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The internet is a very helpful tool for those researching economic aspects of the Middle East. It offers access to general economic information, statistical data, reports and papers on economic policy, economic and business news on both the regional and country level. This guide aims to provide a list of the most useful and complete websites covering the economics of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Suggestions for additional websites and updates on link addresses are welcome.
CONTENTS
A- Regional websites
1) General economic and business information
2) Statistics
3) Trade related websites
4) Finance related websites
5) Energy information
6) Research institutes and think tanks
7) Economic, business and financial news
B- Sub-regional websites
1) North Africa
2)
Gulf
3)
Levant
4)
Mediterranean region
C- By country
Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran,
Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman,
Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates,
Tunisia, Turkey, Yemen.
A. REGIONAL SITES
General economic and business information
The MENA page of the World Bank’s website is an excellent place to start to find economic information on the region and on specific countries. It is one of the few sites that contain economic reports and statistical data both at the regional and the national level. It also offers access to the World Bank Middle East and North Africa Working Papers, to information on different economic sectors and topics and to regional economic news: <http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/mna/mena.nsf>.
The MENA Report is also a very comprehensive general website covering regional and national economic issues. It provides detailed country business guides, a wide range of statistics as well as financial and economic news: <http://www.menareport.com/>.
Al-Bab’s well-presented economic section also contains much information. It includes economic reports, statistics, maps of economic activity, and more publications from different sources such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the U.S. State Department. The country pages have links to different economic related sites. Israel, however, does not figure in this site: <http://www.al-bab.com/arab/econ/economy.htm>.
The U.S. State Department’s website contains high-quality economic information on Middle East countries. It offers access to very complete country commercial guides and reports on economic policy and trade practices released by the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs of the State Department. The commercial guides describe the current economic situation and review trade regulations and investment laws. Country reports on economic policy and trade practices are very useful documents for those interested in MENA countries’ budgetary, monetary and trade policies: <http://www.state.gov/www/issues/economic/country_reports.html>.
The “Services d’expansion economique” of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a wide range of precious economic information on MENA countries: general economic information, financial information, information on foreign direct investment, on corporate laws and on economic sectors. Unfortunately, this site is not translated into English: <http://www.dree.org/pee/pmorient.cfm>.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s website offers access to the different documents published by the Fund on a specific country: country reports, economic issues, working papers, position in the Fund: <http://www.imf.org/>.
The United Nations’ website <http://www.unsystem.org/> also includes general economic information on MENA countries. In particular, the website of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) <http://www.unctad.org/> the website of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) <http://www.uncitral.org/> the website of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) <http://www.escwa.org.lb/> and the website of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) <http://www.undp.org/> are worth consulting.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’s website, created by the same group that publishes The Economist, has excellent original country reports including political content, a review of recent economic policies and updated economic data. Unfortunately, much information cannot be accessed for free: <http://www.eiu.com/>.
CountryWatch.com proposes the same kind of services as the EIU but the quality of its services is a bit inferior: <http://www.countrywatch.com/cw_regions.asp?RID=6>.
Info-Prod Research (IPR) is a company dedicated to providing accurate economic information on Middle Eastern countries. IPR’s website is also a good place to start to find economic information on Middle East countries. It offers access to country guides that contain background economic information as well as more detailed information on economic sectors, taxation, investment laws, etc. Some of IPR’s services cannot be accessed freely: <http://www.infoprod.co.il/>.
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)’s website has an interesting MENA section, which includes CIPE’s publications and articles as well as links to economic websites: <http://www.cipe.org/region/mideast/index.php3>.
If you need to consult more general websites, Mafhoum.com has a very long list of links to economic related regional and national sites: <http://www.mafhoum.com/>.
Statistics
In addition to the sites above, there are a number of sites that have valuable economic statistics for the region.
The World Trade Organization (WTO)’s website <http://www.wto.org/> has trade related Middle East statistics.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s website <http://www.undp.org/hdr2001/> includes the Human Development index of MENA countries.
The U.S. Census Bureau’s site offers access to some socio-demographic data on Middle East countries: <http://www.census.gov/ftp/pub/ipc/www/idbnew.html>.
University of Michigan’s website has a wide range of economic statistics, including statistics on the Middle East: <http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/stats.html>.
Trade related websites
TradePort is an American company designed to be an easy-to-use tool offering one place to find comprehensive trade information and company databases. Its website offers complete trade related information on MENA countries:
<http://www.tradeport.org/ts/countries/index.html>.
The World Trade Organization (WTO)’s website <http://www.wto.org/> has interesting trade policy reviews.
The Islamic Centre for Development of Trade’s website contains investment guides, trade guides, trade statistics and economic indicators on Middle East countries members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC): <http://www.icdt.org>.
