Morocco Open for Trade, Investment As Morocco's ambassador to the United States since 2002, Aziz Mekouar has seen a positive trend in trade relations since the two countries entered into a free trade agreement midway through his tenure. “We are seeing some results,†Mr. Mekouar said during an interview Atlanta. “I think the trade between the two countries grew by 140 percent since (the agreement) entered into force in 2006.†Aabar to Make €4m Investment in Algerian Automotive Joint Venture Aabar Investments, one of the investment arms of Abu Dhabi government, has decided to contribute €4 million as initial investment in a joint venture company it will set up with Algerian government to manufacture automotive products in Algeria. Aabar’s stake in the joint venture (JV) company will be 24.5 per cent of its total capital. The JV is the first of the three companies that will be set up between the parties, who will also include other groups apart from the Algerian government and Aabar, according to a statement posted by Aabar on the Website of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). Tunisia: ICT – Mahdia to Host Second Edition of Computer Security Event At one time, the coastal city of Mahdia was known as a pirate den. Today however, it is a thriving fishing town which also boasts some of the country's best hotel facilities, as well as pristine beaches that attract tens of thousands of visitors each summer. Is it by chance or just a wink to history? The fact remains that from March 22 to 24, 2010, Mahdia will host the 2 nd edition of an event that aims at enforcing computer security. Dubbed “Security Challenge Days 2″ the event is organized at the initiative of the Tunisian Association of Internet and Multimedia (ATIM) and the National Agency for Computer Security (ANSI). Libya warns US oil companies Libya's top oil official on Thursday summoned the local heads of top U.S. energy firms to tell them a diplomatic row with Washington could hurt U.S. businesses in Libya, the state oil company said. Libya is demanding that Washington apologise after a U.S. official made caustic comments about Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and the warning to oil firms was the clearest signal yet that Tripoli was prepared to escalate the dispute. Mbeki Panel brokers deal to push for free elections in Sudan The African Union-led High-Level Panel on Sudan, led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, has brokered a pre-election deal, to ensure political parties participating in Sudan's elections in April stick to the rules of fairness. The Sudanese political parties, including the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM), adopted an electoral code of conduct during a political summit convened by the M beki Panel on Sudan (AUHIP) in the Southern Sudanese capital, Juba, the AU said Thursday. BM
