Whilst we wait for Ag to answer, I was sen t this from the editor

journal@gis.com

lots of pertinent info here

royrogers

Dear friends,

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 our latest 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. The Economist
Intelligence Unit predicts that for 10 of the 11 MENA countries analyzed will
witness lower GDP growth in 2009. The good news is that none of them will
witness a contraction or negative growth and interestingly, the only country
that could see higher GDP growth is Algeria.

Regardless, the Maghreb region is already feeling the impact of a global
recession, but also as a result of domestic economies that are ill prepared for
such shocks. Part of the weakening economies comes from the own doing of North
Africans themselves. The financial and banking sectors remain largely
underdeveloped, although certainly making some progress. The tax regimes are
still below the norms. The informal markets are enormous and never counted in
GDP calculations. The services industry, although promising has been neglected.
And, more importantly, the deep impact of bureaucracy and cumbersome
administrative processes is such that business creation is stifled. As a result,
North Africans have focused their energy and resources on creating incentives to
attract foreign investors, largely neglecting their own domestic entrepreneurs,
a situation that is likely help drag their economies further down.

This state of affairs is more magnified in Libya where there is no culture of
private entrepreneurship. In this issue we argue that while Libya has an
abundance of cash, it suffers from the lack of business projects, unlike its
neighbors who face an opposite situation. 

On the human front, this issue looks at how North African nations deal with
their Amazigh ethnic populations, also known as Berbers. Recent events in the
Algerian Mzab country and in the Libyan town of Yefren underscore the continued
harassment of the Berbers, whose fate and future remain uncertain. In Morocco,
poverty continues to impact the lives of millions. This winter has been
particularly harsh that dozens of poor villagers have lost their lives, a
situation that underscores the weaknesses in the country’s social economic
development.

But events from the Maghreb are not all negative. We continue to see economic
investments being committed despite the tough global economy. Among the most
promising areas of growth are the region’s port infrastructures that are
growing and expected to compete with some of the world’s best ports. As this
year evolves, the region will continue to be an important hub of events,
politically and economically. And so we look forward to providing more insight
on what we see and what we think.

- For our eLetter subscribers, we propose the following stories:

1. Islamic Banking in the Maghreb 

Islamic financial instruments continue to attract consumer attention, with the
central element of being interest-free products in compliance with Islamic
Sharia law. According to financial sources, the value of funds involved in
Islamic banking worldwide grew by an average of 15% annually over the past three
years. Some analysts estimate Islamic banking to be worth some $500 billion,
with the Middle East controlling a quarter of those assets. Kuwait is reportedly
the biggest contributor, accounting for almost 29% of the sector’s value in
the Gulf region. It is followed by Saudi Arabia with about 27%, and the UAE with
15.2%.... Full story: 
http://www.north-africa.com/naj_news/news_na/islamic-banking-in-the-maghreb.html
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2. A Troubled Bluefin Tuna in North Africa

The stocks of bluefin tuna along the southern shores of the Mediterranean coast
are quickly depleting. This is also the case in the entire Mediterranean Sea,
not just the souther rim. Over fishing and capture practices that some qualify
as savage hunting are all leading to the fast disappearance of tuna stocks in
the region. Of a particular worry is the aggressive stance of industrial fishing
fleets that do not hesitate to seek and capture tuna even in the reproductive
zone of the Gulf of Syrte, offshore Libya. Because of the profitable nature of
this activity, fraud and lack of transparency are paramount, while the canning
industry in the region is facing its own troubles. Continue here.
http://www.north-africa.com/naj_news/news_na/a-troubled-bluefin-tuna-in-north-africa.html
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3. WiMAX Makes its Debut in North Africa

Libya is North Africa's first market to deploy WiMAX, a technology that
makes wireless access to the Internet available at a much wider range (up to 50
kilometers) than what Wi-Fi offers today. Built by three leading
telecommunications equipment makers, France’s Alcatel, and China’s ZTE and
Huawei, this new WiMAX network is meant to accommodate more than a quarter
million users. The service will be managed by Libya Telecom and Technology
Corporation (LTT), the country’s primary Internet mobile services company....
Continue here:
http://www.north-africa.com/naj_news/news_na/wimax-makes-its-debut-in-north-africa.html
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4. Video: Muamar Kaddafi's Views of a Union with Europe

The Israeli offensive on Gaza has further strengthened the opponents of a
Mediterranean Union (MU). But even before the Gaza disaster, many voices in the
southern rim of the Med sea expressed skepticism to the initiative put forward
by Frech President Sarkozy. Among the most vocal opponents of an MU is Libyan
leader Muamar Kaddafi. In this press conference, Kaddafi shares his skepticism
and the reasoning driving his opposition. Video of the press conference through
this link....
http://www.north-africa.com/naj_news/news_na/muamar-kaddafis-views-of-a-union-with-europe.html
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- Also:  The kidnapping of a Canadian diplomate working for the UN has
attracted a lot of press coverage in Canada. Watch The North Africa Journal’s
deputy editor, Alessandro Bruno’s TV interview at CTV.  
http://watch.ctv.ca/news/latest/al-qaeda-involved/#clip141427

- Mr. Bruno also shares his views on the bombings in Cairo:
http://watch.ctv.ca/news/#clip142569
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If you are a paying subscriber, please visit this site to read the entire issue
there:
http://www.north-africa.com/premium/  
Download full PDF: http://www.north-africa.com/private/PDFs/mwm213.pdf
Password reminder: http://www.north-africa.com/amember/member.php

This week Premium Analysis includes:

-The Rise of North African Ports: Preparing for 21st Century Commerce 
- Renault-Nissan Project in Morocco Facing Massive Hurdles
- Kaddafi the African
- Attijariwafa Bank in a Three-Horse Race to Control African Banking
- Harassment of Ethnic Berbers on the Rise in North Africa
- Harsh Winter Unveils Weakness in Morocco's Social and Economic
Development
- BCP Bank and OCP Increase Capital, Swap Shares
- Is Libya Ready for the Private Sector?
- Maghreb Economic Performance: A Fair 2008, But Uncertain Outlook
- Post Gaza Analysis: Crisis of Leadership and Lack of Vision in the Arab World
- Local Elections in Morocco: A Socialist-Islamist Alliance in the Offing
- Opinion by Franklin Cudjoe: Africa Under Muammar Kaddafi 
- And more

For those interested in learning more about our Security Assessment and Outlook
for North Africa, we are organizing a telebriefing on March 25, 2009. Details
can be found at: http://www.north-africa.com/premium/conferences/1Q09.htm

Finally, if you are interested in contributing with opinion pieces or sharing
your own thoughts on any issues relevant to North Africa, we invite you to start
your blog within the North Africa Journal. Details here:
http://north-africa.com/premium/blogs/

Best regards,
Arezki Daoud
The North Africa Journal
northafricajournal@gmail.com
www.north-africa.com

















































































































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