Invest in the MEDA region, why, how ? Algeria Egypt / Israel / Jordan / Lebanon / Libya / Morocco / Palestinian Authority/ Syria / Tunisia / Turkey PAPERS & STUDIES n°22 April 2007 Collective work driven by Sonia Bessamra and Bénédict de Saint-Laurent Invest in the MEDA region, why how ? References This document has been produced within the context of a mission entrusted by the European Commission to the Invest in France Agency (AFII), assisted by the Istituto Nazionale per il Commercio Estero, ICE (Italy) and the Direction des Investissements, DI (Morocco), to develop a Euro‐Mediterranean Network of Mediterranean Investment Promotion Agencies (« ANIMA»). The n°of the contract is: ME8/B7‐4100/IB/99/0304. ISBN: 2‐915719‐28‐4 EAN 9782915719284 © AFII‐ANIMA 2007. Reproduction prohibited without the authorisation of the AFII. All rights reserved Authors This work is the second edition of a synopsis guide realised with contributions from various experts working under the ANIMA programme, especially for the writing of the project web site pages. The following authors have participated in the two editions: In 2006, Sonia Bessamra (free‐lance consultant) and Bénédict de Saint‐ Laurent (AFII) have fully updated the content, assisted by Pierre Henry, Amar Kaddouri, Emmanuel Noutary and Elsa Vachez (ANIMA team, translation, revisions); The former 2004 edition, which provides the guide frame, was directed by Bénédict de Saint‐Laurent (ANIMA, co‐ordination, synopsis, rewriting, data), Stéphane Jaffrin (ANIMA, on line implementation, some updates) and Christian Apothéloz (free‐lance consultant, co‐ordination), assisted by Alexandre Arditti, Delphine Bréant, Jean‐François Eyraud, Jean‐Louis Marcos, Laurent Mauron, Stéphanie Paicheler, Samar Smati, Nicolas Sridi et Jihad Yazigi (various thematic or country articles). The country pages have been read and amended by the investment promotion agencies of MEDA countries. ANIMA declines any responsibility on possible errors or inaccuracies. 3 Invest in the MEDA region, why how ? Contents Recent change in MEDA countries’ economic situation.................10 Overview..............................................................................................10 An appreciable growth.............................................................................. 10 Capital flows increase significantly......................................................... 13 Reforms and privatisation breakthrough ............................................... 15 Foreign investment growth ...................................................................... 16 Mid‐term macroeconomic review per country...............................19 The Euro‐Mediterranean partnership and the new neighbourhood policy ...........................................................................24 The Euro‐Mediterranean partnership and the MEDA programme ..........................................................................................24 The MEDA and FEMIP financial instruments and the institutional twinning.........................................................................28 The South‐South co‐operation...........................................................33 Business opportunities in MEDA countries......................................36 Algeria ..................................................................................................36 Overview..................................................................................................... 36 The National Investment Development Agency (ANDI)..................... 42 How to invest in Algeria........................................................................... 44 Finance & banking in Algeria................................................................... 48 Telecommunications & internet in Algeria............................................. 49 Business opportunities in Algeria............................................................ 51 Success Story: Orascom, 10 million subscribers in Algeria .................. 67 Egypt.....................................................................................................69 Overview..................................................................................................... 69 How to invest in Egypt?............................................................................ 78 Finance & banking in Egypt ..................................................................... 81 Telecommunications & internet in Egypt ............................................... 83 Business and investment opportunities in Egypt .................................. 87 4 Invest in the MEDA region, why how ? Success Story: The Dutch Heineken company brews 100 million litres of malted drinks every year............................................................ 97 Israel......................................................................................................99 Overview..................................................................................................... 99 Israel’s Investment Promotion Centre (IPC) ........................................ 103 How to invest in Israel ............................................................................ 104 Finance & banking in Israel .................................................................... 106 Telecommunications & internet in Israel.............................................. 108 Business and investment opportunities in Israel................................. 110 Success story: global high tech alliance Tel Aviv ‐ Grenoble............. 124 Jordan .................................................................................................126 General overview..................................................................................... 126 The Jordan Investment Board (JIB)........................................................ 132 How to invest in Jordan? ........................................................................ 134 Finance & banking in Jordan.................................................................. 137 Telecom & internet in Jordan ................................................................. 138 Business and investment opportunities in Jordan............................... 141 Success story: Land Rover makes a strategic all‐weather investment................................................................................................. 151 Lebanon..............................................................................................153 Overview................................................................................................... 153 The Investment Development Authority for Lebanon (IDAL).......... 162 How to invest in Lebanon....................................................................... 163 Finance & banking in Lebanon............................................................... 170 Telecom & internet in Lebanon.............................................................. 172 Business and investment opportunities in Lebanon ........................... 173 Success story: Ipsos polls the Middle East from Beirut ...................... 178 Libya ...................................................................................................180 Overview................................................................................................... 180 How to invest in Libya? .......................................................................... 188 The Libyan Foreign Investment Board (LFIB)...................................... 196 Financial & banking sector in Libya ...................................................... 198 5 Invest in the MEDA region, why how ? Telecommunication & Internet in Libya ............................................... 200 Business and Investment Opportunities in Libya ............................... 203 Morocco..............................................................................................221 Overview................................................................................................... 221 The Department of Investments (DI)..................................................... 227 How to invest in Morocco....................................................................... 229 Finance & banking in Morocco .............................................................. 233 Telecom & internet in Morocco.............................................................. 236 Business and investment opportunities in Morocco ........................... 238 Success story: Telefonica invades the Moroccan telecom market ..... 254 Palestinian Authority (West Bank and Gaza) ...............................256 Overview................................................................................................... 256 Palestine Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA)................................. 262 How to invest in the Palestinian Territories......................................... 264 Finance & banking in Palestine.............................................................. 266 Telecommunications & internet in Palestine........................................ 267 Business and investment opportunities in Palestine........................... 269 Success story: Watanyia Telecom believes in the power of communication......................................................................................... 283 Syria ....................................................................................................284