Trade Arabia <http://www.tradearabia.com/> provides business services and information with a view to facilitating trade with the Arab world.
Gulf Law is a guide on corporate law in the Arab Middle East: <http://gulf-law.com/>.
Finance related websites
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, provides loans for private investment in the developing world. Its website contains much financial information on the MENA region. It also includes country profiles: <http://www.ifc.org/mena/>.
MENAFN <http://www.menafn.com> is the Middle East North Africa Financial Network. Based in Amman and Dubai, it includes recent financial statistics and good country reports. However, Israel is excluded from this site.
The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group aims to promote development in Muslim countries. In particular, IDB’s website provides access to interesting annual reports on Muslim countries that are downloadable: <http://www.isdb.org/>.
To find information on Middle East’s stock markets, consult the Standard and Poor’s Emerging Market Data Base: <http://www.spglobal.com/indexmainemdb.html>.
The Washington Post’s website has a complete page on MENA financial markets:
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/longterm/stocks/afme.htm>.
The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development provides loans for Arab countries. Its site contains information on its activities: <http://www.arabfund.org/>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA-U.S. Department of Energy)’s website <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/cabsme.html> is the most complete and accurate site on energy. It provides very complete and updated country analyses and has links to energy-oriented websites.
The Center for Energy, Marine, Transportation and Public Policy at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) of Columbia University focuses on the study of energy related issues. Its website includes the Center’s publications and links to a long list of energy sites: <http://sipa.columbia.edu/cemtpp/index1.html>.
The Middle East Economic Survey <http://www.mees.com/> contains much high quality information on regional energy.
<http://www.oilsite.com> is a good general website on the oil and gas industry.
The website of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) <http://www.opec.org> is also worth consulting. It includes information on member countries, news on the oil market and offers free access to some of OPEC’s publications.
The oil section of the previously mentioned Al-Bab site is also quite complete. It has links to numerous websites on oil: <http://www.al-bab.com/arab/econ/oil.htm>.
Research institutes and think tanks
The Economic Research Forum (ERC-Egypt) is one of the few independent research institutes dedicated to policy oriented economic research on the MENA region. ERC’s website offers access to very useful documents such as “the MENA annual trend report” and ERF’s papers: <http://www.erf.org.eg/>.
The Middle East Studies Program’s page of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) contains high quality information on economic and strategic issues in the region. This website directed by Judith Kipper and Anthony H. Cordesman includes complete general, regional and topical reports: <http://www.csis.org/mideast/online.html>.
The Middle East Economic Association (MEEA) of Loyola University of Chicago is an association of scholars interested in studying the economics of the Middle East. Its website houses MEEA electronic journal: <http://gsb.luc.edu/depts/economics/meea.htm>.
Economic, business and financial news
Zawya.com provides business and finance coverage of the Middle East and North Africa. It is very useful to find current information on a specific country or sector: <http://www.zawya.com>.
Middle East News Online offers a compilation of business and financial news from different Middle Eastern and international sources: <http://www.middleeastwire.com/atlarge/business/>.
Arabia.com has a business section, which includes country coverage and business news: <http://www.arabia.com/business/>.
Al Bawaba’s homepage also contains economic and business news of good quality: <http://www.albawaba.com/>.
The Economist has a Middle East and Africa page that contains articles on the region published in the weekly: <http://www.economist.co.uk/world/africa>.
The Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) is a journal covering current economic developments in the Middle East: <http://www.meed.com/>.
The Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) is a journal concentrating on Middle East economics: <http://www.mees.com/>.
B. SUB-REGIONAL SITES
North Africa
<http://www.maghrebarabe.org/> is the website of the Union du Maghreb Arabe (UMA).
The North Africa Journal <http://www.north-africa.com/one.htm> is a new economic oriented journal on North Africa. Some articles can be freely accessed.
Le Maghreb dans les sciences socials de la Fondation du Roi Abdul Aziz de Casablanca is a website in French and Arabic dedicated to North African Studies. It includes links to most websites on North Africa: <http://www.fondation.org.ma/>.
Gulf
Gulf 2000 is an excellent place to start to find economic information on the Gulf. This site was developed by the Gulf/2000 Project at the School of International and Public Affairs of Columbia University. It is probably the best general website on the Persian Gulf. It covers different aspects of the region, including economics. Gulf 2000 refers to a wide range of economic links on the Persian Gulf: <http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/>.
Gulf Wire is a website run by
the National Council on U.S-Arab Relations and the U.S-GCC Corporate Cooperation
Committee. It provides a wealth of economic information on the region: <http://www.arabialink.com/GulfWire/>.
<http://www.gulfbusiness.com/> is a website on Middle East economic news analyzed from a Gulf perspective.
