September 12, 2000 - 91th. Issue -


AN UNUSUAL AUGUST
By Arezki Daoud

Traditionally, August is a quiet month. Its stillness compares with the month of Ramadan when all activities, excluding the food retail sector, slow down dramatically. But August 2000 will be remembered as one of the most interesting summer months in Maghreb's recent history.

A couple of important events have taken Maghreb citizens by surprise this past August. In Algeria, there was the sudden but expected resignation of Prime Minister Benbitour. While in Morocco, the discovery of oil reserves in Talssinnt prompted a government reshuffle and the promise of a change for the better.

These events will have repercussions on the lives of many North Africans and certainly on the economies of Algeria and Morocco.

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Government

MOROCCO'S DOWNSIZED GOVERNMENT
The wish of many Moroccans to see a reduced government cabinet has finally came true. Speculations over a major cabinet reshuffle began exactly a year ago when it became evident that the government was handicapped by its size and Youssoufi's difficulties to manage so many
ministers from so many political parties.

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Algeria
GOVERNMENT AND TRADE UNION SEEK WAYS TO AVOID MAJOR LABOR UNREST

15% to 30% Wage Increases expected this Fall

The Algerian government and the nation's largest trade union are expected to meet during the second half of this month (September) to find ways to stop the looming labor unrest predicted by analysts during
the upcoming autumn season.

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Moroccan Economy
Industrial Production Posts Mixed Performance In 2Q00

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Algeria - Energy
A NEW GAS PIPELINE MAY LINK ALGERIA TO EUROPE
Algerian and Spanish gas executives representing respectively Sonatrach and Cepsa have set up a joint company that will be responsible for carrying out a feasibility study for a new gas pipeline linking Algeria with Europe via Spain. While Algeria has already two such pipelines in place, this third is expected to link the two countries directly as opposed to the ones crossing the Tunisian territory to Italy and the Moroccan territory to Spain.

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Algeria - Emerging Sectors
OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING, A MARKET NICHE FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR
The sector of professional and occupational training is an interesting case of privatization. Within the entire education system, this segment is the only one where the private sector is allowed to operate and compete.

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Stock Markets
Review of Week Ended Sept. 8

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JUNE 2000