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    Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

    Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

    Egypt secures $66 mln from EU, AFD to expand wheat storage

    Egypt secures $66 mln from EU, AFD to expand wheat storage

    Agreements signed to establish 4 food factories in Jordan

    Agreements signed to establish 4 food factories in Jordan

    Morocco set to launch potash project: report

    Morocco set to launch potash project: report

    Food Africa and pacprocess MEA to launch in December with an even larger area

    Food Africa and pacprocess MEA to launch in December with an even larger area

    Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

    Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

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      Qatar’s non-oil sector achieved 9.9% growth in Q4 2022: Prime Minister

      Qatar’s non-oil sector achieved 9.9% growth in Q4 2022: Prime Minister

      International investors keen on entering Saudi market, says minister

      International investors keen on entering Saudi market, says minister

      Egypt aims to enhance contribution of IT sector to GDP: Talaat

      Egypt aims to enhance contribution of IT sector to GDP: Talaat

      Saudi airports witness 42% rise in passengers in first 4 months of 2023

      Saudi airports witness 42% rise in passengers in first 4 months of 2023

      Oman’s annual inflation rate eases to 1.1% in April, lowest since March 2021

      Oman’s annual inflation rate eases to 1.1% in April, lowest since March 2021

      Egypt starts implementation of silicon production project in New Alamein

      Egypt starts implementation of silicon production project in New Alamein

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      Oman gears up for its first smart city

      Oman gears up for its first smart city

      Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

      Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

      Value of Saudi construction contracts jump 35% to $51.3bn: report

      Value of Saudi construction contracts jump 35% to $51.3bn: report

      Qatar to implement new strategies for real estate development

      Qatar to implement new strategies for real estate development

      Real Estate Development Fund deposits $248m in Sakani accounts to boost Saudi housing goals

      Real Estate Development Fund deposits $248m in Sakani accounts to boost Saudi housing goals

      Sharjah records 21,486 real estate transactions worth Dh5.9 billion in Q1 2023

      Sharjah records 21,486 real estate transactions worth Dh5.9 billion in Q1 2023

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        Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

        Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

        Egypt invests $64mln in electricity network development in South Sinai since July 2014

        Egypt invests $64mln in electricity network development in South Sinai since July 2014

        First accredited low-carbon ammonia shipment dispatched from Saudi Arabia to Japan

        First accredited low-carbon ammonia shipment dispatched from Saudi Arabia to Japan

        Oman’s refinery products output jumps by 44%

        Oman’s refinery products output jumps by 44%

        Iraq agrees to 30% stake in TotalEnergies $27bln energy project

        Iraq agrees to 30% stake in TotalEnergies $27bln energy project

        Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

        Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

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          Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

          Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

          Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

          Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

          Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

          Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

          Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

          Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

          Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

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        • Agrofood
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          • Agriculture
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          Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

          Egypt’s agriculture exports rise 17.2 percent in 5 months

          Egypt secures $66 mln from EU, AFD to expand wheat storage

          Egypt secures $66 mln from EU, AFD to expand wheat storage

          Agreements signed to establish 4 food factories in Jordan

          Agreements signed to establish 4 food factories in Jordan

          Morocco set to launch potash project: report

          Morocco set to launch potash project: report

          Food Africa and pacprocess MEA to launch in December with an even larger area

          Food Africa and pacprocess MEA to launch in December with an even larger area

          Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

          Pacts worth over OMR 33 million signed to establish agricultural, fisheries projects

          Trending Tags

          • Business & Economy
            • All
            • Business
            • Economy
            • Finance
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            • Transport & Logistics
            Qatar’s non-oil sector achieved 9.9% growth in Q4 2022: Prime Minister

            Qatar’s non-oil sector achieved 9.9% growth in Q4 2022: Prime Minister

            International investors keen on entering Saudi market, says minister

            International investors keen on entering Saudi market, says minister

            Egypt aims to enhance contribution of IT sector to GDP: Talaat

            Egypt aims to enhance contribution of IT sector to GDP: Talaat

            Saudi airports witness 42% rise in passengers in first 4 months of 2023

            Saudi airports witness 42% rise in passengers in first 4 months of 2023

            Oman’s annual inflation rate eases to 1.1% in April, lowest since March 2021

            Oman’s annual inflation rate eases to 1.1% in April, lowest since March 2021

            Egypt starts implementation of silicon production project in New Alamein

            Egypt starts implementation of silicon production project in New Alamein

            Trending Tags

            • CES 2017
            • Election Results
            • eSports
          • Construction
            • All
            • Infrastructure
            • Real Estate
            Oman gears up for its first smart city

            Oman gears up for its first smart city

            Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

            Saudi real estate ‘booming’ on big office space demand

            Value of Saudi construction contracts jump 35% to $51.3bn: report

            Value of Saudi construction contracts jump 35% to $51.3bn: report

            Qatar to implement new strategies for real estate development

            Qatar to implement new strategies for real estate development

            Real Estate Development Fund deposits $248m in Sakani accounts to boost Saudi housing goals

            Real Estate Development Fund deposits $248m in Sakani accounts to boost Saudi housing goals