<http://www.gulfdirectory.com.bh/index.html> is useful to find business information on the Gulf.
Levant
Al Mashriq’s site includes general and economic information on the Levant: <http://almashriq.hiof.no/>.
The MENA section of the International Technology and Trade Network (ITTN) aims at promoting trade and development in Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan. It offers access to business guides and other documents with a view to facilitating business links between these countries: <http://www.ittn.org>.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website is an excellent place to start researching the economic relations between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and Jordan: <http://www.mfa.gov.il/>.
The Israeli Ministry of Regional Cooperation’s website, includes a detailed description of numerous regional economic projects: <http://www.mrc.gov.il/>.
The Shimon Peres Center for Peace aims to promote economic cooperation in the region. Its website includes many interesting links: <http://www.peres-center.org>.
The Mediterranean region
The European Commission’s website is the best place to start researching the Euro-Mediterranean partnership: <http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/med_mideast/intro/>.
La Femise is a policy oriented research institute. Its website constitutes an excellent resource on the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. In particular, its economic reports are worth consulting: <http://www.femise.org/>.
The Mediterranean Foundation of Strategic Studies promotes research on the Euro-Mediterranean partnership: <http://www.fmes-france.org>.
The European Institute for Research on Mediterranean and Euro-Arab cooperation (MEDEA)’s website contains much information on the Arab world, including economic information: <http://www.medea.be/en/index240.htm>.
The Mediterranean Development Forum (MDF) is comprised of different MENA think tanks, UNDP and the World Bank Group. Its main goal is to promote growth in the Mediterranean region: <http://www.worldbank.org/mdf/>.
To find information on the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) activities in the Mediterranean region, consult EIB’s website: <http://www.eib.org/pub/pub.htm>.
C.
BY COUNTRY
In addition to the above-mentioned World Bank, the State Department, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the IMF, the EIU, and TradePort, several academic institutes have excellent websites on Middle East studies.
“The Countries and Peoples of Arabia” <http://www.hejleh.com/countries/index.html> has a long list of economic oriented websites and is a precious source to find economic information of a particular country.
ALGERIA
Government sites
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in French: <http://www.mae.dz/INDEXnouv.htm>.
Ministry of Industry in French: <http://www.mir-algeria.org>.
Ministry of Finance in French: <http://www.ifrance.com/finances-alg/>.
Ministry of Energy and Mines in French: <http://www.mem-algeria.org>.
Statistics
National Office of Statistics: <http://www.ons.dz>.
General economic and business information
The African Development Bank Group’s Algeria page: <http://www.afdb.org/african_countries/home_algeria.htm>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Algeria page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/algeria.html>.
Economic and business news
La Tribune is an Algerian daily covering economic issues in French: <http://www.latribune-online.com>.
El Khabar is an Algerian daily in Arabic. Some articles are available in French and English: <http://www.elkhabar.com>.
BAHRAIN
Government sites
The Ministry of Finance and National Economy under construction: <http://www.mofne.gov.bh/>.
Central Bank
Central Monetary Agency: <http://www.bma.gov.bh/>.
Stock Exchange
<http://www.bahrainstock.com/>.
Chamber of Commerce
Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry: <http://www.bahchamber.com/main.asp>.
General economic and business information
Economic Development Board: <http://www.bpmb.com>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Bahrain page:
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/bahrain.html>.
Economic news
Gulf Daily News- The Voice of Bahrain is a general daily in English:
<http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/>.
Bahrain Tribune is the English leading newspaper in Bahrain: <http://www.bahraintribune.com/newpdf/>.
EGYPT
Government sites
Ministry of Economy: <http://www.economy.gov.eg>.
Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade: <http://www.tpegypt.gov.eg/>.
Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation: <http://www.agri.gov.eg/webh.htm>.
Statistics
Ministry of Economy’s economic indicators: <http://www.economy.gov.eg/ecoind.htm>.
Stock Exchange
Egyptian Capital Market Stocks
Quotes: <http://www.egyptianstocks.com/>.
General economic and business information
The African Development Bank Group’s Egypt page: <http://www.afdb.org/african_countries/home_egypt.htm>.
American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt: <http://www.amcham.org.eg/>.
Egypt and the USAID: <http://www.usaid.gov/pubs/bj2001/ane/eg/>.
Egyptian Exporters Association: <http://www.expolink.org/>.
MBendi-Information for Africa’s Egypt page : <http://www.mbendi.co.za/land/af/eg/p0005.htm>.
Ernst and Young investment profile: <http://www.mbendi.co.za/ernsty/cyegeyip.htm#tax>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Egypt page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/egypt.html>.
