco, Economics, 12/18/2003 - Morocco produces 6% of world olive growing production
Morocco contributes with 6 percent in the world olive growing production with 560,000 tons annually, the Moroccan Agro-food Federation (FENACRI) said in a report that was published recently on the national oil growing sector. Morocco, Economics, 12/18/2003 - Morocco launches bid to import 110,000 tons of soft wheat Morocco, Economics, 12/18/2003
- Syrian oil byproducts for Iraqi oil and fuel
It was announced officially that Syria and Iraq signed yesterday an agreement to exchange Syrian oil byproducts for Iraqi crude oil and fuel. Syria-Iraq, Economics, 12/17/2003 - Opening of Syrian tourism exhibition in Greece
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad expressed in an address opening of the Syrian Tourism Exhibition in Greece Tuesday the hope that the event would help efficiently in setting a turning point on the level of developing tourism, and subsequently in all other fields, between Syria and Greece. Syria-Greece, Economics, 12/17/2003 - A tunnel to link Europe with Africa, to cost over 3 billion Euros
The construction of a tunnel linking Europe and Africa through the Gibraltar Strait will cost more than three billion EUROS, revealed on Monday, Spanish minister of development. Morocco-Spain, Economics, 12/17/2003 - No financial authorities agreement required for textile companies to grant discounts to foreign customers
Moroccan exporting textile companies are allowed from now on to grant their clients abroad discounts up to 3 percent from the exportation invoice without prior agreement of the Moroccan Exchange Office. Morocco, Economics, 12/17/2003 - Morocco's 2003 cannabis cultivation estimated at 47,000 tons
Cannabis cultivation in Morocco covers a 134,000 hectare surface, which amounts to a raw production of 47,000 tons, corresponding to a potential hashish production of 3,080 tons, according to a survey conducted in cooperation between the Moroccan Agency for Economic and Social Development of the Northern Provinces, and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Morocco, Economics, 12/17/2003 - Egypt-South Korea trade exchange hits $ 600 million
He asserted that the Korean investments in Egypt are not up to the two countries' ambitions Egypt-South Korea, Economics, 12/16/2003 - Sohar oil refinery agreements
"A financing agreement for Sohar Refinery project whose total cost is US$ 1,2 billion was signed at Al-Bustan Palace hotel today," Oman's news agency reported. Oman, Economics, 12/16/2003 - Beltagui discusses tourism upgrade with Brazilian counterpart Egypt-Brazil, Economics, 12/16/2003
- Morocco and Spain to be linked by a 38-km long undersea railway
A Spanish official source announced that Morocco and Spain will be connected through a double track-railway that would be built under the 300 m deep- Gibraltar Strait. Morocco-Spain, Economics, 12/16/2003 - Arabs invest about $ 800 million abroad and $ 10 million in Arab states
Arab capital-holders usually entrust their money to brokerage companies in London, Geneva or New York, he explained, adding that the Arab mentality is a merchant's mentality, not one of entrepreneurs. Regional, Economics, 12/15/2003 - Arab states possess 65 % of world oil reserves
The Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Nueimi in his capacity as Chairman of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) spoke about the Arab states' oil wealth and its important contribution to the global oil industry. Regional, Economics, 12/15/2003 - Telecom regulation agency moves to encourage home-internet
The price of an hour of Internet connection will decrease by 40% to stand at 12 DH per hour (US$ 1.2) Morocco, Economics, 12/15/2003 - Al Ahdath Al Maghribya: Morocco attracted $ 3 billion in foreign investments in 2003
Morocco received in 2003 US$ 3 billion-worth of foreign investments, said Hassan Bernoussi, head of investments. Morocco, Economics, 12/15/2003 - French tour operator says it will bring 150,000 tourists to Morocco in 2004
Richard Prosser, CEO of Etapes Nouvelles, France's major tour operator in Morocco, says it will bring 150,000 tourists in Morocco in 2004. Morocco-France, Business, 12/15/2003