The currency crisis in Lebanon is threatening to send the country, which is already on shaky economic ground, into complete bankruptcy. Protests have erupted, but the country’s leaders seem unwilling or unable to react.

As part of the scheme, visitors can apply for a one-year, multiple-entry visa, allowing them to spend up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia, which previously only recognized business and invitation visas. On the new Visit Saudi, website, available in English, Arabic and Chinese, a slick video promotes the country’s natural and cultural attractions, featuring foreign-looking people, including women not wearing the abaya, the full-body robe required for local women.

Morocco’s green strategy endeavours to increase threefold the income of nearly 3 million people living in rural areas. However, green investment is not without its challenges and requires more than money to realize its lofty targets.

In addition to securing its own energy supply, Egypt aims to become a major electricity exporter in the region. Small-grid connections are already in place with Libya and Jordan, and a grid connection with Sudan is under construction.

The country’s deserts, beaches, mountains and distinct cultural heritage are naturally attractive to holidaymakers and adventurers, bringing in welcome revenue. But according to those in the industry, inflows should be carefully managed in order to guard against the negative effects of tourism, some of which have already impacted neighbourhoods around popular cities like Marrakech.

The floods were the worst to hit the country in 50 years. Yet while the costs as well as the criticism of the government’s response to the disaster mounted, the benefits were also discussed. Iran has suffered from declining rainfall since the 1990s and severe droughts in the last few years.

Egyptians living in poverty had risen to 30.2 per cent compared to 27.8 per cent in 2015. And the poverty line used in the report was set at 800 EGP per month, which is significantly lower than the World Bank’s 950 EGP per month. The poverty rate in 2015 had itself increased since 2011, when poverty stood at 25.2 per cent

In the run-up to the elections, the economy became the electorate’s most pressing issue. It speaks volumes that the economy beat out of the top spot the government’s woeful human rights record, Erdogan’s clam-tight grip on power, the country’s involvement in the war in Syria and Ankara’s struggling geopolitical stance.

Algeria currently produces 98 per cent of its electricity using natural gas. Experts affirm that the solar energy available in the Sahara will shape the future development of Algeria’s energy sector. The Algerian authorities are also moving toward supporting projects to produce different types of renewable energy. This is because such projects contribute to local electricity supply as well as to generating wealth and creating job opportunities.

The first major move to attract FDI was made on May 20, 2018, when the UAE Council of Ministers granted foreigners the right to own 100 percent of their companies. Foreign investors and professionals with expertise in certain fields were also made eligible for a 10-year residence permit.