October 15, 2013

Shutdown to Stepdown: Which Countries Are We Talking About?

Tunisia and the U.S. Share Common Ground: Dissatisfied Citizens

Source: Huffington Post by Mehrunisa Qayyum

Millions of citizens feel disappointed in their government. In the U.S., a government shutdown continues to punish its citizens and local DC businesses. Conversely, Tunisians force their government to step down as ruling party efforts frustrate the majority of citizens and their small businesses.

Economic Priority Is a Shared Challenge

Regardless of where Tunisians stood on the spectrum to support Ennahda, both sides of the spectrum still listed economics among top priorities. Religious politics did not divide Tunisians on the top priorities facing their country. For example, 79 percent of those confident in Ennahda believed that Ennahda was ‘Not effective’ while 74 percent of those who were not confident in Ennahda, believed that Ennahda was also “Not effective’. [Click here to continue.]

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October 9, 2013

IMF & World Bank Convene This Week: #YouthDialog Inserted Somewhere

From October 11-13th in Washington, DC:  The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank convene for their annual meetings–meaning their respective Boards of Governors decide monetary policy and approve of resolutions.  These meetings also provide a forum for private sector, government delegates, and senior IMF and World Bank officials to talk shop, or “dialogue”, with one another.  We are not clear which private sector representatives are attending from the MENA region.  On a sidenote, these annual meetings have been held twice in MENA countries: Dubai in 2009, and in Istanbul in 2012.

IMF Lowers Growth Projection in Emerging Market Countries: Some MENA Countries Fall into That Subset

The IMF lowered growth projections for emerging market countries, which include a handful of MENA countries (Turkey and UAE).  Aside from emerging market countries, the IMF stresses that the ‘Arab Countries in Transition’ (Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya–dare we say Syria) must control deficit, debt to deliver inclusive growth.  This echoes what was stated in the Spring 2013 meetings.   Here is the video discussion:

The Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) aggregate GDP growth will brake to 2.1% in 2013 from 4.6% the year before due to subdued oil output and uncertainties arising from prolonged political transitions, the IMF said in its October World Economic Outlook.

Impact: Why is the youth being hit particularly hard by unemployment?

Wednesday, October 9 at 4pm-5pm: Yemen’s Rafat Al-Akhali, Chairman of the nonprofit Resonate! will speak about youth inclusion with Nemat Shafik, IMF’s Deputy Managing Director on the panel “Youth Dialogue: Innovation in Job Creation from and for the Youth“.  They will give their views on why the youth is being hit particularly hard by unemployment.  HOPEFULLY they will address how to fix skills mismatch problem in their remarks here.

Here are the highlights on #YouthDialog:

  1. Nemat Shafik, IMF: We need to make labor markets and institutions youth friendly to avoid a jobless generation.
  2. ~the linkage of job markets and educational institutions is a key for future curbing of unemployment.
  3. ~Rather than picking winning sectors in economy, better to create winning economic systems. via @bassemsabry (What would those systems be…and are we discounting the power of the IT sector boosting India, and possibly Lebanon?)
  4. ~ “Job market today gives more space for very top jobs, low level service jobs, less space for mid levels.”
  5. Rafat Al-Akhali, Reasonate!: it’s the job of the government, private sector, education sector to meet youth employment needs in
  6. ~ educating youth on entrepreneurship to address

The Hudson Institute: Markets, Civil Society, and Democratic Change in the Middle East

Policy, International Development, and Economics: Some Myths of Market Economy

There are some myths behind market economies–like if there’s private enterprise, then a market must exist.  Last Wednesday at the Hudson Institute, we attended a two-part panel that covered the entrepreneurship and economic side of the post Arab transition countries struggle within civil society and among its youth.  Abdel Wahab Al Kebsi, from the US quasi governmental organization, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and Isobel Coleman offered their take on how markets, civil society, and democratic change has played out in the Middle East.  Al Kebsi and Coleman focused a great deal on the markets of Egypt and Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Both Al Kebsi and Coleman agreed that MENA countries should aim for “Youth-Driven Economic Growth”.  This would be partly achieved from reforming what skills and methods are used in the classroom–which has also been recommended by Marwan Muasher, former Deputy Prime Minister of Reform and Government Performance (now at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace).  Apart from arguing that MENA countries’ school curricula need to be reformed, Al Kebsi shared the “Three Myths of Market Economy”, which are the following:

  1. Presence of private enterprise means market must exist because
  2. Business is a monolithic community
  3. Government hinders market economic reform

We mainly agree with points 1 and 2 because of his observations regarding the lackluster individual economic freedom and low level of associations.  But we are not completely convinced of the third myth: “Government hinders market economic reform”.

Alkebsi argues that the presence of private enterprise does NOT mean markets must exist because labor union still need to be formed as they play a key role.  Also, rule of law must be in play to give confidence to the citizen/property-holder.  According to IMF data from 2011: 92 percent of Egyptians hold property without legal title.  Economist Hernando de Soto is a big proponent of property rights and the fundamental, if not causal role, it plays in expanding the formal market economy.