            Sharjah records 21,486 real estate transactions worth Dh5.9 billion in Q1 2023

            Sharjah records 21,486 real estate transactions worth Dh5.9 billion in Q1 2023

            Trending Tags

            • Energy
              • All
              • Oil & Gas
              • Power & Electricity
              • Renewable Energy
              Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

              Clean energy technology manufacturing market to reach $790bln by 2030: IEA

              Egypt invests $64mln in electricity network development in South Sinai since July 2014

              Egypt invests $64mln in electricity network development in South Sinai since July 2014

              First accredited low-carbon ammonia shipment dispatched from Saudi Arabia to Japan

              First accredited low-carbon ammonia shipment dispatched from Saudi Arabia to Japan

              Oman’s refinery products output jumps by 44%

              Oman’s refinery products output jumps by 44%

              Iraq agrees to 30% stake in TotalEnergies $27bln energy project

              Iraq agrees to 30% stake in TotalEnergies $27bln energy project

              Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

              Oman signs $20bn hydrogen deals

              Trending Tags

              • Hospitality
                Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

                Qatar: Over 700 hotel keys added in Q1

                Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

                Jordan’s tourism income surges 88% as visitors flock to the country

                Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

                Dubai’s hotel stock hits 150,000 keys as tourist influx from India, Russia, Oman buoys hospitality sector

                Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

                Leisure sector in Qatar stronger after World Cup 2022

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Qatar has ‘solid’ line-up of infrastructure, hospitality projects to prepare for large influx of visitors in 2022: OBG

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

                Saudi to be among world’s big leisure tourism hubs by 2030

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              Mixed reaction to Jordan’s draft investment law

              Oxford Business Group

              May 30, 2014
              in Economy
              0
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              After years of discussions and document-drafting, Jordan is poised to introduce a new investment law which the administration hopes will play a key part in reinvigorating the economy.

              The legislative changes will spearhead a drive to improve the investment climate, with a focus on streamlining processes for businesses and strengthening institutional infrastructure. However, while welcoming the new law and calling for its swift implementation, critics argue that tough competition means still more will need to be done to attract investors.
               
              Challenging times
              Jordan’s economy has felt the weight of a difficult external environment in recent years. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 contributed to lower growth by draining capital markets, while the kingdom has also borne the brunt of regional political unrest since the first uprisings of 2011. A halt in gas supplies from Egypt, an influx of 600,000 Syrian refugees and a significant drop in tourism revenues have all negatively impacted Jordan’s economic performance in the intervening period.

              Lawmakers are confident, however, that the proposed legislation will address several of the most pressing issues that are thought to be hindering foreign direct investment (FDI) growth.

              In a key move, the law paves the way for Jordan to bring the various organizations involved in investment under a new umbrella body – the Higher Investment Council (HIC). The council will be tasked with putting in place national investment strategies and policies. It will also be responsible for cultivating a more investor-friendly environment and boosting private sector participation in the economy.
               
              Overcoming the obstacles
              Almost two decades have passed since Jordan last gave the legislation governing investment a major overhaul, although modifications have been made in the intervening years.

              The Investment Promotion Law is credited with significantly pushing up FDI levels during the period following its introduction in 1995, with FDI rising from 0.2% of GDP in the early 1990s to as much as 10% in the 10-year period up to 2010, according to a 2013 OECD Investment Policy Review. However, while ongoing reforms have earned Jordan a reputation as one of the region’s most liberal economies, increased competition, particularly from emerging economies, has made the task of attracting new investors more challenging, while also exposing the kingdom’s weaknesses.

              In its 2013 review, the OECD cited a number of obstacles which it said risked curbing FDI growth in Jordan, including a complicated legal framework, overlaps and blind spots within incentive regimes. It also pointed to income tax changes, which it described as unhelpful, and restrictions on FDI across a surprisingly high number of sectors, including transport, telecommunications, construction and both wholesale and retail trade.
               
              More to do
              While most agree that the time is ripe to overhaul the legislation governing Jordan’s investment regime, not everyone shares the administration’s confidence that these latest proposals will address the main challenges.

              Critics took the opportunity to suggest ways in which the law could go further at a forum hosted recently by the audit and financial services holding company, Talal Abu Ghazaleh Organisation. Participants called for better coordination of investment and economic policies and a reduction in the number of agencies involved in the investment process. They also highlighted the need for stronger institutional support to help facilitate the ushering in of new legislation.

              The institutional pillars which prop up Jordan’s investment regime have struggled under the weight of expanding business activity in recent years, causing the country’s performance in key international surveys to slide.

              The World Bank’s “Doing Business 2014” study ranked Jordan 117th out of 189 economies surveyed, giving it notably low marks for investor protection, accessing credit and enforcing contracts.

              Jordan’s justice system, in particular, is feeling the strain of a growing business caseload which has built up over the past decade. The country has moved to increase capacity by securing assistance from both the US and the EU, which will speed up investment in technology, training and logistical support for its judiciary.

              The measures should help ensure that the courts are better equipped to enforce new legislation. However, critics will be watching closely to see what other improvements follow.
              Oxford Business Group
              29 May

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