More Opinion and Insight on North Africa
For millions of people, the months of April through June are travel planning period. In particular for the diasporas that is looking to go back home to North Africa during the summer season, but also for foreign tourists as well. This latter category is a critical target for the Moroccan tourism industry, which is apparently finding difficulties offering competitive prices in a highly budget-sensitive period. Continue Reading »
Like every other region in the world, North Africa is bracing for a difficult period with an unclear time table as to when the global economic recovery will take place. In this issue we report that for the three central Maghreb nations, GDP expanded between a low of 4.9% and a high of 6.2% in 2008, and expectations for 2009 look for reduced economic growth in general. Continue Reading »
America’s new president is a courageous man. He is saying loudly what hundreds of million of Americans generally think, but have long been silenced given the political circumstances of the past years. No doubt billions of people around the world liked what they heard in an interview with Al Arabiya TV, including me. A reassertion of its diplomatic might is what America needs and what Obama seems to be delivering on day one of his presidency. Continue Reading »
Is it possible that the global economic downturn that we are witnessing today may actually have a beneficial impact on the region? Most commentators, including myself, have been talking about and insisting on gloom-and-doom scenarios as an outcome of the crisis, but there are also good things that could emerge as a result. Continue Reading »
The statistics are stunning. Huge numbers of much needed doctors from North Africa and the entire continent, in fact, live and work abroad. But more interestingly, governments in the region have no policies and incentives in place to stimulate returns and get these doctors back. Continue Reading »
Despite statements that their economies are in good shape and built to withstand the ongoing global economic meltdown, North African politicians must be aware that the outlook looks shaky at best. Various indications hint that the region should brace for a tough time this year, as each country in the region is facing a specific set of challenges. Continue Reading »