For example, many MENA countries represent heavy public sector employment–meaning that Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia all have more of its citizens employed by the government rather than by the private sector.  Regarding associations, we have seen the power of labor unions in Tunisia, and the many labor strikes in Egypt, which organized prior to the Hosni Mubarak’s ouster.  Nonetheless, we do not see how strong unions and other types of associations have a pronounced role in holding their governments accountable in countries like Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Algeria.

The second panel focused more on the civil society and political actors in the MENA region with remarks by Sam Tadros (Hudson Institute), Tamara Coffman-Wittes (Brookings Institute), Carl Gershman (National Endowment for Democracy), and Ihsan Yilmaz (Fatih University in Istanbul, Turkey).  DC Blogger on foreign policy, Tank Thoughts, covered this panel in sound detail.

Both panels were moderated by former Pakistani ambassador to the U.S., Husain Haqanni, who is now a Senior Fellow and Director for South & Central Programs, Hudson Institute. Haqanni is a well-connected “power-broker” as reported by the New York Times after he resigned from his post earlier this year.

 

 

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October 7, 2013

PITAPOLICY Proud to Co-Sponsor Al Mubadarah’s #MENASocialGood Summit

Washington, DC~PITAPOLICY Consulting & Blog is PROUD to co-sponsor Al Mubadarah’s #MENASocialGood Summit.  Al Mubadarah stands for the Arab Empowerment Initiative.  AND, as you may know, PITAPOLICY has supported Al Mubadarah as its Creative Partner since June 2012.   So we are excited to support the Thursday, November 7th all-day conversation organized by Al Mubadarah on the role of Technology for Social Good in the Arab World!  The conversation will connect the dots between technology, knowledge transfer, and philanthropy to advance social and economic development in the Arab World, specifically, and relate to the larger MENA region’s experience.

On November 7th, Al Mubadarah will live-stream event from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC from 10 am – 4 pm.  As we approach November 7th, join in on the online conversation using #ArabDev or #MENASocialGood.

Registration details here.

In partnership with the +SocialGood initiative headed by the UN Foundation, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Case Foundation & Mashable, we proudly announce the inaugural MENA+SocialGood Summit: An interactive global exploration on nexus between technology, Diasporas and social good in the Arab World.

Often when we hear about the Middle East and North Africa (‘MENA’), news is dominated by talk of political and social turbulence which may push corporations, institutions and individuals away from considering investment and engagement.

The Arab world is home to more than 350 million people with a diaspora 14 million of which 5.8 million reside in Arab countries. According to World Bank, in 2009 Arab countries received a total of 35.1 billion USD in remittance in-flows. According to Christopher Schroeder in “Startup Rising: The Entrepreneurial Revolution Remaking the Middle East”: “While the Middle East lags other regions in Internet penetration, the number of Internet users in Arab countries has been growing faster (23% annually versus a global 14%), and the total is expected to exceed 140 million next year. Those who are online tell a remarkable story of change over the past five years, with clear ramifications for the future. Eighty-three percent use the Internet daily, and half of those for at least five hours a day. Notably, 78% said they prefer the Internet to television, and 44% say they spend less time meeting friends face-to-face than online or on their mobile devices.”

Innovation and entrepreneurship has opened doors to partnerships and positive engagement in MENA in the past years. Social media is playing a large role in mobilizing people to aid in development in MENA in areas of crowd funding, volunteerism and social engagement.

MENA+SocialGood is dedicated to exploring this nexus and identifying how technology can enable engagement to catalyze positive impact in MENA. The inaugural Summit will be a gathering of social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, technology developers, NGOs, Governments, thought leaders, and others vested in this space. This global conversation aims to spark collaborations, foster innovation, and promote partnerships and constructive conversations that develop far beyond the Summit itself.

+SocialGood unites a global community of innovators around a shared vision: The power of technology and new media to make the world a better place. This is a community of connectors, bringing together ideas and action in our social media era. The +SocialGood engagement platform provides a space for a truly global conversation to take shape—a place where connectors can collaborate, share best practices, influence local and global agendas, and find new ways to translate their vision into action. As such, Al-Mubadarah will be hosting an event in Washington, DC that integrates diverse partners and global communities using web based technologies for conversations about social and economic development in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA).

Expanding #MENASOCIALGOOD Conversation NEEDS More Bloggers

A few weeks ago, Mashable partnered with the United Nations to hold a conversation on what defines social good and how more can get involved.  Al Mubadarah launched its conference website because the global conversation was a great start…but the Arab world participation was not as high as one might expect given that there are 22 Arab countries.  Also, as PITAPOLICY followed the conversation over social media, there were many responses from Pakistan (perhaps because Malala Yusufzai was a keynote speaker) and Turkey, but very little from Iran.

Why Less Participation by MENA at #SocialGood Summit? “Freedom on the Net 2013” 

Why was there less participation by MENA bloggers at the #SocialGood Summit in New York, which was from September 22-24?  Many reasons may explain this less than expected online participation from the MENA region.  One reason, for example, relates to online participation from MENA based bloggers.  MENA-based bloggers positively influence which messages resonate from the New York summit and echo back into countries like Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon.  So how do certain MENA countries fare in allowing their citizens, bloggers, and NGOs to access the internet, view live-streamed events, respond to online content, and  share information from conferences that are super plugged into social networks?

