<rss version="0.91">
<channel>
<title>www.bi-me.com RSS feed for &#8211; North Africa</title>
<link>http://www.bi-me.com</link>
<description>Middle Eastern Business News and Data</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt soccer violence kills 74, fans turn on army]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56473</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. At least 1,000 people were injured in the violence when soccer fans staged a pitch invasion in  Port Said; The Muslim Brotherhood, saw an &quot;invisible&quot; hand at work.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[OPEC output reaches 3 year high, shows survey ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56456</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Production increased 183,000 barrels, or 0.6%, to an average 30.9 million barrels a day in January from a revised 30.717 million the prior month.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East retailers record strongest growth as global sales rise 5%]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56440</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Retail sales rebound globally but outlook is uncertain as global economy slows down; Middle East and African retailers generating the highest compound annual growth rate of all regions over the 2005-2010 period, according to Deloitte report.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arabian Construction Co. to renovate Nile Ritz Carlton in Cairo]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56430</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. ACC has been awarded the US$90 million contract which includes interior finishing and mechanical electrical and plumbing (MEP) scheduled to be completed in 18 months.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[HC Securities advising on &#039;three big M&amp;As in the region&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56409</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Transactions will exceed US$300 million each. &quot;We are very bullish on Qatar and Saudi Arabia, helped by higher oil prices,&quot; Chairman Hussein Choucri said.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Crises offer unique opportunities to lay foundation for sustainable global growth, says Ahmed Heikal ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56387</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Investors will maximize their chances of locking in attractive long-term returns by investing in businesses that provide solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our age, the Chairman and Founder of Citadel Capital, the leading private equity firm in the Middle East and Africa, said in Davos.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[G-20&#039;s Internet economy set to reach US$4.2 trillion by 2016, says The Boston Consulting Group ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56375</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Every business needs to &quot;go digital&quot; if it is to capitalize on the dramatic transformation of the Internet across the world&#039;s biggest economies over the next five years, while governments &quot;should let the market sort out the winners and losers&quot;.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Shoppers at Morocco Mall ride lift through conical acrylic aquarium ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56378</link>
<description><![CDATA[MOROCCO. Aquadream, the 9.3 meter tall acrylic aquarium designed and built by International Concept Management, Inc. (ICM), is the centerpiece of the luxury giga-mall along Morocco&#039;s coast. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arab Spring stumps Davos investors year after Egypt revolt]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56356</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. One year after Egypt knocked global finance off the agenda at the World Economic Forum, Arab officials returning to Davos may struggle to drum up interest in the region. 

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Citadel Capital sees &#039;strong&#039; interest in Egypt food, transport]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56336</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. &quot;Egypt has more than 80 million citizens, they still need to eat,&quot; Chairman Ahmed, who is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[World needs 600 million jobs for economic growth over the next decade]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56332</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The world faces the additional challenge of creating decent jobs for the estimated 900 million workers who subsist on less than US$2 a day.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Islamists take centre stage in Egypt parliament]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56309</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. In their first act, the deputies in the Islamist-dominated lower house voted overhelmingly for Saad al-Katatni, a leading member of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East business leaders feel strongly about the importance of societal purpose to future success]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56303</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The survey, sponsored by Deloitte and conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), found 76% of respondents believe that the value of a company should be measured by the positive contribution its core business makes to society, as well as by its profits.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt blogger Michael Nabil pardoned]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56264</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Blogger Michael Nabil who was jailed last year for insulting Egypt&#039;s armed forces has been granted a pardon, the military judiciary chief said on Saturday.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt Muslim Brotherhood bloc wins most seats]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56261</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. The assembly, due to hold its first session on January 23, is supposed to select a committee that will write a new constitution. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[The Economist&#039;s special report: State capitalism - the invisible hand ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56251</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Although this new form of state capitalism is sufficiently good at mimicking the market, its &quot;biggest failure is to do with liberty&quot;. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[European debt, unemployment threaten to slow down global economy, says UN]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56230</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Growth rates for the next two years will slow down in most geographical regions, with the exception of Africa. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East Ultra-Luxury Car Market achieves double digit growth in 2011]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56190</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars sales achieved a growth of 23% throughout the Middle East; UAE is the 4th largest individual market for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars after China, US and UK.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East 2012 bond sales to exceed last year&#039;s US$27.6 billion, says Morgan Stanley]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56160</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Middle East and North Africa foreign bond sales will this year surpass the 2011 total amount, as borrowers need to pay loans and will increasingly choose bonds.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[MENA and emerging markets represent the immediate future for renewable energy, says Ernst &amp; Young]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56150</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Energy requirements, policy and job creation are the key drivers; Solar thermal energy has been a particularly popular investment with several large projects on the way in Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Jordan and Morocco.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arab League warns of possible civil war in Syria]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56126</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Arab League head Nabil Elaraby said on Friday he feared a possible civil war in Syria that could have consequences for neighboring countries.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dow Jones Islamic Market Titans Index closed down 0.83% in 2011]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56087</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Index measures performance of 100 of World&#039;s leading Shari&#039;ah-compliant stocks; Dow Jones Islamic Market US Titans 50 Index gained 3.98% in 2011.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[VimpelCom seals agreement with Algeria to explore sale of Orascom Telecom Algerie]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56072</link>
<description><![CDATA[ALGERIA. VimpelCom has agreed that it will consider selling a majority stake in Orascom Telecom Algerie, subject to an acceptable price and satisfaction of other conditions.  ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Citadel Capital Opportunity-Specific Fund to sell 100% of Egyptian upstream oil and gas platform company]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56034</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Cash proceeds from the sale will allow Citadel Capital to recoup additional funding it has extended to Golden Crescent over and above the firm&#039;s equity investment.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Damac, Al-Futtaim to settle Mubarak-era land purchase disputes with Egypt]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56029</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. The Egyptian government is trying to settle disputes with companies in out-of-court reconciliations.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arqaam Capital to acquire El Rashad Securities Brokerage]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56022</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Strong fundamentals of Egypt&#039;s economy combined with anticipated post-recovery growth rates create a strong value proposition.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Funds allocated for Tunis Financial Harbour&#039;s development]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=56018</link>
<description><![CDATA[BAHRAIN. Tunis Financial Harbour is going to be North Africa&#039;s very first offshore financial centre contributing to transforming the region&#039;s economy.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Kuwait stocks slump to new seven-and-half-year-low ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55999</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Kuwait&#039;s market slumped on Thursday on political uncertainty in the Gulf state, while regional bourses ended mixed. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arab League falters in Syria as options to halt deadly crackdown dwindle]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55977</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The Arab League has raised questions about its commitment to halting Syria&#039;s deadly crackdown on protesters by putting a Sudanese general with close ties to an indicted war criminal in charge of a monitoring mission intended to hold the regime accountable. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt holds final round of election as Mubarak&#039;s prosecutor slams &#039;tyrant&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55960</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. The election and Mubarak&#039;s trial, which resumed last week after a two-month hiatus, take place amid growing opposition to the ruling generals.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East stocks plunge in 2011 on Arab Spring, eurozone woes]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55931</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Middle East markets, with the exception of Qatar, ended the year with deep losses after grappling with the Arab Spring and shaken local confidence. The losses ranged, from 3.06% in Saudi Arabia to 49.3% in Egypt. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt&#039;s long-term currency debt downgraded to &#039;BB-&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55928</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Fitch pointed to a decline in central bank reserves and uncertainty over possible International Monetary Fund support]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Symantec discovers new malware with potential to exploit interest around Arab Spring]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55914</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. New malware found targeting individuals specifically in the Middle East through an app could open the door to more malicious attacks.