Research Institutes
Development Economic Policy Reform Analysis of the Ministry of Economy: <http://www.economy.gov.eg/depra/>.
Egyptian Center for Economic Studies: <http://www.eces.org.eg/>.
Economic and business news
Egyptian Economic bulletin of the Ministry of Economy:
<http://www.economic.idsc.gov.eg/>.
Business Today Egypt is a monthly in English: <http://www.businesstoday-eg.com>.
IRAN
Government sites
Ministry of Commerce (in Persian): <http://www.iranministryofcommerce.com/>.
Statistics
Iran virtual library: <http://ivl.8m.com/>.
Statistical Centre of Iran (SCI): <http://www.sci.or.ir/>.
Stock exchange
Tehran Stock Exchange: <http://www.tse.or.ir/>.
Chambers of commerce
Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines: <http://www.iccim.org/>.
Iranian Trade Association (Washington): <http://www.iraniantrade.org/>.
Economic and Business general information
Iran Trade Point Network: <http://www.irtp.com/>.
Iran Industrial Information Network: <http://www.iranindustry.com/>.
Iranian Embassy in Canada: <http://www.salamiran.org/Economy/>.
Kish Island free trade zone: <http://www.kfzo.com/>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Iran page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/iran.html>
Petrochemical Commercial Company: <http://www.petrochem-ir.net/>.
On U.S. sanctions
State Department’s page on U.S. policy towards Iran: <http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/nea/gulfsec/iranpage.htm>.
Research Institute
Foundation for Iranian Studies (FIS): <http://www.fis-iran.org/>.
Economic and business news
The Eurasia Research Center Iranian site has many news links: <http://eurasianews.com/iran/iranhome.htm>.
Tehran Times is a general daily in English: <http://tehrantimes.com>.
Iran Daily is another general daily in English: <http://www.iran-daily.com>.
IRAQ
Government sites
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: <http://www.uruklink.net/mofa/>.
Statistics
Iraq at a glance (World Bank):
<http://www.worldbank.org/cgi-bin/sendoff.cgi?page=%2Fdata%2Fcountrydata%2Faag%2Firq_aag.pdf>.
Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic countries: <http://www.sesrtcic.org/members/irq/irqhome.shtml>.
General economic and business information
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: <http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/iraq/>.
IMF’s Iraq page: <http://www.imf.org/external/country/IRQ/index.htm>.
TradePort: <http://www.tradeport.org/ts/countries/iraq/>.
Energy
information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Iraq
page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/iraq.html>.
On U.N. sanctions
Office of foreign assets control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department: <http://www.treas.gov/ofac/>.
U.N. Office of the Iraq Programme Oil for Food:
<http://www.un.org/Depts/oip/>.
Selection of U.N. documents on Iraq: <http://home.achilles.net/~sal/un-ros.html>.
Iraqi Permanent Mission to the United Nations: <http://www.iraqi-mission.org>.
Section des interets de la Republique d’Iraq a
Paris (in French): <http://www.embassyiraq.com/>.
Anti-sanctions site: <http://www.geocities.com/iraqinfo/>.
Economic and business news
Al-Iktissadi is an economic newspaper in Arabic: <http://www.iraq2000.com/iktisadi/index.htm>.
Iraq Report is a general weekly in English: <http://www.rferl.org/Iraq-report/index.html>.
Al-Iraqi includes many news links: <http://www.aliraqi.com>.
<http://www.baghdad.com> contains business and economic news.
ISRAEL
Government sites
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: <http://www.mfa.gov.il>
Ministry of Finance: <http://www.mof.gov.il>.
Ministry of Industry and Trade: <http://www.israel-industry-trade.gov.il>.
Ministry of Regional Cooperation: <http://www.mrc.gov.il>.
Statistics
Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS): <http://www.cbs.gov.il>.
Central Bank
Bank of Israel: <http://www.bankisrael.gov.il/>.
Stock exchange
Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange: <http://hebrew.tase.co.il/www/intro.asp>.
Chamber of commerce
Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce: <http://www.chamber.org.il>.
General economic and business information
U.S. Department of State’s commercial guide: <http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/business/com_guides/1999/nea/israel99.html>.
U.S. Department of State report on Economic Policy and Trade practices: <http://www.state.gov/www/issues/economic/trade_reports/1999/israel.pdf>.
Israel and the International Monetary Fund: <http://www.imf.org/external/country/ISR/index.htm>.
Daniel Laufer teaches a course on “Doing Business in Israel” at the University of Texas at Austin. His website includes many links to Israeli business related sites: <http://menic.utexas.edu/menic/cmes/laufer/links.html>.
Websites on Israeli high-tech companies:
Neto: <http://www.neto.co.il>.