On Wednesday, October 2nd, the Washington, DC-based Freedom House released its “Freedom on the Net 2013” report at Google’s office. Regarding ‘Net Freedom’ Freedom House included the following MENA countries within its 60 country rankings this year:

  • ‘Partly Free’: (27) (29) (31) (32) (33) (38) (45)
  • ‘Not Free’: Sudan (48) (49) (51) (52) (53) (57) (60)
  • Overall, not a single MENA country scored in the ‘Free’ category of “Net Freedom”, or internet freedom.  This negatively impacts not only the media sector within MENA countries, but how much information is viewed and shared amongst regular internet users: businesses, citizens, and civil society organizations.

Analysis

Here were some observations we noted:

  • ranked “Not Free” — How can Bahraini activists gain access to how other activists push back on government policies when their country limits their access to live-streamed events?
  • was the most dangerous place for online reporters: about 20 killed over the past year.
  • ‘s internet, in terms of infrastructure, is one of the best in region & affordable. The problem is an oppressive regime, according to Dalia Haj-Omar, a Sudanese activist.
  • intensified efforts over past yr: 111 licensed websites blocked. They scored 46 out of 100 points.
  • Governments have diverse toolbox to – “blocking content, paid trolls, arrests, intimidation, and surveillance” which one of the panelists explained using Pakistan as an example. (We have noted the irony of an American panelist highlighting government online surveillance programs that other countries use on its own citizens.)
  •   was among the 16 countries on experiencing a POSITIVE trajectory, according to the the report.
  • Although the Ennahda Party stepped down due to economic & political problems, score increased because of government efforts to open up Tunisia’s online sphere.

Expanding #MENASOCIALGOOD Conversation NEEDS More Bloggers.  So tweet @arabempowerment if you are interested in registering, live-blogging or tweeting to share with your Arab Development community, or holding a meet-up in your city.  These are the reasons PITAPOLICY has chosen to sponsor.  So let’s start conversing about how we can learn from other models of technology and communication converging to maximize the social good in your communities!

 

Technology:

Growth of Technology for Social Good

  • How technology can mobilize people for social good?
  • How to utilize technology to mobilize social mobility?
  • How can MENA more effectively incubate technology and inspire innovation?
  • How online platforms can facilitate Harnessing Global Talents & develop mentorship relationships
  • How to use technology for education?
  • How to use technology to grow your business?
  • How social media is engaging youth? How can it be more constructive?

 

Knowledge Transfer & Capacity Building

  • How to build successful public-private partnerships?
  • How to use technology for capacity building and knowledge transfer
  • How technology can expand education initiatives – virtual classrooms

Innovative Philanthropy: Redefining the Donor & Online Giving

  • How to unleash philanthropy in the Arab World?
  • The importance of philanthropy to development
  • How is crowd funding growing in MENA?
  • How to cultivate and boost diaspora giving?
  • How to use social media to build strategic partnerships
  • How to fundraise online for your NGO?

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October 3, 2013

She Entrepreneurs Programme Wants Females from MENA

Greetings Pita-consumers!

Do you know of a rising female entrepreneur?  The She Entrepreneurs 2014 is now open for applications!  Founded in 2011 to harness the talent of the MENA region’s precious resource, its youth, “She Entrepreneurs” is operated by the Swedish Institute.  Program participants are those who want to establish or run social enterprises–combining the non-profit spirit with the for-profit business model.  If you are from Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank-Gaza, Yemen and Sweden and want to address social challenges, you should apply!  If you want to strive for positive social change through projects based on entrepreneurial principles, then YOU SHOULD APPLY.

During the program, the Swedish Institute will provide inspiration, knowledge and tools to help you enhance your existing project for sustainable change.  Through the program, participants are also offered the opportunity to meet leading social and business entrepreneurs as well as become a part of an active network of women social entrepreneurs that supports personal and professional development.  Apply by November 1, 2013.

Video Promo

She Entrepreneurs is a leadership programme for young emerging women social entrepreneurs in the Middle East, North Africa and Sweden. The programme aims to give the participants innovative tools for sustainable change while seeking to create an active network of women change-makers.

Who can apply to the programme?

  • You should have drive, ambition and interest to use social entrepreneurship to implement a social project that you have already started working on.
  • You are a citizen of Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Lebanon, Sweden, Syria, Tunisia, Morocco, West Bank-Gaza or Yemen.
  • Your social project should be based and implemented in your country of citizenship or in one of the countries of the She Entrepreneurs Programme listed above.
  • You are between 20 and 32 years old.
  • You should have a good working knowledge of both written and spoken English.
  • You should have basic knowledge of the internet and social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

How to apply?

Apply by filling out our She Entrepreneurs Application Form 2014 and going to our application portal. Deadline for applications is November 1, 2013. Only applicants who have submitted a complete application will be considered for the programme.