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<title><![CDATA[Citadel Capital reports solid performance]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55897</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Despite a challenging regional environment, Citadel Capital raises new equity and debt of US$265 million for platform and portfolio companies while the firm&#039;s standalone loss narrows 17.3% quarter-on-quarter to US$3.5 million. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Changes in MENA tax laws promote better transparency, says Ernst &amp; Young]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55882</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Tax authorities in the region have begun to depart from earlier accepted and expected tax norms.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN deplores reported attacks against female protesters in Egypt]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55868</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The head of the UN entity tasked with promoting gender equality voiced concern over reports of attacks against female protesters in Egypt.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt economy falters as Cairo clashes leave 11 people dead]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55805</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Clashes between Egyptian protesters and the army threatened to further undermine the ailing economy, as the benchmark index slumped the most in almost a month.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Syria agrees to Arab League monitoring plan]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55820</link>
<description><![CDATA[SYRIA. &quot;It doesn&#039;t necessarily mean that if and when they do allow the observers in that they will give them the full, unrestricted access that they demand.&quot; 
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Google releases top searches of 2011]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55755</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Zeitgeist report offers a unique perspective on the year&#039;s major events and hottest trends based on searches conducted in the UAE, KSA, Egypt and around the globe. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Mobile VAS penetration in Egypt likely to reach 92% by 2017, says Frost &amp; Sullivan]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55748</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT.  With mobile phone transforming from a simple communication tool to an all-powerful infotainment and utility tool, mobile operators are now shifting from Voice to Value-Added and Data Services in Egypt.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arab states suffer foreign investment slump as political unrest sweeps the region]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55709</link>
<description><![CDATA[KUWAIT. Foreign financing will shrink to between US$50 billion-US$55 billion in 2011 from US$66.2 billion the previous year, the Arab Investment &amp; Export Credit Guarantee Corp., known as Dhaman, said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[ExxonMobil&#039;s 2012 Outlook for Energy sees efficiency, developing world growth and natural gas reshaping demand through 2040]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55685</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Demand to be about 30% higher in 2040 versus 2010 as population grows and global GDP doubles; demand in developing nations rises nearly 60%. 

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Analysis: The covert intelligence war against Iran ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55668</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. &quot;We don&#039;t believe that a military attack against Iran&#039;s nuclear facilities alone is the answer to the regional threat posed by Iran. Iran&#039;s power comes from its ability to employ its conventional forces and not nuclear weapons.&quot;]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt prime minister names new cabinet]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55667</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. New cabinet charged with tackling worsening crime and a sliding economy after the first round of elections showing a landslide victory for Islamist parties.
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<title><![CDATA[Analysis: Egypt and the idealist-realist debate in US foreign policy]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55645</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The myth of the Egyptian revolution was that it was going to create a constitutional democracy like Western democracies. That simply wasn&#039;t the issue on the table. The issue was between the military regime and an Islamist regime. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[An increase of output by non-OPEC nations will make up for rising demand in 2012, says Deloitte report]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55635</link>
<description><![CDATA[QATAR. Oil &amp; Gas reality check report, released at the World Petroleum Congress, sees Iraq and Libya playing a major role in the global oil industry.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[S&amp;P Indices and Arab Federation of Exchanges create S&amp;P AFE 40 Index ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55631</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The S&amp;P AFE 40 is comprised of the 40 largest stocks (measured by float-adjusted market capitalisation) listed on AFE member exchanges.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt holds first run-offs after Islamist gains]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55619</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Egyptians in Cairo, Alexandria and seven other provinces began voting today in run-offs for the first stage of an election that may give Islamist groups the dominant role in parliament. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Why investors should be bullish on Africa]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55574</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Home to the world&#039;s fastest-growing working-age population and a massive untapped consumer market, Africa&#039;s solid fundamentals promise outstanding investment opportunities to pioneering private equity investors.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Morocco ratings not affected by election result, says S&amp;P]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55579</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. &quot;Our focus is on whether the new government will support macroeconomic stability and fiscal consolidation by taking medium-term policy measures and pursuing structural reforms.&quot;]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Election win a test for Egypt Islamists&#039; credibility]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55567</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Egypt&#039;s Muslim Brotherhood is on the verge of political legitimacy, but as it steps out of the shadows its credibility will be on the line.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt poll results tipped to show Islamist gains]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55554</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Egypt awaited results from its peaceful and largely orderly first post-revolution elections which are expected to show moderate Islamists dominating the country&#039;s new political landscape.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Forbes Middle East unveils ranking of Top 63 online newspapers of the Arab world]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55542</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Egypt&#039;s Al Youm Al Sabe tops ranking for second year in a row.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Sawtak helps Egyptians cast their vote]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55543</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Bright Creations Launches Sawtak (&quot;Your Voice&quot;) WAP site, iPhone , Black berry and Android Application to inform Egyptians about the parliamentary elections.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Post-Gaddafi Libya offers opportunities for investment in travel &amp; tourism]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55506</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The unstable nature of a post-revolutionary environment and high input costs for rebuilding damaged infrastructure remain high concerns, according to Euromonitor report.