Koldoon: <http://www.koldoon.com>.
Research Institutes
Israeli Industry Center for Research and Development: <http://www2.matimop.org.il/1/index.html>.
Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies (Jerusalem):
The Israel Democracy Institute: <http://www.idi.org.il>.
Israel Center for Social and Economic Progress: <http://www.icsep.org.il>.
The Shalem Center: <http://www.shalem.org.il>.
Economic and business news
Globes is an Israeli financial daily: <http://www.globes.co.il>.
Ha’aretz is an Israeli daily newspaper with an English version: <http://www.haaretzdaily.com>.
Jerusalem Post is an Israeli daily newspaper in English: <http://www.jpost.com>.
JORDAN
Government sites
Ministry of Finance: <http://www.mof.gov.jo>.
Ministry of Trade and Industry: <http://www.mit.gov.jo>.
Ministry of Agriculture: <http://www.moa.gov.jo>.
Statistics
Government’s Department of Statistics: <http://www.dos.gov.jo>.
Central Bank
Central Bank of Jordan: <http://www.cbj.gov.jo>.
Stock exchange
Amman financial market: <http://www.access2arabia.com/afm/>.
Chamber of Industry
Amman Chamber of Industry: <http://www.aci.org.jo/amman/>.
General economic and business information
National Information System: <http://www.nis.gov.jo/infres/owa/Sector2_e?v_Main_code=4>.
Jordan Export Development and Commercial Centers Corporation (JEDCO): <http://www.jedco.gov.jo>.
Jordan customs department: <http://www.customs.gov.jo>.
Energy Information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Jordan page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/jordan.html>.
KUWAIT
Government sites
Ministry of Finance: <http://www.mof.gov.kw/>.
Ministry of Planning: <http://www.mop.gov.kw/>.
Kuwait Investment Authority: <http://www.kia.gov.kw/>.
Central Bank
Central Bank of Kuwait: <http://www.cbk.gov.kw/>.
Stock exchange
Kuwait stock exchange: <http://www.alsadon.com/rates.html>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Kuwait page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/kuwait.html>.
Kuwait National Petroleum Company: <http://www.knpc.com.kw/>.
Research Institute
Center for Research and Study on Kuwait: <http://www.crsk.org>.
Economic and business news
Al Shall weekly economic report: <http://www.alnadeem.com.bh/shall/>.
LEBANON
Government sites
Ministry of Economy and Trade: <http://www.economy.gov.lb>.
Ministry of Finance: <http://www.finance.gov.lb/>.
Ministry of Agriculture: <http://www.agriculture.gov.lb>.
Ministry of Telecommunications: <http://www.mpt.gov.lb>.
Council for Development and Reconstruction: <http://www.cdr.gov.lb>.
Lebanese customs: <http://www.customs.gov.lb>.
Statistics
Central administration for statistics: <http://www.cas.gov.lb>.
Lebanon at a glance (World Bank): <http://www.worldbank.org/data/countrydata/aag/lbn_aag.pdf>.
European Institute on Mediterranean and European Arab cooperation (MEDEA)’s Lebanon page: <http://www.medea.be/en/index102.htm>.
Central Bank
The Central Bank of Lebanon: <http://www.bdl.gov.lb>.
Stock exchange
Beirut stock exchange: <http://www.bse.com.lb>.
Chamber of commerce
Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon: <http://www.ccib.org.lb>.
General economic and business information
U.S. Department of State Lebanon’s commercial guide: <http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/business/com_guides/2001/nea/lebanon_ccg2001.pdf>.
Australian department of foreign affairs and trade: <http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/lebanon>.
World Bank’s Lebanon page: <http://www.worldbank.org/html/extdr/offrep/mena/lebanon.htm>.
Lebanon and the International Monetary Fund (IMF): <http://www.imf.org/external/country/LBN/index.htm>.
International Finance Corporation (IFC-World Bank Group)’s country profile: <http://www.ifc.org/camena/lebanon.htm>.
Investment Development Authority of Lebanon: <http://www.idal.com.lb>.
Lebanon Invest: <http://www.lebinvest.com.lb/>.
TradePort Lebanon’s page: <http://www.tradeport.org/ts/countries/lebanon/>.
Arab-Trade’s Lebanon page: <http://www.arab-trade.com/lb.html>.
Energy information
Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Lebanon page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/lebanon.html>.
Research institute
Lebanese Center for Policy Studies: <http://www.lcps.org.lb/>.
Economic and business news
The Daily Star is a Lebanese newspaper in English: <http://www.dailystar.com.lb/index.htm>.
Lebanon online: <http://www.lol.com.lb>.
LIBYA
General economic and business information
For information on investment opportunities especially in the oil and gas industry: <http://www.libyaninvestment.com>.