A complete application consists of:

  • A completed She Entrepreneurs Application Form 2014 in English,  including your contact details and the contact details of two reference persons.
  • An updated CV in English
  • A photo (not compulsory)

If you have any questions regarding the application form, please send and email to camilla.eriksson(a)si.se.

How do we evaluate your application?

A selection committee with staff from SI as well as representatives from partner organisations and field experts will evaluate the applications according to the following:

  • The applicant’s social project that will be the focus of the programme.
  • The applicant’s drive, motivation and commitment, as well as her answers to the questions of the She Entrepreneurs Application form 2014.
  • An assessment of the applicant’s CV.

About 60 shortlisted applicants will be called for interviews as a second step in the selection process. The interviews will be conducted through Skype.

The Swedish Institute will contact 25 selected applicants by email before the end of December 2013 and offer them a place in the She Entrepreneurs Programme. The Swedish Institute will also compose a list of reserve candidates in case a second selection round would be needed. Reserves who have been offered a place in the She Entrepreneurs programme will be notified by January 19, 2014.

Due to the large number of applications that we receive, we are unfortunately not able to send personal replies to all applicants. Hence, if you have not heard from us byJanuary 19, 2014, you have not been accepted to the She Entrepreneurs Programme. However, you are more than welcome to apply again for next year’s programme.

Important dates

  • Deadline for application: November 1, 2013
  • Skype interviews: December 9-20, 2013
  • Accepted applicants will be informed by: January 19, 2014
  • She Entrepreneurs module 1 in Sweden: March 31–April 11, 2014
  • She Entrepreneurs module 2 in the MENA region: Preliminarily October, 2014

Participant testimonial by Ayat Attallah featured on Tomorrow’s Youth blog.

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September 26, 2013

Good Migration Policies Account for Tolerance and Remittances

Greetings Pitaconsumers!  PITAPOLICY is pleased to share a guest post by Nabil Ouchagour, who collaborated with Mehrunisa Qayyum on a piece earlier this month on listening to the Arab and American streets.  Ouchagour is a Public Relations specialist and is a former Moroccan journalist who blogs about civil society and public relations on Le Huffington & Al Huffington (the Magreb version). 

Given that the United Nations has been meeting this week, Syria has already topped the agenda.  However, migration policies remain a key challenge in many of  the Mediterranean countries, extending from Morocco and Tunisia to Turkey.  Hundreds of thousands of Moroccans have emigrated to Europe in waves for employment opportunities. 

According to the International Organization for Migration, which tracks migration statistics around the world, over 3.3 million Moroccans emigrated from Morocco (a country of 32.6 million) and provide remittances back to families remaining there.  In 2011, statistics by the Office des Changes du Moroc showed that remittances into Morocco amounted to over 7 billion U.S. dollars. In a nutshell, good migration policies account for remittances and tolerance–a theme that Ouchagour explores in Morocco.

Ouchagour gives his perspective on the current demographic makeup of Morocco.  His article below was previously published in French for Le Huffington (@LeHuffPostBlog), which may be found here.  Qayyum would like to thank Mr. Ouchagour for translating into English for the PITAPOLICY Blog. We invite you to follow Nabil Ouchagour on Twitter as @NabilOuchagour.

PRESS RELEASE BY MOROCCAN PRESS AGENCY: Ban Ki-moon Welcomes Royal Initiative

Ban Ki-moon welcomes royal initiative on migration, call of Sovereign for respect of ‘migrants’ rights’

New York (United Nations), Sep 12, 2013 (MAP) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed, Thursday in New York, the guidelines of HM King Mohammed VI to the government to devise and implement a strategy and an action plan on migration.

 “As one of the first member States to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (1993), the Secretary-General welcomes the announcement by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who gave his instructions to the Moroccan government to design and implement an appropriate strategy and action plan with a view to formulating a comprehensive policy on migration”, and “its call for the rights of migrants,” the Office of the Spokesperson of the UN told MAP.

 In this regard, “the Secretary-General urges the Moroccan government to implement the recommendations of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH),” the same source said.

 The Secretary-General “expressed hope that, once implemented, these measures will improve the situation of migrants regardless of their status in Morocco,” said the UN.

 To this end, the Secretary-General “encourages the Moroccan government to work closely with the United Nations, in particular the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to ensure that all migrant access justice, protection against exploitation and violence, and their full human rights,” said the UN.

 After being submitted the report on asylum and immigration, HM King Mohammed VI instructed the government to draft a strategy and a work plan, in coordination with the CNDH and other concerned institutions, to design a comprehensive immigration policy.

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The Kingdom of Tolerance

By Nabil Ouchagour

“Morocco is an exceptional case in the region” is the phrase you hear most often from many Moroccans. Far from any chauvinism, this expression can be argued by historical and ethnographic explanations and also courageous political decisions.

The fact that Morocco wasn’t conquered by the Ottoman Empire is a major difference with its eastern neighbors. This powerful state founded by the Turkish conquered Anatolia, the Balkans, around the Black Sea, Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa except Morocco. Since one can still observe the influence of this empire on different groups that compose other Arab societies.

