Informations about participant countries
EGYPT
Egypt benefits of an exceptional geographic location, right at the crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Middle-East countries. Its economic situation is stable to the extent that in spite of the global economic crisis, it will achieve about 4 % growth in 2009.
Since 2004, the Egyptian authorities proceeded with very important reforms aiming to free the market, modernize the business environment, and privatize certain state enterprises of the commercial sector. Actually, in 2008, Egypt was classified by the World Bank as one of the 10 most reforming countries.
With a population of 80 millions, Egypt represents a significant local market. The need of foreign products and technologies is large; especially, with a zone of production and re-exportation in the region.
Egypt signed free trade agreements with most of its neighbors permitting re-exportation to the Middle East countries, COMESA, and the members of the Agadir agreement (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan). In addition, the association agreement with the EU which came into effect in 2004 facilitates the European products access to the Egyptian Market.
France benefits of a good image, and the French products and technologies are known and appreciated by the Egyptians. The French entrepreneurs are also appreciated and they would be surprised to discover that Egypt counts also a lot of French-speaking people!
FRANCE
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ALGERIA
Algeria is one of the main commercial partners of France, the first one in Africa. Despite a strong foreign competition, coming mainly from Italy, China and Spain, France remains the first supplier of the Algeria with almost 17 % of market shares. The Algerian market is still very attractive, despite the appearance of some new regulations related to market access in certain sectors, or by means of the implementation of new procedures, like certificates of origin and quality that becomes mandatory or the obligation to use a letter of credit for Algerian private importers.
France also positions itself as first foreign investor in Algeria, apart from hydrocarbons sector.
LIBYA
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LEBANON
French exports to Lebanon hit a new record in 2008 raking in more than 1 billion Euros. Fuels retained the lion’s share of French exports accounting for 43% of the total amount, followed by consumer goods (20%), capital goods (15%) and semi-processed goods (12%).
Lebanon should remain a major business destination for French companies prospecting the Middle East market as Lebanon’s real GPD growth is forecast to average 4% in the next couple of years.
JORDAN
The Jordanian economy witnessed a significant improvement in 2008. Although not confirmed, the anticipated results show that the GDP growth for the upcoming 2009 will be slightly less than 4%.
This performance (GDP of 2006: +6.3%, 2007: 6.0% and 2008: 5.4%) shows that the country enjoyed a remarkable healthy economy for the last seven years. Although Jordan faces shortage in natural resources, it has achieved this exceptional result in spite of the political and security problems affecting the other neighboring countries.
Jordan is an open market (customs tariffs do not exceed 30%, except for some cases). It applies all its commitments taken in the framework of multilateral trade negotiations and free trade agreements signed with its main partners including the United States and the European Union. It is also worth mentioning that Jordan is a member of the Mediterranean Union Process.
MOROCCO
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SYRIA
Since 2004, Syrian growth has been favourably directed. The IMF considers that Syria has pursued its ascending curve in 2008 (+5.2%) after a growth of +4.2% in 2007 and noticed that she will continue on this way with a forecast of growth of 5.2 % for 2009. Syrian economy is supported by the domestic demand, the exportation of non oil products and the domestic investment. The observed growth is mainly the consequence of the gradually but spectacular liberalization of the Syrian economy because of structural reforms which has been led since 2003, and has allowed to implement the basis of a market economy and the confidence of foreign partners. We noticed also that Syria is actively involved in the UPM process.
TUNISIA
Tunisia is the first Southern Mediterranean country to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union. Its strong political and social stability as well as economic achievements make it one of the most developed countries in Africa and the Mediterranean region. Although the global financial crisis has affected the real economy, Tunisian economic growth is expected to reach about 3% in 2009, according to the latest estimates.
TURKEY
Being the 16th world economy with one of the most important growth rate of the OECD countries on the 2002 / 2008 period, Turkey – despite having been seriously hurt by the world crisis - remains a market with a very high potential, located at only 3 hours flight from Paris. Ranking at the 5th position among the customers of France outside the European Union (before Japan) in 2008, this major emerging country (GDP 2008: 742 billion USD / 72 million inhabitants) has a large and diversified industrial base, a solid banking system and a business environment rapidly matching the European practices.