| LEADING NEWS |
Invest in Med has selected 18 new initiatives contributing to the economic development of the Mediterranean, presented publicly on the 23th April 2009 in Barcelona
Often showing creativity, the 18 new initiatives seek to generate Euro-Mediterranean economic partnerships by developing SMEs, to set up new Euro-Mediterranean innovative services and to attract foreign investment. They concentrate on promising sectors for the future of the Mediterranean (environment, agricultural processing industry, sustainable tourism…) but also on cross-sector strategic issues (entrepreneurship, innovation, etc.).
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An Egyptian chair for ANIMA from January 2010
On the 23th April 2009, in Barcelona, ANIMA Investment Network elected its new board for 3 years. The vice-president of GAFI (Egypt), Mrs. Wafaa Sobhy, who has taken part in the ANIMA project since its beginning, was chosen as chairwoman. Mrs. Laïla Sbiti, who remains vice-president of the new board, committed herself to ensure an harmonious transition with the new chairwoman.
Three other vice-presidents were elected (for the Southern rim, ANDI – Algeria; for the Northern rim, the City of Marseille and Invest in Greece). The Euro-Mediterranean network of management schools (REEM), represented by Euromed Marseille, was chosen as treasurer. The new board of directors of ANIMA comprises, in addition to these institutions: FIPA (Tunisia), Invest in Israel, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Provence Promotion and Euroméditerranée (France), AMEC and ACCIO/COPCA (Spain), AFAEMME (Euromed network of women entrepreneurs) and ADECI (network for industrial companionship). Mr. Bénédict de Saint-Laurent was confirmed as General Delegate of the Association.
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Dealing with the crisis: the MedAlliance Board proposals
On 24th April 2009, in Barcelona the MedAlliance Board, which gathers 24 members of ANIMA Investment Network, BUSINESSMED, EUROCHAMBRES and ASCAME together with their special partners UNIDO, GTZ and Euroméditerranée, examined and adopted a series of proposals to boost the Mediterranean economy while addressing the current crisis.
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| BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES |
Algeria – ICT: new niches in Algeria opened by the WiMax technology
In its latest report on Internet services in Algeria, London Oxford Business Group (OBG), a leading publisher of economic intelligence, recommends the WiMax technology generalization in the country.
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Egypt – The Egyptian government encourages investment in renewable energy
The country, whose climate is suitable to renewable energy production, is attracting more and more investment in this sector.
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Israel – Dream destination for investment in real estate
According to Brian Buffini, American real estate expert, "Israel turns out to be an excellent destination for investment in real estate".
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Jordan – Jordan to build its first solar power plant with support of the European Commission
According to the head of the EC delegation to Jordan, Mr. Patrick Renauld, the European Union should extend a EUR 10 million grant in a cooperation scheme with the National Energy Research Centre aimed at building Jordan's first small-scale solar power plant..
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Libya – The government wants to encourage Italian investment in the country
Within the framework of the cooperation agreement signed at the beginning of April with Italy, the government committed itself to taking measures favourable to Italian investors.
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Morocco – The franchise sector continues to flourish in Morocco
With 370 brands and 2.560 points of sales, local and foreign franchise multiply in the Kingdom. A booming industry which has grown by 8,2% in 2008.
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Syria – Italy's Cofindustria eyes the country as a new business frontier
To modernise its economy, Syria will have to invest at least USD 45 billion in its long-neglected and ageing infrastructure. A massive opportunity for Italian companies which already furnishes 70% of Syria's industrial machinery.
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Tunisia – Enfidha deep water port: call for tender to be issued at the end of April
Mr. Ben Salah, head of the engineering office in charge of realising the project, released this information a few weeks ago.
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Turkey– More investment needed in the renewable energy sector
Turkey’s Energy Minister Hilmi Güler recently stressed the importance of using cleaner energy sources, adding that Turkey's electricity investment needs will increase sharply in the coming decades.
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RECENTS INVESTEMENTS IN MEDA
All foreign investments in MEDA available in the MIPO observatory |
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Algeria - Metallurgy
Tunisian Loukil to acquire a brownfield site in Annaba, to manufacture metallic carpentry.
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Cyprus - Banking
The Fry Group, the provider of tax and financial advice to British expatriates to open an office in Limassol.
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Egypt - Transport
The group Teda won the bid to develop, under concession, scheme 6 km2 of the ‘Northwest Gulf of Suez’ special economic zone near the Sokhna port
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Israel - Biotechnology
Champions Biotechnology, an Arizona-based provider of personalised oncology services, to establish a local branch through its British subsidiary.