Another factor is the migration of ethnic groups coming from different backgrounds throughout history. Thanks to its geographical position, this land has always been a crossroad of caravans from sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and Europe. Morocco is not an exception to this new trend that started decades ago. Note how globalization trends have increased migration patterns in and around Morocco, which rose to 240 million in 2012. The historic trend of migration movements has intensified since the late 20th century, and thereby challenges countries that attract migration, including Morocco. The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) wrote that until now, “Moroccan public authorities have acted in an ad hoc manner, without a well-conceptualized and comprehensive initiative adapted to the new realities.”

The report published by CNDH highlights the new reality of this migration : “Morocco has become a land of asylum and long-term settlement for migrants. It welcomes regular immigrant workers, a relatively large number of foreign students, migrants with an irregular status, “in transit” often for years, and finally asylum seekers and refugees. To these migrations, we can add groups who have been settled in Morocco for generations (Algerians or Syrians for example, and various European nationalities) and an increase of migration as illustrated, for example, by the circular migration of an elite of highly qualified professional workers between Europe and Morocco, or by the extended stays of European pensioners, particularly French retirees.” Following the presentation of the report to King Mohammed VI, he asked the government to coordinate with CNDH and various stakeholders in order to establish a comprehensive migration policy.

I interpret this gesture as a welcome message for all migrants wishing to live in the Kingdom, and also a guarantee for the long-term stability of the country.

While other Arab countries live tensions because of struggles between different ideologies, the Moroccan monarchy plays its traditional role of unifying all the components of the Moroccan society.

This message is as strong as the reaction of the late King Mohammed V in 1940 when he responded to the Vichy regime “There are no Jews in Morocco. There are only Moroccan subjects.” This statement has become a synonym for tolerance and the peaceful coexistence of Jews and Muslims in Morocco. This is also the Moroccan exception!

 

 

 

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September 23, 2013

Will Bahrain and Iran address their financial woes before their human rights issues?

 

Country Risk analysis involves more than just financial indicators. It also includes the comfort businesses have regarding political institutions, rule of law, and a country’s human rights record.  Last week, Moody’s Investor Services downgraded Bahrain from Baa2 to Baa1 with a negative outlook for the next quarter.  Moody’s focuses on the financial and credit scores of countries as borrowers and lenders.  Will Bahrain and Iran address their financial woes before their human rights abuse issues?

Moody’s downgrades Bahrain’s government issuer rating to Baa2; outlook negative

Thursday 19, September 2013 by Robin Amlôt Source: CPI Financial

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded Bahrain’s government issuer rating by one notch to Baa2 from Baa1, and assigned a negative outlook to the rating. The rating action concludes the review for downgrade announced in June 2013.

The rating action is driven by (1) the government’s weak fiscal position, arising from a high and rising fiscal break-even oil price; and (2) the outlook for lower-trend economic growth over the medium term.

The negative rating outlook reflects the high degree of event risk,particularly regarding Bahrain’s susceptibility to domestic and regional geopolitical instability, as well as potential negative impact from an oil price shock.

At the same time, Moody’s lowered Bahrain’s country risk ceilings to A3 from A1. The long-term foreign currency bond ceiling was also lowered by one notch to A3, while the short-term foreign currency bond ceiling was affirmed at Prime-2. The long-term foreign currency deposit ceiling was lowered to Baa2 from Baa1, while the short-term foreign-currency depositceiling was affirmed at Prime-2.

The offshore banking centre’s long-term foreign-currency bond and bank deposit ceilings were lowered by one notch to A2 from A1, while the short-term ceilings were affirmed at Prime-1.

RATINGS RATIONALE

–RATIONALE FOR DOWNGRADE

The first driver underlying Moody’s decision to downgrade Bahrain’s sovereign rating is the country’s weak fiscal position. The IMF estimates… [Click here to continue.]

Iran to invest over $1 bln in aluminum sector

Iran plans to invest around $1.2 billion in its aluminum industry as part of plans to nearly quadruple production by 2025, an official at mining group Imidro said on Thursday.

Iran is the 20th largest producer of aluminum in the world, according to the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (Imidro), and needs the extra supplies to meet demand which is growing by 10 percent a year.

Aluminium is a lightweight metal used widely in transport, packaging and construction. It can also be used to make tubes for uranium enrichment gas centrifuges.

Iran’s economy has been hobbled by western sanctions aimed at pressuring Tehran to stop efforts to enrich uranium to levels that could be used in weapons.

Iran produced 338,000 tons of aluminum last year and is aiming for 770,000 tons in 2016 and 1.5 million tons by 2025, Panthea Geramishoar, senior expert in Imidro’s non-ferrous department said at a Metal Bulletin conference in Geneva.

Geramishoar did not give a timeframe for the eight projects involved in the program, but added that bidding was underway for one plant and financing was being arranged for two others.

Iran could struggle to increase production so quickly given it is heavily dependent on importing the raw ore bauxite or the refined ore alumina at a high cost. Alumina costs have been pushed up by the impact of sanctions.

