Invest in Med is about to launch about 20 initiatives in October 2008
The Invest in Med team received over 30 propositions of initiatives from the Invest in Med community (the networks representing over 1 000 CCI, economic development agencies, enterprises confererations and international organisations - plus other partners that could offer a useful contribution), among which at least 25 concerning multilateral co-operations between countries from the two Mediterranean rims. The executive committee will select a maximum of 20 initiatives to be launched immediately during the month of October 2008. The main selection criteria will be 1. The presence of an ambitious objective (for example, make the Mediterranean a leading platform for freeware, or organic agriculture, or generic medicine…); 2. The nature of the partnership between the organisations co-coordinating the initiative (develop concerted strategies between different types of actors of the economic development, build collaborations between actors of the two rims) ; and 3. The relevance of the means (studies, staff exchanges, trainings, B2B meetings, conferences, promotional campaigns, etc.).
The aim of the programme is to ‘catalyse’ co-development niches, gathering industrialists, intermediary organisations, public bodies, etc. – but of course not to fund the industrial project that could emerge from the initiative. Some niches will be sectoral (renewable energies, specialised tourism, logistics, etc.) whereas other will be transversal (financing, young entrepreneurs, vocational education and training, franchise, etc.).

Invest in Med participates in the Young Mediterranean Leaders Forum in Tunis, 18 October 2008
Invest in Med will organise a workshop on Saturday 18 October 2008 at 9.00 AM, during the Young Mediterranean Leaders Forum, on "The involvement of diasporas and expatriates in the economic development of Med countries". The workshop will present a number of profiles of young economic actors based in Med countries and abroad, and will look for structuring initiatives to involve expatriated diasporas in the Med economic development. In the afternoon, a work group will gather European and Mediterranean organisations to elaborate an action plan on this topic. Economic development agencies and bilateral chambers of commerce are invited, among others, to ask for more information from Samir Abdelkrim (ANIMA) who co-ordinates this event.
Organised by the "Club du XXIème siècle" on 16-18 October 2008, the YML Forum intends to gather around 200 "young leaders" - aged 35 to 45 – of the economic, political, scientific, artistic and cultural spheres from south European and Maghreb countries, to discuss and propose concrete projects to bridge the two Mediterranean rims. More information on: www.yml-forum.org

Algeria – Minerals - 26 mining sites put on sale by the national agency
The national Agency of the mining patrimony (ANPM) launched a national and international call for tender for the adjudication of 26 mining sites of metal substances from 14 Algerian wilayas (departments). This call concerns 9 sites for prospecting and 17 others for the exploration of metal substances.
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Egypt, Lebanon, Libya – Energy - The extension of the Arab Gas Pipeline to Europe has been voted
Ericsson and 2 Gulf Arab telecom firms bought the conditions booklet, while France Telecom, Orascom Telecom , Etisalat , Atheeb group, Alcatel-Lucent and Kuwait's Noor are interested.
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Israel – Energy - State incentives for solar power generation are available since July 1st, 2008
Individuals and companies are allowed to install photovoltaic panels and sell any extra electricity produced to the Israel Electric Corporation at a guaranteed price of NIS 2.01 per KWH.
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Jordan – Energy - Foreign know-how required to launch wind projects
Bids for the first wind plant in Kamsheh near Jerash, were expected by the end of August. Two more wind farms are planned, in Al Harir, near Tafileh and at Al Hussein University in Maanthe.
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Lebanon – Bank - The bank sector is expanding
The 11 larger Lebanese banks, known as ' Alpha ', recorded a substantial rise of their profits in the first half of 2008.
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Libya– Privatisation - Many industrial companies to be sold
Among the companies to be sold: Zanzur gas production company, Nasseria paper mill, the General Co. for Plastic and Foam Industries of Baida (Benghazi), the Fruit Canning Industry in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, etc.
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Morocco – Chemistry - Significant investments foreseen in the phosphate production
In order to improve the infrastructures of production and transport, the Cherifian Office of Phosphates plans to invest EUR 1,7 billion over 7 years, in partnership with foreigners.
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Sirya – Tourism - Gulf real estate developers bidding for Syrian tourism megaprojects
The government issued a tender for the three main projects for tourism complexes, to be developed in Lattakia, Palmyra and along the lake of al-Assad.
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Turkey – Energy - Turkey's electricity corporation to re-issue tenders for construction and operation of power plants
The tenders are for the Afsin Elbistan power plant C and D units, each of which will have capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW). Total investment for the 2 units is estimated at nearly USD 5 billion.
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Algeria - Metallurgy
CPC to set up with Dubai-based Alumco a 50/50 JV aluminium plant whose production will go to local and African markets.