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Jordan - Clothing
Gap has signed a franchising agreement to open Gap and Banana Republic stores in the country.
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Lebanon - Consulting and services to companies
Teleperformance, a French provider of outsourced customer relationship management services to open a call centre in the country.
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Lybia - Metallurgy
TPR, a manufacturer of aluminium joinery and carpentry, to take part in Aluminium Libyan Co, JV formed to manage a new plant in Ettajoura, near Tripoli.
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Morocco - Aeronautics
The aeronautical supplier Safran / Aircelle to launch the 3rd phase of the relocation in Nouaceur, during summer 2009, of part of its French gondola production.
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Tunisia - Electronic components
The California-based telecom equipment firm Cisco to open a regional commercial unit in Tunis.
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Turkey - Distribution
The luxury, fashion, and lifestyle products distributor Aronsson Group to form, with local retail consultancy AKS, a JV called A&A Group, to develop local projects.
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| > All foreign investments in MEDA available in the MIPO observatory |
| BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT |
Algeria – Foreign companies continue to invest in Algeria
In spite of the economic crisis, the Algerian market continue to attract international investors in other sectors than hydrocarbons
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Palestinian Authority – Bayti Real Estate Investment Company to build a new town in the West Bank
A development of Bayti Real Estate Investment Company, Rawabi, will provide Palestinians with opportunities for affordable home ownership, employment, education and leisure in which to live, work and visit.
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Egypt – France Telecom to gain full control of Egypt's Mobini
French giant public company has been given the green light by an international court to fully acquire Orascom Telecom's remaining shares (28.75%) in Mobinil, an Egypt-based mobile-phone company.
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Israel – High tech: Israel remains among 25 most competitive nations worldwide
'Israel’s recent development history is an inspiring example of a small, resource-poor country turned into a global high-tech powerhouse in less than 30 years, thanks to the government’s coherent vision and strategy', World Economic Forum's experts say.
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Lebanon– Increase in maritime freight
Container traffic in the port of Algiers and Beirut increased during the first quarter 2009, in spite of the fear of a slowdown in maritime transport due to the world economic crisis.
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Libya – Free trade agreement to be signed with Turkey
In the light of the global economic downturn, which starts affecting Mediterranean economies, Libya and Turkey are willing to develop economic cooperation through the adoption of a free trade agreement.
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Morocco – Casablanca Stock Exchange seems shielded from financial crisis
Foreign investment in companies listed at the Casablanca Stock Exchange reached MAD 146.6 billion in 2008, showing a slight decline compared to 2008 (1.6%).
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Syria – Launch of a new website to promote investment
The Syrian Investment Agency presents the Investment Map, a new tool to promote business in Syria, dedicated to national and international investors.
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Tunisia – The country remains one of the leading countries for ICT and logistics
In a recent study, the World Bank has praised Tunisia for its logistics capacities. Its performance in the ICT sector have been highlighted by another report released by the Davos World Economic Forum.
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Turkey – Government to lift restrictions on foreign property ownership
Foreign demand for real state has tumbled since the global economy began to slow, pushing the AKP government to take immediate measures to curb investors' disaffection..
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| AGENDA |
From 11 to 12 May 2009 - Developing Economic Intelligence for FDI attraction, Greece, Athens
This Training is aimed at building the capacity of Euro-Med business supporting organisations to attract FDI by fostering their knowledge of the advantages and possibilities that the economic intelligence offers.
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From 13 to 14 May 2009 – Med Franchise - EGYPT Franchise Thematic 2 days FDI workshop, Cairo, Egypt
The workshop will take place during the Cairo Franchise Expo Fair. The workshop will focus on best practices in the field of investment promotion and lobbying for the franchise sector.
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From 24 to 25 May 2009 – Novel Euromed Postal, Alexandria, Egypt
Presentation of the findings & recommendations from the opportunity studies conducted for the Euromed posts..
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From 25 to 26 May 2009 - Med-Tracking - Workshop for end-users: what are the needs and expectations of the freight transport actors regarding the Med-Tracking system? Marrakech, Marocco
This workshop raises essential questions for the success of the Med-Tracking initiative: what are the specific and exhaustive needs of the end-users? what is the state of the art and what solutions would be necessary for a safer freight transport in the Mediterranean by 2010-2013?
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