According to Press TV, an Iranian news site, Iran’s aluminum output hit 119,560 tons in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year, which began on March 21.

At this rate, the country would produce 358,680 tons for 2013, just 6 percent above last year’s output level.

Challenges ahead

Geramishoar said higher prices for alumina imports have already contributed to a rise in the cost of aluminum production to over $2,000 a ton.

LME aluminum was trading at $1,827.75 per ton at 1129 GMT.

[Click here to continue.]

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September 19, 2013

Human Interest Isn’t the Same Thing as Humanitarian Interests

Yesterday, we attended two discussions that highlighted how diplomacy could either advance humanitarian goals or interests in business and trade (Iraq). (Thank you to Brookings Foreign Policy for starting to follow PITAPOLICY on Twitter!) The first discussion emphasized how diplomacy has fallen short of addressing humanitarian needs (Syria).  One observer callously referred to America’s interest in Syria as “intense flirting”–almost like a human interest story.  The second discussion included remarks by the new Iraqi ambassador to the US, Lukman Faily, and will be posted next week.

Human interest isn’t the same thing as humanitarian interests.  Americans may view the Syria crisis as a civil war interrupted with threats of chemical weapons.  To this end, unfortunately, the humanitarian aspects have been overshadowed by the humans/actors playing center-stage regarding Syria’s doomed regime.  Many Americans hesitate to lend any type financial assistance to Syrian victims.  According to Beth Ferris of Brookings Institute, “1 out of 2 Americans contributed to Haiti, but Americans find it more difficult to give money to Syria conflict victim.”

Brookings Institute Scholars Share Report on Syria’s Humanitarian Conditions (Beth Ferris, Fellow @Brookings; Salman Shaikh, Director Saban Center of Brookings; Francois Stamm, International Committee on Red Cross)

Politics & Interests & Analysis: 



How do you separate humanitarian from security goals?

According to Stamm, who leads at the International Committee of the Red Cross:

  • “22 Syrian Arab Red Crescent staff have been killed while carrying out their duties.”
  • ICRC is also assisting to provide clean water in #Syria and so far its distribution hasn’t been politicized”.
  • “We took for granted that you do not shoot on ambulances… but regretfully this is not the case.”
  • 2 million refugees may be the lucky ones–compared to Internally Displaced Persons and those who can’t relocate. Agriculture, education, water all disrupted in #Syria
  • Opposition has yet to provide guarantees & access w/in #Syria. Explosion in number of deaths from chronic disease.

Ferris said that the number of physicians in Aleppo dropped from 2,000 to 35.  Aside from health crisis, “education has been dramatically affected. 20% of schools r not functioning,” to which we add: the statics doesn’t include those schools that have been bombed.

According to Shaikh:

  • Renting apartments and homes in Lebanon is more expensive because of the influx: Rents have increased by 200, 300, 400% in Beirut as Syrian #refugees flee Syria.
  •     thanks for helping avert “savage attack,” says Moscow creating “new global balance”.

Why the hesitancy to provide humanitarian aid in Syria? & How do u present & provide assistance to refugees w/o creating discontent among hosting communities, like Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey?

  • 1 out of 2 Americans contributed to Haiti but Americans find it more difficult to give money to Syria conflict victims, according to Ferris.
  • There are defacto areas (safe zones) but we need humanitarian corridors, nonetheless, “Obama needs to do a much better job of having a conversation with the people” referring to Obama’s address to Americans on Syria on September 12–the first time since the conflict began 30 months.
  • Shaikh praised many Gulf Cooperation Council countries on humanitarian front, but notes how this contributed to fragmentation & sectarianism
.

“Evil does not have a particular convenient timing,” stated Shaikh, who implored BRICS nations (Brazil,Turkey, India, and South Africa) to step up to the plate to 1) exert pressure on Russia and China to stop holding up UN Security Council resolutions, and 2) commit financial resources and share in the burden of the humanitarian and refugee crises resulting from the Assad regime crumbling in Syria. Shaikh adds, ” The international community is responsible to give space for Syrians to reach consensus.”

Next week, Brookings Institute will hold a discussion on how Diaspora communities are dealing with the Syrian crisis and humanitarian challenges.  If you’re in Washington, DC, register here.

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September 16, 2013

PITAPOLICY is Small Business Sponsor for DC Palestine Film & Arts Festival #DCPFAF

dcpfaf draft9BWashington, DC~PITAPOLICY Consulting & Blog is pleased to be among the small business sponsors for the 3rd Annual DC Palestine Film & Arts Festival from September 28th to October 5th, 2013.   As a result of the incredible support DCPFAF has received this year, they are thrilled to announce that reduced ticket prices ranging from $6-$8 and festival passes from $30-$45.  At the door, tickets will be sold at a slight premium ($7-$10).  Better to save yourself the worry of selling out and purchase in advance.  Tickets are now available online for purchase.

DCPFAF has joined the larger Arab diaspora film community and continues to link with other filmmakers representing other minority communities.  Yesterday, at Howard University, we were delighted to see DCPFAF’s volunteers supporting an Arab American documentary in partnership with PBS.  Before that, we hosted a tweetup where we heard from filmmakers and artists discussing why they believe the arts captures what political campaigns do not and how film contributes to larger discussion on social and political development.

