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EU Launches its External Investment Plan in Morocco

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, May 13, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, May 13, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
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EU Launches its External Investment Plan in Morocco

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, May 13, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, May 13, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

The European Union and Morocco have launched the EU External Investment Plan (EIP) in the country to create a better business environment and foster economic development.

“The European Union is strongly committed to supporting Morocco in building a sound, inclusive and sustainable economy,” the European Commission said in a statement.

“Launched in September 2017 to help boost investment in partner countries in Africa and the European Neighborhood, the EIP will now encourage investments promoting an inclusive growth, job creation and sustainable development also in Morocco,” the EU said.

EIP “will help leverage significant private funds into key sectors of Morocco's economy. The plan will in turn empower local entrepreneurs and create jobs in the country. This new and innovative approach will also help carry out big sustainable development projects,” said Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations and European Neighborhood Policy Johannes Hahn.

The Plan will build on three pillars, the first of which is the new European Fund for Sustainable Development. Around “€4.1 billion in grants will be made available to support sustainable development in countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the European Neighborhood, as well as allowing public and private operators to leverage each other's strengths.”

The second pillar is technical assistance. “This will help improve the quality of projects and mobilize investment from financial institutions, public institutions and private investors.”

Lastly, additional assistance “will be given to public authorities to foster a more favorable overall business environment through better policy making and legislation, in dialogue with the private sector.”

“Overall, about €44 billion are expected to be mobilized under the EIP from 2017 until 2020 for Africa and the European Neighborhood,” according to the European Commission.

The package was announced at a conference on Tuesday, in the presence of Michael Köhler, European Commission Director for Neighborhood South, and Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance Mohamed Boussaid.

The conference brought together national authorities, private sector companies, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and other stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities and ways to overcome remaining barriers in accessing funds.

The Commission said that between 2014 and 2017, the EU has allocated €807 million in bilateral assistance to Morocco. EU support focuses mainly on equitable access to social services, democratic governance, the rule of law and mobility, as well as employability and sustainable and inclusive growth. Complementary support for capacity development and civil society is also provided.

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Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports

Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports
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Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports

Mawani Signs 3 MoUs with Global Shipping Lines to Support Saudi Exports

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) signed on Tuesday three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with major international shipping lines: MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM.

The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the Made in Saudi Expo 2025 and in partnership with the Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports).

The memoranda aim to support national exports and Saudi exporters by boosting access to global markets through an integrated logistics services ecosystem that connects the Kingdom’s ports with international destinations via leading global shipping lines.

The initiative provides exporters with broader opportunities for expansion and growth, while reinforcing international confidence in the quality of Saudi products by ensuring fast, efficient, and reliable delivery.

The MoUs establish a strategic framework for cooperation among the signatories to deliver innovative and integrated logistics solutions, facilitate the export of Saudi products, and boost the availability of empty containers at the Kingdom’s ports to ensure sufficient inventory levels that meet exporters’ needs.

They aim to expand joint initiatives that contribute to increasing Saudi exports in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This includes organizing workshops, conferences, and exhibitions to raise awareness, bolster exporters’ capabilities, measure satisfaction with logistics services, and promote national exports globally.

The MoUs seek to improve Saudi exporters’ access to new markets by providing advanced and efficient logistics solutions through Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, and Jubail Commercial Port, alongside efforts to further automate port operations.

Business

Saudi Arabia, Syria Discuss Industrial Investment Partnerships

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Syria Discuss Industrial Investment Partnerships

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef during Tuesday's meeting. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef held talks in Riyadh on Tuesday with Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nedal Al-Shaar on ways to strengthen economic relations and develop industrial investment partnerships between their countries.

Alkhorayef praised Syria’s participation as Guest of Honor in the third edition of the Made in Saudi Expo, noting that this reflects the depth of fraternal relations and the shared economic ties between the two countries.

The officials discussed aspects of industrial cooperation and the opportunities for Syria to benefit from the Kingdom’s expertise and successful experience in developing its industrial sector.

They addressed prominent export opportunities that can support trade growth, strengthen industrial and economic integration between Saudi Arabia and Syria, and advance their developmental goals and shared interests.

Separately, Alkhorayef revealed that the Kingdom’s non-oil exports reached SAR307 billion in the first half of this year, marking the highest semiannual growth on record. 

He made the announcement during his participation in a dialogue session with Al-Shaar on the sidelines of the Made in Saudi Expo 2025. 

Alkhorayef explained that Saudi Vision 2030, through its initiatives, has driven record performance and sustained growth in non-oil exports over the past few years by unlocking national industrial capabilities, boosting the quality of Saudi products, and expanding their access to global markets. 

He highlighted opportunities for cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Syria in developing industrial cities, enabling Damascus to benefit from the Kingdom’s successful experience in export development and local content support, thereby contributing to its economic growth. 

Alkhorayef underlined the level of efficiency, skill, and craftsmanship demonstrated by Syrian investors in the Kingdom’s industrial sector, hoping that the industrial sector would become a key pillar of Syria’s economic advancement. 

He also addressed trade development between the two countries, noting that Saudi non-oil exports to Syria totaled SAR1.2 billion in the first nine months of 2025. 

Business

Saudi Inflation Slows to Nine-Month Low in November

 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 
 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 
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Saudi Inflation Slows to Nine-Month Low in November

 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 
 People enjoy sitting outdoors as the summer heat eases in Riyadh (AFP). 

Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate slowed to 1.9 percent in November 2025, its lowest level in nine months, down from 2.2 percent in October, driven by easing housing costs and lower prices for food and beverages.

On a monthly basis, inflation remained broadly stable, edging up 0.1 percent compared with October.

According to data released on Monday by the Saudi General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category rose 4.3 percent year on year in November, down from 4.5 percent in October. Within that category, actual housing rents increased 5.4 percent, slowing from 5.7 percent a month earlier.

Prices in the food and beverages category rose 1.3 percent, reflecting a 1.6 percent increase in the prices of fresh, chilled and frozen meat. The transport category climbed 1.5 percent, driven by a 6.4 percent rise in passenger transport services.

The personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services category recorded the largest annual increase, up 6.6 percent, supported by a 19.9 percent surge in prices of other personal products, influenced by a 21.6 percent rise in jewelry and watch prices.

Prices for insurance and financial services increased 5.1 percent, led by an 8.4 percent rise in insurance costs. The recreation, sports and culture category rose 1.3 percent, reflecting a 2.1 percent increase in holiday package prices.

In contrast, prices for furniture, household equipment and routine household maintenance declined 0.3 percent. The restaurants and accommodation services category also fell 0.5 percent, as accommodation service prices decreased 2.3 percent.

GASTAT noted that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures changes in prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of 582 items, while the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) tracks price movements of goods at the pre-retail stage for a fixed basket of 343 items.