Lebanon is finally gaining positive political and economic momentum. After a two-and-a-half-year vacancy in Baabda Palace, Michel Aoun was elected president in the fall of 2016. President Aoun appointed Saad Hariri as Prime Minister, who subsequently formed a new unity…
Egypt in 2017: Look beyond short-term volatility to capture growth
The past several months have been a whirlwind for businesses and consumers in Egypt - they encountered a new value-added-tax, extreme currency volatility, and cuts to subsidies, among other ad hoc policies from the government. Egypt is now in the…
Business in Conflict Zones: Libya Outlook
All eyes are on Libya as some positive headlines have come out of the country over the past several months. ISIS was driven out of its stronghold in Sirte in December 2016; oil production more than doubled from 300,000 barrels…
Algeria’s succession plan: The mystery that MNCs should keep on their radar
Abdelaziz Bouteflika was the man who led Algeria out of a bloody civil war and back to stability. Now, after suffering two strokes, he is a shadowy and mysterious figure hanging on to the seat of presidency. Rarely does he…
Should MNCs raise their prices in Egypt?
In a surprisingly bold move, the Central Bank of Egypt freed the pound from its peg to the US dollar and allowed the currency to free-float on November 3. Since then, the pound has depreciated more than 100% from its…
How MNCs should navigate Egypt’s changing environment
Egypt’s economy has been plagued by high inflation, a budget deficit reaching 11% of GDP, and a severe shortage of foreign currency exacerbated by falling tourism and Suez Canal revenues. Running out of time and options to save the economy,…