Politics, Interests, Technology & Analysis

We are especially excited since film presents an opportunity for technology, politics, and development to converge on controversial themes.  The DCPFAF has assembled a variety of other art forms to explore narratives  Also, it’s important to note: DCPFAF goes beyond the Palestinian narratives–another reason why PITAPOLICY chose to support this yearly tradition.

Some film recs for Pitapals interested in political statements and stages of development challenges in the Arab world:

  1. What does a dystopian future look like? See “Nation Estate” by Larissa Sansour shows one pov. Here’s a film clip: http://ow.ly/oSPBB 
  2. What are the social, political, and economic expectations expressed by the over-described, but underrepresented youth demographic?  See “Lyrics Revolt” by Shannon Farhoud is Canadian; Melanie Fridgant is French; Rana Al Khatib is Palestinian; and Ashlene Ramadan is Lebanese, who co-founded Torath Media Productions.  “Lyrics Revolt” showcases how hip-hop music embraces this question. Here’s a film clip: http://youtu.be/VHsjnK5DPqw
  3. Can you name any films about the Arab world that are entirely financed by Arab community?  Check out “When I Saw You” which takes place in 1967 Jordan.  The increasing number of Syrian refugee camps in Jordan add to the refugee camps from a generation before as a result of the ’67 war in Palestine.  “When I Saw You” has already won Best Asian Film at the Berlin International Film Festival, Best Arab Film in Abu Dhabi and Palestine’s 2013 Oscar Entry, Annemarie Jacir’s second feature film was entirely Arab-financed with all Palestinian producers.

DCPFAF Press Release

The eight day festival will feature several short and feature-length films, discussion with the filmmakers, an art exhibit, several receptions, and, tentatively, a dialogue between African-American and Arab-American media workers.

The Festival will kick off with an art exhibit and reception at MOCA-DC (1054 31st St., NW WDC 20007) on Saturday September 28 from 7-10 PM. The opening film, “When I Saw You,” will be shown at the Goethe Institute (812 7th St, NW WDC 20001) on Sunday September 29 at 7 PM. Winner of the Best Asian Film at the Berlin International Film Festival, Best Arab Film in Abu Dhabi and Palestine’s 2013 Oscar Entry, the film follows 11-year old Tarek who has just become a refugee in the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War. This is Director, Annemarie Jacir’s, second feature-length film. Jacir’s first, “Salt of this Sea” (2008) was an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival and also critically acclaimed.

Short films will be shown on Monday September 30 at Sankofa Cafe (2714 Georgia Ave, NW DC 20001) and Friday at the Goethe Institute. The Monday night program will include a reception and a dialogue between African-American and Arab-American film festival organizers. The dialogue aims to draw connections between identity, representation, and empowerment amongst underrepresented communities in the media.

Fida Qishta, director of “Where Should the Birds Fly?” will speak to the audience from the Gaza Strip after the film screening on Wednesday October 2, 7PM at Bloombars Café (3222 11th St. NW WDC 20010). The 58 minute documentary follows the lives of two young women in the aftermath of Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s 2008-09 offensive against the besieged Gaza Strip. The other feature-length films, “Lyrics Revolt, ” “Infiltrators,” and “When Monaliza Smiled” will all be shown at the Goethe Institute at 7pm.

The full program, along with robust film descriptions, can be found at www.dcpfaf.org.

The DCPFAF aims to highlight Palestinian subjectivity through cinema, music, and other forms of visual arts. The stories shared in this festival are not necessarily about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, nor are they necessarily stories about Palestinians, but they are stories told by Palestinians that reflect the dynamic formation of a transnational identity common to Palestinians and diasporic communities in general. Beyond that, this project aims to bring DC’s various communities closer together through art, and catalyze invigorating discussions about film and culture using the lens of Palestinian filmmakers as an entry point.

 

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September 12, 2013

Future of US-#Libya Relations Discussion at The Atlantic Council @ACMideast

Dear Pita-consumers,

Apologies for not posting yesterday like we always do on Wednesdays.  We experienced some technical difficulties that are now fixed.  We will share what we heard at the one year reflection on Libya event from Tuesday, September 10th at The Atlantic Council. Comments of the event via Twitter may be found with #BeyondBenghazi.

Dozens of events took place in Washington, DC in remembrance of the Benghazi attacks on the U.S. embassy compound in Libya…as well as hundreds of memorials to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks in 2001.  However, we chose to attend an event that focused on the expectations of Libya and Libyans co-organized by Freedom House (@FreedomHouseDC)  and the Project for Middle East Democracy (@POMEDWire) at The Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center (@ACMideast) since the attacks claimed U.S. Ambassador to Libya, John Christopher Stevens.  Ambassador Stevens was the sixth American ambassador killed in the line of duty because of a terrorist attack–and the first since 1970.

