| LEADING NEWS |
The European Commissions chooses the consortium led by ANIMA for its Invest in Med project
The consortium launched “Invest in Med” last 18th April. It is a €12 million project, co-financed by the European Commission, and aiming at encouraging European investments in the Mediterranean region, as well as developing solid links between Med companies and their European counterparts. The project – which will run for 36 months involving the 27 EU Member States and the 9 Southern ENPI partner countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria and Tunisia) – has the ambition to foster the volume and quality of Euro-Mediterranean trade and foreign direct investment, as well as to contribute to a sustainable economic development of the area.
[Download the press release]
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Members of ANIMA board support Dr Ziad Bahaa Eldin candidacy for WAIPA presidency
Ex-chairman, and currently chairman of the Boards of Trustees at GAFI (General Authority for Investment and Free Zones), Dr. Ziad Bahaa Eldin has contributed along with his minister Mr Mohieldin to put Egypt in the spotlights concerning foreign investment attraction - FDI in Egypt grew from 510 million euros in 2001 to 10 billion in 2006 (Unctad)! Today he is candidate to become the new president of the world association of investment promotion agencies (WAIPA), a two-years mandate .
[Download his declaration of intention+]
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Medibtikar seminar on the financing of innovation: call for participation
About 60 Professionals of the private equity, incubators and enterprises managers will be joining this seminar called “Towards a trans-national approach to finance start-ups and innovation in the Mediterranean”. Organised as part of the Medibitikar programme (EC programme on innovation led by Intrasoft International) in which ANIMA coordinates the “Finance” activities, the seminar will be held in Casablanca, Morocco, from 26th to 28th May 2008, just before the exhibition Innova Maroc 2008. The seminar's objectives are a) Present the stakes of investing in innovation (process, success keys, return); b) Promote entrepreneurs projects; c) Support investors in ensuring a smooth deal flow and exit by identifying the relevant partners to link with at Euro-Mediterranean level. If you think your participation is relevant please contact us to propose your candidacy.
[Read+]
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| BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES |
Algeria – Port - Call of expression of interests for Ghazaouet logistic platform administration
The selected partner will form a joint stock company with the port company of Ghazaouet for the exploitation, the management and the sales promotion of the platform.
[Lire +]
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Egypt – Real estate - Egypt's Alkan to yield 25% of Cairo Financial Center
Cairo Financial Center is an integrated business and commercial complex accommodating financial, commercial and professional service activities.
[Read +]
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Egypt – Energy - Egypt to offer 12 oil and gas exploration contracts
The contracts will cover blocks in the red Sea, Gulf of Suez and the North African nation's eastern and western deserts.
[Read +]
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Israel – Bank - The Israelian Finance Minister announced the privatisation of the Industrial Development Bank
The government plans to sell its credit portfolio to domestic or foreign investors. Twelve potential buyers expressed initial interest in the bank. The approval of a cabinet subcommittee is now awaited.
[Read +]
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Morocco and Tunisia – Mechanics and machinery - ETNA Private Lifts is looking for distributors
Etna Corp. is a Group specialized in solutions of vertical mobility for private individuals as well as private or public companies.
[Lire +]
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Turkey – Bank - Tekstilbank for sale
Turkey's GSD Holding is selling its 75.5% stake in Tekstilbank, which has a market value of EUR 310 millions and relies on a 60-branches network throughout the country. It made a EUR 20 millions profit in 2006.
[Read +]
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Turkey– Port – Tender announcement: privatization of the Ports of Bandirma and Samsun
he Ports of Bandirma and Samsun, belonging to the Turkish State Railroad Administration, will be partially privatised throught granting an operation right for a 36 years-period.
[Read +]
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RECENTS INVESTEMENTS IN MEDA
All foreign investments in MEDA available in the MIPO observatory |
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Algeria - Construction
Abengoa's Befesa Agua to build Tenes desalination plant under a BOT contract, through a 51-49 JV with Algerian Energy Company.
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Algeria - Construction
A consortium led by the British specialist in water treatment Biwater to get a 51% stake in the JV formed to build and operate Oued Sep desalination plant.
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Egypt - Car manufacturers or suppliers
Turkish trucks manufacturer Tesma to invest EGP 150 million in a new tourism buses factory in 10th of Ramadan city, providing 750 job opportunities.
