Article by Econostrum*

Does the social development of the population influence economic performance? A study by Femise, funded by the European Union, sheds light upon the relationship between individual freedoms, degree of openness and foreign direct investments in countries in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa).

The openness of a country towards the outside world [...]

Article by Brigitte Challiol, Econostrum
After decades of stability or reductions, the upward trend in food prices – peaking between 2006 and 2008 and causing serious problems in several countries – highlights the limitations of Egypt’s existing subsidy rules and the need to reform them in order to bring down costs and better target the [...]

The financial crisis has cut growth in southern Mediterranean countries by two percentage points on average, claims Jean-Louis Reiffers, chairman of the scientific committee and coordinator of the Femise. This is far less than the slowdown in Europe, but the state of the region’s public finances means governments must be more aware than ever of [...]

Great disparities remain between the productive performance of countries in the MENA zone. A study carried out by FEMISE highlighted the delay in the region compared to major developing countries, with the clear exception of Morocco.
Before we can talk about regional integration or integration towards the north, the countries in the MENA region (Middle East [...]

With a lack of banking expertise, weak financial products and not enough transparency on the stock markets, the backward financial systems in Mediterranean countries are still a barrier to inward investment. However, things could alter quickly if the changes undertaken are followed through.
The €9bn invested by the European Commission between 1995 and 2006 to support [...]

In a report that screens employment perspectives in the Mediterranean area, Femise General Manager underlines the key role played by immigration in the success of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.
Employment in the North, workers in the South ? The cliché isn’t so obvious. It is used as backcloth of a study entitled “Employment perspectives in the Mediterranean [...]

Tunisia’s gradual economic modernisation must continueThe ability of the southern Mediterranean countries to stave off the devastating effects of the financial crisis justified the limited deregulation of their financial markets. Tunisia is a case in point, and it must continue its steady economic reforms by resisting the temptation of potentially troublesome short-term capital.
Tunisia’s gradual economic [...]