Profiles:
Special Report
Mauritania at Crossroad
The small northwestern African nation of Mauritania has the
opportunity to lift itself out of poverty. Considered part
of the Maghreb region but also one of the poorest countries
in the world, Mauritania is on its way of becoming among the
top-10 oil producers in the African continent this year, if
all goes as planned. Its current oil production could rise
to the point of exceeding that of Cameroon, which produces
about 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day. At $50 or more
per barrel, oil can become more important than mining and
fisheries for the Mauritanian economy. [read
here]
Corporate
Affairs
Rough Sailing for Tunisie Telecom
The partial privatization of Tunisie Telecom is sailing through
rough waters. Unable to manage the intricacies of selling
such state assets to a foreign company, further compounded
by labor union threats, the Tunisian government is between
a rock and a hard place. The situation has gotten so out of
control that privatization authorities were forced to postpone
the operation by six weeks, after it was already pushed from
December 2005 to January 2006. This postponement is the result
of a bad offer from the government forcing the withdrawal
from the bid process of several companies that have initially
expressed interest and of intense pressure from the labor
union, which resulted in a preventative strike. [read
here]
Politics/Diplomacy
While the Algerian President was in Hospital,
His Men Jockeyed for Power
The recent temporary withdrawal of the Algerian president
due to hospitalization in Paris showed that the men he left
behind do not always necessarily see eye to eye on politics.
Bouteflika's stay away from politics showed some cracks in
the political system as prime minister and head of the RND
party Ahmed Ouyahia expressed different positions against
the president's powerful adviser Abdelaziz Belkhadem, head
of the FLN party. [read
here]
Economy/Trade
Algeria-Morocco
Show Opposite Trade Profiles
Blessed by oil and gas and substantial global demand for energy
products, Algeria continues to consolidate its trade figures
with an expanding surplus. Facing higher energy costs and
more competitive export markets, Morocco remains troubled
by an expanding trade deficit. [read
here]
Economy/Trade
Libya's
Economic Revival and Tunisia's Appetite for Oil Boost Trade
Between the Two
With its recent economic opening, its proximity and its common
cultural, Libya has been a major trade opportunity for Tunisia
and its businesses. But Libya has also greatly benefited for
Tunisia's strong appetite for oil. For the first time in their
history, the two countries saw the value of their trade exceed
the billion dollar mark as of November 2005. Although the
two pledged to boost their trade in a roadmap established
a decade ago, it is only now that it is actually happening
as Libya is reintegrated into the world economy. [read
here]
Agriculture/Tourism
Morocco
Braces for the Return of European Fishermen
European parliaments are currently reviewing the agreement
that was reached between the European Union and Morocco relative
to fishing off the coast of the North African country. The
agreement provides with the technical details and the new
rules agreed upon by the two parties, in particular regarding
fishing condition, financial compensation and the distribution
of the catches among the EU countries. Once endorsed, the
agreement will be effective March 1st, 2006 and will be valid
for four years. [read
here]
Industries/Markets
Franchising
Makes its Debut in Algeria
French consumer product vendors and restaurants have begun
establishing a new presence in Algeria. Although this trend
began three year ago, the near-$60 billion in reserve held
by Algeria will likely accelerate this trend of foreign retailers
establishing a presence in the North African nation. With
a more attractive economy, the Algerian consumer is beginning
to attract vendors from abroad, a trend largely driven by
the franchising market that is fuel by local entrepreneurs
with ties to French retail companies. [read
here]
Industries/Markets
Gloomy Outlook for Algeria's Cybercafés
as Internet Penetration of Households Ramps Up
The cybercafé industry is facing difficulty times in
Algeria. The industry that has been so successful over the
past five years risks disappearing as quickly as it has emerged.
[read
here]
Industries/Markets
Moroccan
Textile Makers See Increase Orders and Anticipate a Better
2006 Outlook
As the European Union limits the import of Asian textiles,
in particular from China, Moroccan producers have been benefiting
from this event to boost their European sales. [read
here]
Energy/Mining
Oasis
Group to Resume Operation in Libya after a Near 20 Year Absence
Three American oil companies known as the Oasis Group and
that left Libya nearly 20 years ago will resume their activities
in the North African country. Previously working in Libya
under the joint name of Oasis Group, ConocoPhillips, Marathon
Oil and Amerada Hess announced on December 29, 2005 that they
have reached an agreement with the Libyan National Oil Corporation
on the terms under which they will return to its former oil
and gas production operations in Libya. [read
here]
Industries/Markets
Millions
of Sheep to Celebrate Eid El-Adha in North Africa
The Muslim celebration of Eid El-Adha will take place on January
11, 2006 and North African nations are well prepared from
a supply perspective with a large livestock and an abundance
of ovine animals. But as we approach the celebration day,
prices continue to climb despite a good supply. Lack of regulation
and the role of speculators are fueling the price hikes. [read
here]