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Israel - Data processing & software
Indian information technology firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to hire 500 local developers for a new software center.
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Jordan - Construction
The consortium Al Maabar to relocate Aqaba's port facilities to the southern part of the city and develop a tourism megaproject for USD 5 billion over 7 years.
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Malta - Maritime services
The Italian group Rimorchiatori Riuniti Group to invest heavily in the recently acquired Tug Malta, a provider of shipping-related services.
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Morocco - Energy
The British oil company Island Oil & Gas to get an 8-years exploration permit in the 'Tarfaya Onshore’ area.
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Syria - Energy
The Canadian operator Petro-Canada from the Ebla field invests USD 477 million to have Petrofac build a gas treatment plant.
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Tunisia - Electronic ware
Toulouse-based manufacturer of electronic equipments Actielec Technologies to set up a second production plant in Tunisia for EUR 5 million.
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Turkey - Bank
Bank Hapoalim, Israel's largest bank, to inject another USD 65 million into BankPozitif, increasing its stake in the Turkish bank from 57.55% up to 65%.
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| > All foreign investments in MEDA available in the MIPO observatory |
| BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT |
Euromed – Funds - Capital Trust to launch EuroMena II, a 200-250 million dollar fund
EuroMena II will continue EuroMena I's investment strategy in the MENA region.
[Lire +]
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Algria – Real estate - The government authorised to concede land to investors for 99 years
The grant of these concessions opened to national and foreign investors will be done through bilateral negotiations or through bids.
[Lire +]
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Egypt – Renewable energy in the land of hydrocarbons
Five international companies launched bids to establish wind-operated power plants in Egypt. These projects are part of its strategy to produce 20% of its electricity from wind by 2020.
[Read +]
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Israel – Israel joins the OECD Development Centre
The purpose of the Development Centre is to develop economic and social ties between the OECD and developing countries. One of its goals is to create a network of working ties between research institutes and universities in member states.
[Read +]
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Jordan – Jordan to introduce new legislation to boost investment in less developped areas
The new Development Areas Law of 2008 (DAL) allows the creation of development areas benefiting from a set of tax and custom incentives.
[Read +]
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Lebanon – Towards reinforced co-operation between the Chamber of Commerce of Paris and the Chamber of Beirut and Mount-Lebanon
After its visit to Paris, the Lebanese delegation intends to set up new services: a mediation center, an electronic platform and a one-stop shop for business formalities.
[Read +]
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Morocco – AT&T creates a subsidiary in Casablanca
The global group AT&T is known as the first provider of IP services for enterprises and first wireless and broadband operator in the USA. The company will be located in the Twin Center of Casablanca.
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Syria– Partial liberalisation of the Syrian foreign trade
The Syrian government has published a list of 220 new products opened to imports. Among these products, whose importation will be liberalized gradually, features the beer.
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Tunisia– Industrial projects flourish in Bizerte
Located near the capital and with competitive harbour infrastructures, the region attracts many local and foreign investors in the industrial sector and textile.
[Lire +]
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Turkey – Turkey joins the African Development bank
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (ADB) Group announced it has approved the Turkey's application to join the Bank Group.
[Lire +]
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| AGENDA |
From 24 to 25 April 2008 - 2nd Euromed Capital Forum, Tunis, Tunisia
Organized by Spirarex, in association with ANIMA, this event will gather 500 Capital investment professionals and partners from the mediterranean side countries.
[Read +]
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5 May 2008 - The Fourth Conference FEMIP - Tunis - Tunisia
The 4th FEMIP Conference organised by the European Investment Bank and Sanabel on : "Microfinance in the Mediterranean: what impact?".
[Read +]
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From 12 to 14 May 2008 - 2nd International convention for a territorial approach to development, Tangiers, Morocco
Considerations on a territorial approach to development and the place of the regions in a world governance system that needs to be built up.
[Read +]
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From 26 to 28 May 2008 - Innovation financing - Towards the creation of regional tools, Casablanca, Maroc
ANIMA participates and coordinates the organisation of this seminar dedicated to innovation financing, in the framework of the Medibtikar programme - Euromed Innovation & Technology Programme.
[Lire+]
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