A few months ago, PITAPOLICY, LLC argued that Libya represents a “Frontier” market.  Libya Business TV reprinted the article by our PITAPOLICY Founder, Mehrunisa Qayyum.  So it was no surprise to see that the type of recommendations that emerged in Tuesday’s discussion and within an open letter to in a letter to U.S. Secretary John Kerry (

  • Signatories to letter include: Karim Mezran, Atlantic Council; Charles Dunne, Freedom House; Ellen Lust, Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale University; Rihab Elhaj, New Libya Foundation; Tamim Baiou, 4  Point Enterprises; Anne-Marie Slaughter, New America Foundation; Hafed Al Ghwell, World Bank; Aly Abouzaakouk, Citizenship Forum for Democracy & Human Development; Anas El Gomati, Sadeq Institute and several others.
  • Charles Dunne five recommendations:

             1) Support national dialogue.

             2) Pledge support for Libya’s constitution writing process.

             3) Expand technical and financial assistance for security & justice reforms.

             4) Increase diplomatic & public engagement beyond corporate elites.

             5) Encourage Libyan government to resolve contract disputes &

sign agreements with the U.S. Office for Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the U.S. Export Import.

PITAPOLICY POINTS

Managing expectations is the overall theme that the U.S. Institute for Peace emphasized.  This lesson learned came at the heals of comments by USIP’s VP of Middle East, Bill Taylor, who expressed disappointment about Egypt when contrasting the different “Arab Spring” countries’ transitions: Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Libya.

Militias, Constitution Process, and Oil Contracts appear to be the top U.S. development priorities in Libya.  Militias represent the security and law enforcement culture that determines how much foreign business may take place.  Libya’s state militias are made up of “7 shields of security”, according to former Primer Minister Mustafa Abushagour.  As Abushagour stated, “militias have no formal military training but keep the peace and are partially loyal to the government.”  Such militias were called upon by the government to keep the peace in Tripoli, which has been successful thus far.

Meanwhile, Abushagour recommended that it is in Libya’s best interest to extend the four-month constitution writing process to allow grassroots national dialogue.  Libya’s transition authority, the GNC, may use “stability” as an excuse to delay finalizing a constitution.  :The two must be delinked,” shared Manal Omar, the USIP Director of Libya, Iraq, and Iran.

Omar added that future relations must consider the future of oil as economic disparities in different regions remain.  Moreover, the level of government control on such disparities fluctuates.  Since the fall of Mummar Ghaddafi, the transitional government has increased subsidies to the Libyan people. Libya’s advantage is its oil wealth.yet, increase in increases dependency on state.

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September 8, 2013

Playing Poker in #Syria-Part 2

Earlier Sunday morning, Lebanese newspaper Al-Nahar offered this headline: “Assad charts escape to Russia via Tartus to Lebanon.  Uhhh…great if that happens before Syria strike decisions become irreversible. Before the G-20 Summit, Syria was not at the top of the agenda. Then it was– in part because of a war of words (or let’s see who will cancel meetings first) between the United States & Russia.  Then many started learning where Syria was on the map again.  Then the U.S. decided to evacuate most of its diplomats from Lebanon due to more “sectarian and unpredictable” activity. That sums up the politics…but looks take a look beyond the Politics and review the “PIDE” side of Syria: Impact, Development, and Economics…

…As for the economics of the Syria crisis — mind you, not Syria, because crisis implies that neighboring countries are “deeply affected” as well–oil pops up into the discussion, of course?!  (So who will own the conflict and related responsibilities…Turkey, Jordan, Iran…Oman–as Meir Javendafar suggests in Time magazine.) Al Jazeera America’s Massoud Hayoun reported one forecast of Syria’s economic state: “Market analysts say spillover from any military action could present a formidable risk to international oil supply.”

 

Syria ‘powder keg’ could provoke oil crisis

by Massoud Hayoun
September 4, 2013 2:00PM ET
Americans may take a hit at the gas pump in the event of a U.S. military strike against Syria, analysts say, after the country’s President Bashar Al-Assad…

On Wednesday, PITAPOLICY expressed frustration with the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations hearing on Syria.  In that time period, we had a chance to chat with some other Huffington Post bloggers, and Mehrunisa Qayyum (PITAPOLICY Founder) got some feedback from Nabil Ouchagour from Al Huffington Post – Maghreb…here are her thoughts…the rest may be read on her Huffington Post Blog.

Arab Bloggers Mirror “It’s Complicated” View
When I started blogging on The Huffington Post site on Middle East and North Africa’s political economy challenges, I committed a “punditry” error: I stopped practicing other languages, like Arabic, or trying to learn new ones, like French. Luckily, The Huffington Post community has grown so much that I can rectify some of that as I’ve had an opportunity to exchange points with Ouchagour who also blogs for Al Huffington Post (Magreb version) from Morocco… in Arabic AND French. Both of these languages operate as the conversational languages in Syria. So it may be helpful to identify common ground in these parallel conversations. Lately, we, as Americans, share more sentiments with Britain’s general population (and many Arab populations as shown below) than we do with most of our elected leaders — remember how Cameron’s Syria intervention faced defeat by his own public? Click here to continue…

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