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Middle East & Africa Monitor provides subscribers with systematic political risk assessment, economic forecasts and business analysis for each country across the region. The service includes online access to the very latest analysis, a 24-month searchable archive of articles and data, and PDF access to the monthly Monitor reports.
Published by Business Monitor International, the emerging market specialists, Middle East & Africa Monitor is broken down into six regional services: East & Central Africa, East Med, the Gulf, North Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa.
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Economy / Tanzania
BMI View: With food inflation forecast to remain high through 2008, we believe the BOT is likely to increase the size of its T-bill auctions, which will in turn, lead to higher T-bill rates. At the same time, ongoing sales of foreign exchange, enacted to control domestic liquidity, should allow the shilling to appreciate towards our 2008 end year target of TZS1,110/US$.
2008-05-06Economy / Congo, Dem. Rep.
Peace remains elusive in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between the government and several rebel...
2008-05-06Economy / Congo, Dem. Rep.
We maintain our year-end inflation forecast of 14.0% y-o-y, mainly because we believe that rising food and fuel prices, as in many other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, will continue...
2008-05-06Economy / Israel
We are not overly hopeful that the ceasefire agreed by 12 Palestinian militant groups in late April will end the violence in Gaza. Although the deal was proposed by Hamas, the group which controls the Gaza Strip, it was not present at the talks in Cairo. Israel remains suspicious that Hamas would use the respite of a ceasefire to regroup, following a series of damaging attacks...
2008-05-01Economy / Egypt
We see the Egyptian pound appreciating to EGP5.20/US$ this year, from around EGP5.38/US$ at the time of writing, before continuing its gradual ascent to end the forecast period at...
2008-04-29Economy / Lebanon
Much has been made of the question of the presidency, and indeed, the election of a leader would certainly boost the country's ratings in the short term. But what would be next?...
2008-04-29Economy / Algeria
High oil prices will contribute to a record current account surplus in 2008. The account will remain in surplus throughout our forecast period, although easing oil prices and steady import growth will cut it down to more modest proportions by 2012.
2008-04-29Economy / Libya
Despite its ongoing reintegration into the world political scene, Libya continues to cause controversy. Four months after joining the UN Security Council, Libya's representative sparked...
2008-04-28Economy / Libya
Libya's foreign exchange reserves grew by more than a third in 2007 to US$79.4bn, on the back of surging oil prices.
2008-04-28Economy / Namibia
The strong performance of the mining sector is likely to lead to robust economic growth and stimulate export expansion over the course of 2008. Against this backdrop, we believe that Namibia's overall balance of payment position will remain stable, fostering macroeconomic stability.
2008-05-07Economy / Namibia
The strong performance of the mining sector is likely to lead to robust economic growth and stimulate export expansion over the course of 2008. Against this backdrop, we believe...
2008-05-07Economy / Namibia
According to Freedom House, Namibia's press freedom is one of the highest guarded in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The NGO stated that Namibia is one of only five states in SSA that...
2008-05-07Political Risk / Iraq
BMI View: The recent escalation in violence, following the government's crackdown against Shi'a militias, and the ongoing sectarian divide, remain the key political risks to Iraq's future stability.
2008-05-08Economy / Kuwait
BMI View: We continue to forecast strong growth amidst abundant liquidity, government spending, investment, consumer spending and net exports.
2008-05-06Economy / Saudi Arabia
A recent report by campaign group Human Rights Watch has severely criticised the treatment of women in Saudi society. In particular, the report criticised the system of male guardianship,...
2008-05-02Economy / Ghana
BMI View: Inflation continues to tick up in Ghana on the back of food and fuel price increases: headline inflation in March came in at 13.8% y-o-y, up from 13.2% the previous month. We now see inflation averaging 14.5% y-o-y in 2008, followed by 13.5% in 2009.
2008-05-02Economy / Ghana
A landmark payment and settlement system known as the 'National Switch and Smartcard Payments System' or 'E-Zwich' was launched in April by Ghana's President John Kufour. The system...
2008-05-02Economy / Gabon
BMI View: Gabon has suspended duties and taxes on food imports, and imposed measures to lower the price of rice and fuel. While the government has the fiscal space to easily afford...
2008-05-02
