Economy
Oil to Boost Economic Growth in Mauritania
Mauritania
is looking at a near 27% GDP growth in 2006, according to
economists. Granted the country is coming out of nowhere,
it is still a good jump that is needed to get the country
out of its complete poverty. In 2005, Mauritania grew by 5.4%.
What will drive this growth and the anticipated significant
decrease in inflation is the recent start of oil production.
Up until now, the tiny Mauritanian economy depending on mining
and fisheries but with oil, its income will rise going forward
given the unabated appetite for hydrocarbons in the worldwide
market. [read
here]
Energy and Mining
Eyes on Mauritanian Oil
Several companies have been working on
strengthening their position in Mauritania and have committed
investments directly or through joint ventures. The following
is a sample of activities gathered from companies’ public
disclosure. [read
here]
Labor and Human Issues
Europe
in Search of a Balanced Immigration Policy
Europe
is facing a challenging dilemma. While its members have been
busy cracking down on immigration in an effort to reduce it,
Brussels has been calling for a different approach, urging
its members to consider opening their doors to face the looming
labor shortages. Both sides of this debate in Europe, and
in particular the individual nations are looking for a North
African engagement in enforcement in an effort to stop illegal
migrants from entering Europe. European governments are expected
to make their case this year when they meet with their North
African counterparts in Rabat during the EU-Africa Summit,
scheduled for July 2006. [read
here]
Politics and Diplomacy
The Road to Succession in Libya: Brothers
Jockeying for Power
Muamar
Kaddafi is still young and will likely remain in power for
a while. But there is an ongoing debate over who will eventually
succeed him. His elder son, Saif Al-Islam, currently head
of the Kaddafi Foundation is apparently the favorite. His
younger brother Saadi, who is close to the hardliners of the
regime is not seen to be favored precisely because of his
political views and his negative impact on Libya’s football
performance. [read
here]
Agriculture Trade
Higher
Prices for the Other Oil: Spanish Firms Targeting Moroccan
Olive Production
Just
when you thought crude oil prices have been a major hurdle
for Moroccan households, the other oil is now becoming a source
of problems in itself. In major markets, high quality olive
oil can carry hefty prices. In Morocco, prices of olive oil
have been climbing to levels as never seen before. [read
here]
Industries and Markets
Open
Sky Agreement with EU Bodes Well for Morocco's Tourism Industry
The
airline sector in Morocco is a critical component of the nation’s
economy. Without an improving airline industry, the country’s
goal to attract some 10 million tourists in 2010 may have
to be postponed. But the deregulation of the sector means
that such goal will likely be reached. For now, 40 airlines
serve the Moroccan market and planners hope to triple both
frequencies and capacity by 2010. [read
here]
Energy and Minings / Corporate Affairs
Hydrocarbon
Law Exposes Sonatrach to Poaching
By
Geoff D. Porter
After being approved by Algeria's parliament and signed into
law by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the government began
implementation of Energy Minister Chakib Khelil's hydrocarbon
reform on January 1st. While the hydrocarbon reform law is
generally perceived to have been a good development for Algeria's
hydrocarbon sector because it should help counter the leveling
off of Algeria's hydrocarbon production by increasing the
participation of international oil companies (IOCs) in the
upstream sector by offering them lower fees and royalties
and higher production shares within a more transparent regulatory
framework, it does expose Sonatrach to IOC poaching. [read
here]