For trade related information: <http://www.muslimtrade.net/tradeguideline/libya/index.html>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Libya page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/libya.html>.
MBendi’s information on Oil and Gas Industry in Libya:
<http://mbendi.co.za/indy/oilg/af/lb/p0005.htm>.
On U.N. sanctions
Office of foreign assets control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department: <http://www.treas.gov/ofac/>.
Libyan Permanent Mission to the United Nations: <http://www.undp.org/missions/libya/>.
The Pan Am 103 Crash website includes U.N sanctions against Libya and much information on the Lockerbie trial: <http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5260/headpage.html>.
Economic and business news
All Africa’s Libyan page has economic news: <http://allafrica.com/libya/bydate/>.
Libya On The Web houses Libya Today, which has news from different newspapers and agencies: <http://www.libyaontheweb.com/Libyatoday.htm>.
For news from different sources: <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/dr_ibrahim_ighneiwa/newsc.htm>.
MAURITANIA
Government sites
Government official site: <http://www.mauritania.mr/>.
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development: <http://www.economie.gov.mr/>.
Mauritanian Information Agency: <http://www.mauritania.mr/ami/>.
Statistics
National Office of Statistics: <http://www.ons.mr/>.
General economic and business information
The African Development Bank Group’s Mauritania page: <http://www.afdb.org/african_countries/home_mauritania.htm>.
MBendi’s Mauritania page: <http://www.mbendi.co.za/land/af/mu/p0005.htm>.
Economic and business news
Beta includes economic news: <http://www.beta.mr/>.
MOROCCO
Government sites
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Cooperation’s economic page: <http://www.maec.gov.ma/ECONOMIE/default.htm
>.
Ministry of Economics, Finance, Privatization and Tourism: <http://www.mfie.gov.ma>.
Ministry of Economic Prevision and Planning: <http://www.mpep.gov.ma/>.
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Energy and Mines: <http://www.mcinet.gov.ma/>.
Statistics
Statistics’ department of the Ministry of Economic Prevision and Planning: <http://www.statistic.gov.ma/>.
Stock exchange
Casablanca stock exchange: <http://www.casablanca-bourse.com/homeen.html>.
General economic and business information
The African Development Bank Group’s Morocco page: <http://www.afdb.org/african_countries/home_morocco.htm>.
Energy information
The Energy Information
Administration (EIA)’s Morocco page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/morocco.html>.
Research
Institute
Centre Marocain de Conjoncture. Observatoire
Independant de l’Economie Marocaine: <http://www.techno.net.ma/cmc/>.
Economic and business news
L’Economiste is a Moroccan economic daily in French:
<http://www.leconomiste.com/>.
La Vie Economique is the leading Moroccan economic weekly in French: <http://www.marocnet.ma/vieeco/index.html>.
La Nouvelle Tribune is a Moroccan economic weekly in French: <http://www.lanouvelletribune.press.ma>.
OMAN
Government sites
Ministry of National Economy: <http://www.moneoman.org/>.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: <http://www.mocioman.org/>.
Ministry of Information: <http://www.omanet.com/commerce.htm>.
Central Bank
Central Bank of Oman: <http://www.cbo-oman.org/>.
Stock exchange
Muscat Securities Market: <http://www.msm-oman.com>.
Chamber of commerce
Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry: <http://www.omanchamber.org/eng_index.htm>.
Economic and business general information
Omani Center for Investment Promotion and Export Development: <http://www.ociped.com>.
For more general economic information: <http://www.inforamp.net/~emous/oman/economf.htm>.
<http://www.businessoman.com/>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Oman page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/oman.html>.
PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
Palestinian Authority’s site
Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction (PECDAR): <http://www.pecdar.org>.
Statistics
Palestinian Center Bureau of Statistics: <http://www.pcbs.org>.
West Bank and Gaza at a glance (World Bank): <http://www.worldbank.org/data/countrydata/aag/wbg_aag.pdf>.
Stock exchange
Palestine Securities Exchange (PSE): <http://www.p-s-e.com>.
Chambers of commerce
Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture:
<http://www.pal-chambers.com/>.
Palestine Chamber of Commerce in the Gaza-Strip: <http://www.g77tin.org/pccghp.html>.
General economic and business information
U.S. Department of State West Bank and Gaza’s commercial guide: <http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/business/com_guides/2000/nea/westbank_CCG2000.pdf>.
World Bank’s West Bank and Gaza’s page: <http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/mna/mena.nsf/61abe956d3c23df38525680b00775b5e/81299af1b1220c528525680e0071d721?OpenDocument>.
Office of the U.N. Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories: <http://www.unsco.org>.