.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[A majority of Egyptians intend to vote as confidence in the army weakens, finds new YouGov poll]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55508</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. A small majority agree that under the draft constitution the Army would retain too much power.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Morocco Islamists win first parliamentary polls]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55504</link>
<description><![CDATA[MOROCCO. The victory by the Justice and Development Party (PJD) comes just one month after Islamists won Tunisia&#039;s post-revolution election.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE among world&#039;s 25 Rapid Growth Markets, says Ernst &amp; Young]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55495</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. 25 Rapid Growth Markets to grow by an average of 6.2% this year and by 5.9% in 2012, compared with 1.6% growth for the Eurozone this year falling to 0.6% next year; Qatar had the highest nominal GDP in 2010 and has also been the fastest growing economy over the last decade.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arabs prepare sanctions to punish Syria]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55477</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Were the 22-nation bloc to impose serious economic sanctions, the impact would be crippling for a country already a facing a raft of punitive measures from the EU and the US.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arab youth, key drivers of Arab development and democratization]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55471</link>
<description><![CDATA[LEBANON. Issam Fares Institute-American University of Beirut and UNICEF launch new report on conditions, aspirations and activism of youth in the Middle East and North Africa.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN urges inclusive development and good governance in Arab countries]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55474</link>
<description><![CDATA[LEBANON. Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today urged countries in the Arab region to steer their economies towards sustainable development. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[British Council conference addresses women&#039;s rights in Middle East and North Africa ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55465</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Influencers and decision-makers from across the Middle East and North Africa will discuss the unprecedented opportunity to improve women&#039;s rights in the region at a 4-day conference.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Morocco is the quiet success story of the Arab Spring]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55459</link>
<description><![CDATA[MOROCCO. Under the new constitution, the King gives over responsibility as Head of State to a freely elected Prime Minister. The new constitution also strengthens rights of women and minorities and guarantees an independent judiciary.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt military asks Ganzouri to form government]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55457</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Egypt&#039;s ruling military council said elections due to start on November 28 won&#039;t be postponed and the generals will stay in power until the presidential vote in June.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt ratings lowered to &#039;B+&#039; on heightened political transition risks]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55455</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. This follows the clashes between protesters and security personnel that resulted in significant loss of life.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egyptians call for army exit amid ongoing protests]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55449</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Tear gas filled roads leading from Tahrir Square late yesterday as demonstrators called for the head of the ruling military council to quit. 
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<title><![CDATA[MEDGAZ executives discuss investment opportunities in the Algerian and European gas industry]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55442</link>
<description><![CDATA[OMAN. General Manager and Deputy General Manager of MEDGAZ highlight the future of the gas industry in a Gas Arabia Summit interview.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN rights chief deplores killing of protesters in Egypt]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55434</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. High Commissioner Navi Pillay called on Egyptian authorities to end the &quot;clearly excessive&quot; use of force against protesters.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Ericsson Middle East Media Summit brings region closer to becoming a truly &#039;Networked Society&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55430</link>
<description><![CDATA[LEBANON. Summit attended by heads of leading companies within industry from across the region; The event in Beirut follows the first NEST (Networked Society Forum) event in Hong Kong which took place earlier this month.