Cyprus - Consulting & services to companies
The Dublin-based company IFG to acquire Excel-Serve Management for a sum of EUR 25 million.

Egypt - Agro-food
Saudi agro food group Al Marai to take a majority share in milk product manufacturer Beyti for EGP 600 millions.

Israel - Biotechnologies
American seed producer Monsanto to invest USD18 million in Israeli biotech company Evogene.

Lebanon - Distribution
Kuwaiti retail group The Sultan Center (TSC) to acquire from Admic, the Lebanese Monoprix and Geant franchisee, 69 supermarkets re-branded as The Sultan Center (TSC). The regional HQ for retail activities might be transferred from Kuwait to Beirut while 15 new supermarkets would be created in Lebanon’s main cities.

Lybia - Cement
Italian cement producer Italcementi to get a 50% stake in a USD 550-750 million new cement plant with local partner.

Malta - Drugs
German company Adinotec, formerly known as Neosino Nanotechnologies, in advanced talks to set up a greenfield factory producing dietary supplements.

Morocco - Electronic components
The electronic equipment manufacturer Adetel to set up a manufacturing subsidiary called CMS Electronique, in Mohammedia, near Casablanca..

Syria - Cement
The French cement producer Lafarge to set up a USD 760 million greenfield cement plant near Damascus, through a JV with local partners.

Tunisia - Data processing & Software
The French collaborative software editor eXo Platform SAS to open a subsidiary in Tunisia to develop its business in Africa.

Turkey - Paper
MM Packaging, a branch of the Austrian paper and carton manufacturer, to acquire a 60 % stake in the Izmir-based folding carton producer Superpack.

Egypt – Export of Moroccan Logan towards Egypt:'the Agadir agreement is under way'
The automobile sector was selected as one of the privileged axis of the economic integration started between Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan.
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Egypt – Doing Business 2009 report: Egypt once more among the top reformers in the world
Egypt, which was crowned last year first reforming country in the world by the World Bank, still appears this year in the top 10.
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Israel – The venture capital boosts Israeli Jordan Valley
According to data's of Israel Capital Venture (IVC), the Israeli companies of high technology received more than USD one billion fresh money in the first half of 2008.
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Jordan – The country turns to the nuclear power to meet its energy needs
A draft-agreement on the uranium exploitation was signed with the French company Areva.
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Libya, Syria– Syria and Libya open for business with foreign investors
Both countries are running economic reforms aimed at opening their local markets to foreign investments and cutting down the role of the State in the economy.
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Morocco – The outsourcing offer of Morocco grows up gently in range
The Moroccan offer of externalized services relates still mainly to the centers of calls, still, number of projects with stronger added value like administrative or financial management is growing.
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Tunisia – Airbus to help Tunisia's aeronautical industry taking off
Airbus is to take over Latecoere's plan to set up a EUR 100 million factory near Tunis. The new facility, operationnal by the end of 2009, will treat components sent by Meaulte and Saint Nazaire plants in France.
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Turkey – Sweden's Ikea will inaugurate its 4th Turkish unit based in Bursa
The Scandinavian-style home furnishing and houseware dealer is about to invest EUR 50 million for its new Turkish store. The store grand opening is scheduled for the coming November 2008.
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16 to 18 October 2008 - Young Mediterranean Leaders Forum, Tunis, Tunisia
The YML Forum intends to bring together every year 200 young leaders from the Maghreb and South European countries.
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21 October 2008 - French pavillon on Technology & Oil show, Tripoli, Libya
This event is the only hydrocarbons show to be held on a regular basis in Libya, since 2002. The edition 2008 will host the French official house for the first time this autumn.
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17 to 23 November 2008 - 2nd Mediterranean Economic Week , Marseille, France
Save the date and plan to stay in Marseille for this week where over 20 economic events on Mediterranean will be held, including several recurring conferences (Euromed Investment Summit of The Economist, Medinnov 4, the conference on Financing Innovation of Medibtikar program, Rendez-Vous Economiques de la Méditerranée from the Cercle des Economistes and Institut de la Méditerranée, and Aspen Round Table). More information given during the summer.
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21 November 2008 - 4th Mediterranean Business Summit
In the context of the Mediterranean Economic Week, Economist Conferences and ANIMA invite you to the 4th MBS, a forum destined for investors, enterprises and decision-makers in order to share about projects and business opportunities in the Mediterranean
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