UNDP’s program of assistance to the Palestinian people: <http://pappsrv.papp.undp.org>.
The World Bank, the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority created this site to facilitate donor coordination: <http://www.donor-coordination.org>.
Arab Net: <http://www.a-supernet.net/lables/arab_supernet.asp>.
Palestine Trade Center: <http://www.paltrade.org>.
Arab Palestine Investment Company: <http://www.apic-pal.com/>.
Palestine Development and Investment Ltd. (PADICO): <http://www.padico.com>.
Research institutes
Center for Palestine Research and Studies: <http://www.cprs-palestine.org/index.html>.
Applied Research Institute: <http://www.arij.org/>.
Palestine Economic Forum: <http://www.palecon.org>.
QATAR
Government site
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ site (currently under construction): <http://www.mofa.gov.qa>.
Central Bank
Qatar Central Bank: <http://www.qcb.gov.qa>.
Economic and Business general information
U.S. Embassy in Qatar: <http://www.usembassy.org.qa/>.
US-Qatar business Council: <http://www.qatarbusinesscouncil.org/>. Look at <http://www.qatarbusinesscouncil.org/CCG2000.doc> for Qatar Commercial Guide.
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: <http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/qatar/>.
European Union Information Center: <http://www.medea.be/en/index154.htm>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Qatar page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/qatar.html>.
Economic and business news
Arabia.com’s Qatar page: <http://www.arabia.com/qatar/>.
Al-Raya daily newspaper in Arabic: <http://www.raya.com/>.
SAUDI ARABIA
Government sites
Ministry of Finance and National Economy: <http://www.mof.gov.sa/>.
Ministry of Information: <http://www.saudinf.com/main/e1.htm>.
Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources: <http://www.mopm.gov.sa/>.
Central Bank
Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency: <http://www.sama-ksa.org/>.
Chambers of Commerce
Saudi Chambers of Commerce: <http://www.saudichambers.org.sa/>.
Economic and business general information
Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA): <http://www.sagia.org/>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Saudi Arabia page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/saudi.html>.
Saudi Aramco: <http://www.saudiaramco.com/master.html>.
Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries: <http://www.oapecorg.org/>.
Economic and business news
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat is a Saudi daily in Arabic: <http://www.asharqalawsat.com/>.
Al-Hayat is a Saudi daily in Arabic: <http://www.alhayat.com/>.
Saudi Press Agency: <http://www.spa.gov.sa/>.
SUDAN
Government sites
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: <http://www.sudmer.com/>.
General economic and business information
The African Development Bank Group’s Sudan page: <http://www.afdb.org/african_countries/home_sudan.htm>.
U.S. Committee for refugees: <http://www.refugees.org/news/crisis/sudan.htm>.
Embassy of Sudan in the U.S.A: <http://www.sudanembassyus.org/economy.html>.
Embassy of Sudan in Canada: <http://www.sudanca.com/ecomony/economy.html>.
Sudan Permanent Mission to the United Nations: <http://members.aon.at/sudanivienna/>.
The Investment Authority: <http://www.sudaninvest.org>.
The Washington Post Sudan page: <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/worldref/country/sudan.htm>.
On Sudan sanctions program
Office of foreign assets control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department: <http://www.treas.gov/ofac/sudpage.html>.
Economic and business news
Integrated Regional Information Networks: <http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/archive/sudan.phtml>.
News from <http://www.sudan.net>: <http://www.sudan.net/news/news.html>.
News from <http://allafrica.com>: <http://allafrica.com/sudan/>.
SYRIA
Government sites
Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade: <http://www.syrecon.org>.
Ministry of Industry: <http://www.syr-industry.org/>.
Statistics
IFC’s Syria page: <http://www.ifc.org/camena/syria.htm>.
Chamber of Commerce
Federation of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce: <http://www.fedcommsyr.org/>.
General economic and business information
International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Syria page: <http://www.imf.org/external/country/SYR/index.htm>.
U.S. Department of State’s commercial guide: <http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/business/com_guides/2001/nea/syria_ccg2001.pdf>.
A brief by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs: <http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/syria/>.
Syrian economic society: <http://www.syrianeconomy.org/en/index.html>.
TradePort: <http://www.tradeport.org/ts/countries/syria>.
Business in Syria: <http://www.visit-syria.com/bis/index2.html>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Syria page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/syria.html>.
Economic and business news
Al Thawra is a Syrian daily: <http://www.thawra.com>.
TUNISIA
Government sites
Ministry of Economic Development: <http://www.ministeres.tn/html/ministeres/economique.html>.
Ministry of International Cooperation and Foreign Investment: <http://www.ministeres.tn/html/ministeres/cooperation.html>.
