Latest news with #CEOWORLD
Morocco World
19-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Ranks 4th Globally for Schengen Visa Applications in 2024
Doha – Morocco has secured the fourth position worldwide for Schengen visa applications in 2024. The North African country follows only China, India, and Turkey in the global ranking, according to recent data. SchengenVisaInfo reveals that 11,716,723 Schengen visa applications were submitted to EU countries in 2024. This represents a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year. Despite this growth, numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels of nearly 17 million in 2019. Moroccans now outrank Russians, who were once the largest group of Schengen visa applicants. Several factors explain this slow recovery, including persistent restrictions for certain nationals and higher rejection rates that discourage potential applicants. France remains the top destination for Schengen visa seekers, receiving over a quarter of all applications worldwide. Moroccans constitute the second-largest group of applicants for France, after Algerians, with 282,153 applications in 2024. Spain has overtaken Germany as the second most popular Schengen destination, with 1.6 million applications. Meanwhile, Germany has dropped to third place with 1.5 million applications in 2024. The rejection rate for Schengen visas decreased to 14.8% in 2024, down from 16% in 2023 and the all-time high of 17.9% in 2022. Among the countries with the highest number of rejected applications in 2024 are France (481,139), Spain (244,432), and Germany (206,733). Read also: Schengen Visas and the Neocolonial Violation of Moroccans' Right to Travel Morocco currently ranks 67th globally in passport strength, according to CEOWORLD magazine's Passport Ranking Index. Moroccan citizens enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 72 countries and territories worldwide. A study from SchengenVisaInfo compiled by Schengen News in August 2024 identified the top five Schengen countries with the highest approval rates for Moroccan applicants. Switzerland led with an 83.9% approval rate, followed by Poland (83.1%), France (81.3%), Portugal (80.05%), and Czechia (75.60%). The black market for visa appointments has become a serious issue for Moroccan applicants. Intermediaries have been exploiting online appointment systems, using advanced software to book and resell appointments at prices reaching up to MAD 10,000 (approximately $1000). Visa service providers have implemented new systems to combat these fraudulent practices. TLScontact has expanded its automated visa appointment allocation system across Morocco for France visas, while BLS International has introduced strict measures to ensure fair and transparent appointments for Spain visas. Tags: Schengen visa applicationschengen visa for Moroccansschengen visas
Qatar Tribune
18-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar ranks first in the Arab world and 8th globally in 2025 Quality of Life Index
Tribune News Network Doha The State of Qatar has ranked first in the Arab world and eighth globally in the 2025 Quality of Life Index, as published by American magazine CEOWORLD. Qatar earned a score of 96.66 points, placing it ahead of the US, which ranked ninth globally. The Principality of Monaco secured the top global position with a score of 98 points. Liechtenstein and Luxembourg secured the second and third positions respectively. Ireland is ranked fourth, followed by Switzerland in fifth, Norway in sixth, and Singapore in seventh. Burundi is placed last, behind Madagascar, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Sierra Leone. At the regional level, the UAE ranked second in the Arab world and 26th globally, while Saudi Arabia came in third among Arab countries and 40th worldwide. The rankings are based on the perceptions of more than 258,000 people worldwide who were asked to evaluate 199 nations based on ten metrics ranging from stability to transparency to equality. The rankings measure global perceptions of nations that contribute most to the world's GDP.
Iraqi News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq ranks as 4th largest Arab economy
Baghdad ( – Iraq has solidified its position as a major economic contributor in the Arab world, ranking as the fourth largest Arab economy (51st globally) for 2025, according to a recent CEOWORLD magazine report. Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Hanoun highlighted this as evidence of Iraq's growing regional and international economic influence. This growing stature is supported by a significant surge in trade. In the first half of 2024, Iraq's trade volume with 11 regional countries reached $65 billion, a 10% year-on-year increase. Bilateral trade with nations like Saudi Arabia (reaching $1.3 billion in 2024) and Jordan (exceeding $1 billion after a 45.6% rise) has seen substantial growth, while UAE exports to Iraq hit $22 billion in 2024. Further bolstering its economic role, Iraq is advancing the $17 billion Development Road project, aiming to become a key regional transport hub. The government is actively pursuing economic diversification to reduce oil dependency, strengthening commercial ties, and has even proposed an Arab council of trade ministers to enhance regional integration. These initiatives underscore Iraq's commitment to contributing significantly to Arab economic development.
Shafaq News
12-05-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Women's ranking: Iraq 123rd globally, 11th in Arab world
Shafaq News/ Iraq ranked 123rd out of 156 countries and 11th among Arab nations in the 2025 list of the world's best countries for women, according to a new report by CEOWORLD magazine. The country scored 68.73 out of 100, falling behind most of its regional peers. Saudi Arabia led the Arab rankings, followed by Oman, Jordan, the UAE, Algeria, Sudan, and Qatar. Kuwait came in 8th, Lebanon 9th, Libya 10th, Iraq 11th, Egypt 12th, Tunisia 13th, and Bahrain 14th. Globally, the Netherlands topped the list with a score of 99.7, followed by Norway (99.4), Sweden (99.2), and Denmark (97.8). Eight of the top ten countries are in Europe, including Finland (5th), Switzerland (7th), France (9th), and Germany (10th). Canada (6th) and New Zealand (8th) also made the top ten. At the bottom of the list were the Central African Republic and Somalia. CEOWORLD evaluated countries based on nine criteria, including women's empowerment, gender equality, representation in legislatures, safety perceptions, income parity, human rights protections, education, employment, and overall inclusion in society.