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<title><![CDATA[Istanbul,Cairo top Middle East cities in Ericsson Networked Society Index]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55424</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Ericsson and Arthur D. Little&#039;s latest Networked Society City Index ranks cities in terms of their ability to use ICT to benefit their citizens; Istanbul and Cairo are ranked 14th and 19th respectively amongst the world&#039;s 25 largest cities.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arab Thought Foundation conference to be held under the title: Arab Spring - What&#039;s next? ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55415</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. &quot;Our interest lies in presenting an objective comparison that aims to distinguish between the causes of the Arab Spring and its consequences, as well as in the research implications of Foreign Affairs, and the cultural and social dimensions of the Arab Spring.&quot;]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[World&#039;s first ibis budget opens in Morocco]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55413</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL.  After unveiling the global economy brand dynamization project in September, Accor opens its first ibis budget in Tangier.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt army rulers vow transition as protests build]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55407</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. After Tantawi&#039;s address, demonstrators continued to rally overnight in Tahrir Square, some erupting in chants of &quot;leave, leave.&quot; Protesters clashed with security forces early today.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt government offers to resign as violence leaves at least 24 dead ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55390</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Egyptian activists called for mass protests to be held today as fighting between security forces and demonstrators protesting military rule spurred the government to offer to quit.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN human rights experts voice alarm at deadly crackdown in Egypt]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55389</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. More than 1,700 others have been injured since Saturday in the clashes between security forces and demonstrators, according to media reports, with Cairo the focus of the violence.
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<title><![CDATA[The Atlantic Council proposes coordinated US-EU policy for the Arab awakening]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55386</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The United States and EU must leverage all possible resources to support a democratic transition that guarantees the rights of all citizens, upholds the rule of law, and enshrines basic civil liberties.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt warns protesters to be &#039;responsible&#039; ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55356</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Renewed anti-government demonstrations, after clashes with police in Cairo and Alexandria, left two people dead and hundreds injured. 
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Qaddafi&#039;s son Saif Al-Islam captured in Libya]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55354</link>
<description><![CDATA[LIBYA. Saif al-Islam, wanted by the International Criminal Court for an alleged role in killing civilian protesters, was captured near Ubari in southern Libya.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt may seek IMF loan as borrowing costs increase]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55352</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. The Egyptian government may ask the IMF for the US$3 billion loan it rejected this year, Deputy Prime Minister Hazem El Beblawi said. 

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<title><![CDATA[Thousands protest in Egypt&#039;s Tahrir against army rule]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55350</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Over 50,000 Egyptian protesters flocked to Cairo&#039;s Tahrir square on Friday to pressure the military government to transfer power to elected civilian rule, after the cabinet tried to enshrine the army&#039;s role in a constitutional proposal.
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<title><![CDATA[Misonix announces new distribution agreement for Algeria ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55348</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The SonaStar is used by Neuro and General Surgeons for quick and efficient removal of both hard and soft tumors while sparing most vessels.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East retail markets&#039; &#039;build it and they will come&#039; syndrome truly laid to rest]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55331</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Retail International releases details of &quot;The Annual Report 2011 - Q3&quot;, a  survey of the retail markets in the GCC, Levant and North Africa.  

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<title><![CDATA[Gas exporters seek &#039;high&#039; prices as they cooperate on supply]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55300</link>
<description><![CDATA[QATAR. The world&#039;s largest natural-gas exporters aim to cooperate in developing projects for production and sale of the fuel to raise prices and boost supply. 