Ministry of Commerce: <http://www.ministeres.tn/html/ministeres/commerce.html>.
Center for Exports’ promotion: <http://www.cepex.nat.tn/>.
Ministry of Agriculture: <http://www.ministeres.tn/html/ministeres/agriculture.html>.
Statistics
National Institute of Statistics: <http://www.ins.nat.tn/>.
Central Bank
Central Bank of Tunisia: <http://www.bct.gov.tn/english/index.html>.
Stock exchange
Tunis stock exchange: <http://www.bvmt.com.tn/>.
General economic and business information
The African Development Bank Group’s Tunisia page: <http://www.afdb.org/african_countries/home_tunisia.htm>.
European Commission Delegation in Tunisia: <http://www.ce.intl.tn/>.
Site aiming at promoting investment in Tunisia: <http://www.investintunisia.com>.
Economic section of Tunisiaonline.com: <http://www.tunisiaonline.com/economy/index.html>.
For more general economic information in French: <http://www.tunisieinfo.com/>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Tunisia page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/tunisia.html>.
Economic and business news
Realites is a general weekly in French: <http://www.tunisieinfo.com/realites/816/index.html>.
La Tunisie Economique is an economic monthly in French: <http://www.tunisieinfo.com/indexte.html>.
TURKEY
Government sites
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>.
Ministry of Finance: <http://www.maliye.gov.tr/>.
Treasury: <http://www.treasury.gov.tr>.
Privatization and Administration: <http://www.oib.gov.tr/>.
Under-secretariat of foreign trade: <http://www.foreigntrade.gov.tr/menueng.htm>.
Statistics
State Institute of Statistics (SIS): <http://www.die.gov.tr/ENGLISH/index.html>.
Central Bank
Central Bank of Turkey: <http://www.tcmb.gov.tr>.
Stock exchange
Istanbul stock exchange: <http://www.imkb.gov.tr>.
General Economic and Business information
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: <http://www.mfa.gov.tr/grupd/da/daa/ecoind-d.htm>.
Turkish Embassy in Washington: <http://www.turkey.org/f_business.htm>.
Export Promotion Center of Turkey: <http://www.igeme.org.tr>.
On Turkey-Europe economic relations: <http://www.foreigntrade.gov.tr/ab/ingilizce/turkeyeu.htm>.
Turkish foreign trade and tourism center: <http://www.turkex.com>.
Energy Information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Turkey page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/turkey.html>.
Economic and business news
Dunya online includes news in English: <http://www.dunyagazetesi.com.tr/>.
Zaman is a Turkish daily: <http://www.zaman.com.tr/>.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Government sites
Government: <http://www.uae.gov.ae/>.
Ministry of Economy and Commerce: <http://www.economy.gov.ae/start.htm>.
Ministry of Finance and Industry: <http://www.uae.gov.ae/mofi/>.
Ministry of Planning: <http://www.uae.gov.ae/mop/>.
Statistics
The Ministry of Planning’s website includes statistics: <http://www.uae.gov.ae/mop/>.
Central Bank
The United Arab Emirates’ Central Bank’s website under construction: <http://www.uaecb.gov.ae>.
Chambers of commerce
For links to U.A.E Chambers of commerce: <http://www.emirates.org/sites/business.html>.
General economic and business information
Business guide: <http://www.uae.org.ae/business/index.htm>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s United Arab Emirates page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/uae.html>.
Economic and business news
Gulf News online: <http://www.gulf-news.com/news/2001/0802/default.asp>.
YEMEN
Government sites
Economic section of the National Information Center: <http://www.nic.gov.ye/English%20site/SITE%20CONTAINTS/internal%20economy/neweco.htm>.
Ministry of Trade and Industry: <http://www.most.org.ye>.
Ministry of Information: <http://www.yemeninfo.gov.ye/ENGLISH/home.htm>.
General Investment Authority: <http://www.giay.gov.ye/e-index.htm>.
Central Bank
Central Bank of Yemen: <http://www.centralbank.gov.ye/>.
General economic and business information
U.S. Embassy in Yemen: <http://www.usembassy.ye/>.
Al-Bab.com: <http://www.al-bab.com/yemen/econ/econ.htm>.
Energy information
The Energy Information Administration (EIA)’s Yemen page: <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/yemen.html>.
Research Institute
American Institute for Yemeni Studies: <http://www.aiys.org/>.
Economic news
Yemen Times is a general weekly in English: <http://www.yementimes.com>.
Mickael Bensadoun holds a Masters in Public Affairs from the “Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris”. He will graduate with a Masters in International Affairs (International Economic Policy concentration) from Columbia University in October 2001 and will start a Ph.D. in Political Science at Bar-Ilan University in November 2001.