Shafaq News
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Women: Fighting for rights in a patriarchal stronghold
Shafaq News/ As the world marks International Women's Day, Iraqi women continue to achieve milestones over the past two decades, but challenges persist in realizing full rights due to legal, social, and political obstacles. Despite these achievements, a deeply entrenched patriarchal mindset remains one of the biggest social barriers. A report by CEOWORLD magazine in April 2024 ranked Iraq 10th in the Arab world and 123rd globally in terms of the best countries for women to live in. Additionally, Iraq ranks 168th among nations that mistreat women, according to a study conducted by Georgetown University's Institute for Women, Peace, and Security. The study, covering 177 countries, classifies Iraq among the worst in human rights violations, particularly concerning women's rights. According to the institute, one in five women in the worst-ranked countries experiences domestic violence, while six out of ten face economic crises and poverty. Furthermore, maternal mortality rates remain high, with 540 deaths per 100,000 births due to inadequate healthcare measures. Political Achievements Despite challenges, Iraqi women have made remarkable political gains. Former Minister of State for Women's Affairs and women's rights activist Bushra Al-Zuwaini highlighted key achievements since the 2003 political transition. 'For the first time in Iraq's history, women now hold 96 seats (out of 329) in Parliament, a milestone since the establishment of the Iraqi monarchy,' Al-Zuwaini told Shafaq News. She noted that Iraq's current government includes a female finance minister [Taif Sami], a first for the country, in addition to 111 female directors-general, five deputy ministers, and 122 women serving as judges and prosecutors. Women have also gained a foothold in executive positions, marking a notable success in political representation. On the legislative front, Al-Zuwaini said Iraq has passed 13 laws supporting women, the latest being the Yazidi Female Survivors Law, which recognizes the atrocities committed against Yazidi women by ISIS. Additionally, an amendment to parliamentary membership rules now requires that if a female MP vacates her seat, another woman must replace her, regardless of the quota. However, Al-Zuwaini stressed that women's progress remains below expectations due to legal gaps that need addressing. 'Many laws require amendments, particularly the Penal Code, which contradicts Article 14 of the Constitution by discriminating between men and women. Some penalties for women are harsher than those for men. There is also an urgent need to review the Personal Status Law,' she added. Social and political barriers persist, she said, explaining that many male politicians see women as competitors rather than partners in governance. 'Iraqi society still has a deeply ingrained patriarchal mentality that assumes men are more competent, even though many jobs require intellectual rather than physical strength. This mindset remains the biggest social challenge for Iraqi women.' Challenges in the Workforce Despite efforts to integrate into the workforce, female participation in Iraq remains among the lowest in the Middle East and North Africa at just 11%, according to the World Bank and the International Labour Organization. Azhhar Al-Dulaimi, civil activist and head of the Al-Asal Organization for Women and Child Empowerment said women face discrimination in employment opportunities, legal and regulatory challenges, and a lack of work-life balance. 'There is immense pressure on working women, with little consideration for their family responsibilities,' Al-Dulaimi told Shafaq News. She pointed to limited job opportunities for women and difficulty in securing leadership positions. 'Women are rarely granted high-ranking roles, and their participation in economic and political decision-making remains limited due to persistent gender inequality.' This imbalance, she said, prevents women from influencing crucial decisions and limits their ability to balance political responsibilities with family obligations. Continued Rights Violations Beyond politics and employment, women face other rights violations, including domestic and social violence. Al-Dulaimi highlighted legal provisions that contribute to the issue, such as recent amendments to the Personal Status Law that 'weaken women's rights in child custody, inheritance, and financial support.' 'Traditional and tribal customs place additional pressure on women in Iraq's conservative society,' she said, noting that these cultural norms often undermine legal protections. Iraqi journalist and activist Lina Ali echoed these concerns, saying Iraqi women's struggles have worsened over time, particularly regarding work and family life. 'There is an urgent need for protective legislation, as seen in other countries. However, in Iraq, women's rights continue to be stripped away as time passes,' she told Shafaq News. Ali cited recently enacted laws that she described as oppressive to women. 'While we celebrate International Women's Day, new restrictive laws have been passed that curtail women's rights. For example, the amendment to the Personal Status Law removes the requirement for a first wife's consent before a husband takes a second wife. This amendment was voted on before completing its religious and legal review.' She also criticized female lawmakers in Parliament, saying many prioritize their parties' interests over women's rights. 'Most female MPs follow their political parties' male-dominated agendas. This was evident when the Women's Committee was the first to support legislation that stripped mothers of their custody rights.' Ali argued that independent female MPs who opposed these laws faced retaliation, including smear campaigns and political marginalization, considering that women in Parliament are often 'controlled rather than empowered.' Those who voice opposition, according to her, particularly independent MPs, have been targeted through defamation campaigns, 'as seen recently with several female lawyers who merely expressed their views on the law.' 'Some decision-makers believe that increasing women's rights puts their power at risk. As a result, they work to limit women's opportunities, reduce their access to jobs, and confine them to traditional roles. They resist any privileges granted to women, often justifying their stance with references to customs or religion, even though honoring women is a fundamental principle of faith.'