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<title><![CDATA[Libyan oil output rises to 600,000 bpd]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55268</link>
<description><![CDATA[LIBYA. Tripoli expects to raise its oil output to 800,000 bpd before the end of 2011 and reach pre-crisis levels of 1.7 billion bpd by the end of next year.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Citadel Capital obtains approval from OPIC for US$150 million facility]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55259</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Leading private equity firm set to accelerate growth of existing platform companies and consider new opportunities.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN calls on Egypt to ensure basic rights]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55232</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. &quot;The interim authorities in Egypt must guarantee full respect for the freedom of expression, association and assembly, which are particularly crucial to ensure the free and fair conduct of the upcoming elections.&quot;]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[IAEA report on Iran set to stoke Middle East tension]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55167</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The UN nuclear watchdog is expected this week to issue its most detailed report yet on research in Iran seen as geared to developing atomic bombs.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Credit quality of EMEA infrastructure projects holds steady, new investments in the pipeline]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55140</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. While financial and political strains have dogged Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) of late, the credit quality of infrastructure projects in the region has remained relatively stable.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Iran wants Bahrain as its &#039;crown jewel,&#039; says Bahrain foreign minister]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55108</link>
<description><![CDATA[BAHRAIN. &quot;Gulf countries should not have to stand alone facing Iran, (other) Arab countries must be responsible, and Arab publics must pay attention to Iran&#039;s dangers.&quot;]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Ratings on Tunisia unaffected by election outcome, says S&amp;P]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55100</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. S&amp;P&#039;s focus is on whether the new government will support the economic recovery by taking medium-term policy measures and pursuing structural reforms while maintaining macroeconomic stability.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[ICC Prosecutor in contact with Gadhafi&#039;s son on possible surrender]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55066</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The Office of the Prosecutor has made it clear that if Saif al-Islam Gadhafi surrenders to the ICC, he has the right to be heard in court, he is innocent until proven guilty.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Sawiris seeks partners for US$2.8 billion France Telecom Swiss unit takeover]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55053</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Sawiris declined to name the financial funds he&#039;s in discussions with. He said he had no plans to sell or swap his stake in Mobinil, his Egyptian joint venture with France Telecom. 

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<title><![CDATA[Where do the IOCs fit into the North African gas industry? ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55037</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The East Mediterranean and North African Gas Forum will be held in Rome, 27 - 29 February 2012. 
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai Exports forges trade ties with Maroc Export to bolster exports between the UAE and Morocco]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55036</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Investment in Morocco offers huge opportunities to the UAE such as access to European markets, skilled low-cost labour force, and stable macro economy.]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Gaddafi son wants to surrender to ICC, says NTC]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55025</link>
<description><![CDATA[LIBYA. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who once vowed to die fighting on Libyan soil, now wants to face international justice instead and avoid any chance of meeting the same grisly end as his father.]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Analysis: Tunisia tests democratic Islamism ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55016</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Analyst Kamran Bokhari examines the challenges Islamist movement Ennahda faces after its victory in Tunisia&#039;s first elections since the &quot;Arab Spring.&quot; ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Libya and Iraq: The Price of Success]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55006</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The universal congratulations on the death of Moammar Gadhafi are as ominous as all victory celebrations are, because they ignore the critical question: Now what?

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<title><![CDATA[IMF Regional Economic Outlook: Unprecedented change holds the promise of a more prosperous future for MENA]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55008</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Real GDP growth of oil exporters to pick up in 2011 to almost 5%, then moderate to about 4% in 2012; GCC GDP growth projected at more than 7% in 2011; Possible sharp downturn in global activity and further political unrest in the region are the main threats facing the region.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Arab Spring highlights rejection of corruption, says UN anti-crime chief]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=55003</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Corruption is a serious impediment to reducing poverty and achieving development goals, Yury Fedotov, the head of the United Nations agency anti-crime agency, said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UN chief congratulates Tunisians on peaceful holding of &#039;historic&#039; polls]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=1&amp;t=1&amp;id=54999</link>
<description><![CDATA[TUNISIA. It was the people of Tunisia that inspired the region earlier this year when they stood up to demand democracy and freedom, sparking a wave of popular uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East.]]></description>
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