Latest news with #RolaDashti
Ya Biladi
21-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
ESCWA : U.S. tariffs threaten $22 billion in Arab exports, but Morocco could seize opportunity
In a cautionary policy brief issued Saturday, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) warned that «trade protectionism» by the United States—referring to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on U.S. trade partners—will significantly impact Arab economies. The Commission, composed of 21 member states from North Africa and the Middle East, estimates that this move could put $22 billion in non-oil exports at risk. For Morocco—along with Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia—ESCWA predicts an additional $114 million in sovereign interest payments in 2025, following the implementation of the new tariffs. According to ESCWA, this increase stems from rising global bond yields and growing investor uncertainty, placing further pressure on public finances and potentially delaying development spending. Morocco may also feel the impact of slowing demand from key partners, notably the European Union, which currently absorbs 68% of the Kingdom's exports. Yet not all is negative. ESCWA notes that shifting U.S. trade dynamics may offer opportunities for trade diversion for Morocco and Egypt in particular. As American tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods increase, Moroccan and Egyptian exports could gain a competitive edge in the U.S. market, ESCWA said. However, the Commission cautions that the recent 90-day tariff pause—excluding China—could limit the extent of this benefit. Overall, total Arab exports to the U.S. have declined from $91 billion in 2013 to $48 billion in 2024, primarily due to reduced U.S. crude oil imports. Non-oil exports, on the other hand, have nearly doubled—from $14 billion to $22 billion—driven by growth in textiles, chemicals, aluminum, fertilizers, and electronics. That progress is now under threat. Jordan is among the most vulnerable, with nearly 25% of its exports bound for the U.S., while Bahrain's aluminum and chemical sectors are also flagged as high-risk. The UAE faces tariffs on an estimated $10 billion in re-exports to the U.S., primarily goods originating from third countries. ESCWA emphasizes the need for stronger regional cooperation to navigate the crisis. It calls for accelerating the implementation of the Pan-Arab Free Trade Area, advancing the GCC Customs Union, and strengthening cooperation under the Agadir Agreement—a free trade pact between Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia that entered into force in 2007. Investments in logistics and regulatory harmonization are also seen as key to repositioning Arab countries in global value chains. «Despite the pressures, there is an opportunity here to accelerate structural reforms and deepen resilience», said ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti. «The region is at a strategic inflection point», she added. On April 2, President Donald Trump announced a new global trade policy imposing a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the U.S. Morocco will be subject to this 10% tariff, which serves as the standard rate. While the primary targets are China, the European Union, and Canada, the move could also affect Morocco's trade with the U.S.—a relationship already marked by imbalance. In 2024, the U.S. trade surplus with Morocco reached $3.4 billion, a dramatic rise from just $35 million in 2005, one year after the two countries signed a Free Trade Agreement.
Zawya
21-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
US tariffs threaten $22bln in Arab non-oil exports, says ESCWA
A dramatic escalation in trade protectionism by the US is significantly impacting Arab economies, placing $22 billion in non-oil exports at risk, according to a policy brief issued today (April 19) by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Total Arab exports to the US declined from $91 billion in 2013 to $48 billion in 2024 - largely due to reduced US crude oil imports. Yet non-oil exports nearly doubled over the same period, climbing from $14 billion to $22 billion, with sectors like textiles, chemicals, aluminum, fertilizers, and electronics driving the growth. That progress is now under serious threat. Jordan is the most exposed, with nearly 25% of its total exports destined for the US. Bahrain, heavily reliant on aluminum and chemical exports to the American market, is also flagged for heightened risk, said the report. Meanwhile, the UAE too faces disruptions to an estimated $10 billion in US-bound re-exports due to tariffs levied on goods originating from third countries. ESCWA also pointed out that GCC economies are facing a recent sharp drop in global oil prices, which is further straining fiscal revenues and testing the resilience of Gulf economies reliant on hydrocarbon exports. The financial implications are also significant, it stated in the report. ESCWA estimates that Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, and Tunisia will pay $114 million more in sovereign interest payments in 2025 due to rising bond yields linked to global investor uncertainty. This increase in borrowing costs threatens to constrain national budgets and delay development spending. On the demand side, reduced imports from major global partners such as the European Union and China are likely to add pressure, it stated. The EU currently absorbs 72% of Tunisia's exports and 68% of Morocco's, while China imports 22% of GCC oil and chemical exports. "Despite the pressures, there is an opportunity here to accelerate structural reforms and deepen resilience," remarked ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti. "The region is at a strategic inflection point," she added. Despite the headwinds, ESCWA highlights potential opportunities for trade diversion. Egypt and Morocco could gain US market share as higher tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods make Arab exports more competitive - although the recent 90-day tariff pause (excluding China) may limit the scale of that effect. To navigate the crisis, ESCWA in its brief has urged Arab countries to accelerate regional integration. It recommends advancing the Pan-Arab Free Trade Area, implementing the GCC Customs Union, and expanding cooperation under the Agadir Agreement. It also calls for renewed investment in logistics infrastructure and regulatory reforms to reposition Arab countries within global value chains, she added. -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Trade Arabia
19-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
US tariffs threaten $22bn in Arab non-oil exports, says ESCWA
A dramatic escalation in trade protectionism by the US is significantly impacting Arab economies, placing $22 billion in non-oil exports at risk, according to a policy brief issued today (April 19) by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Total Arab exports to the US declined from $91 billion in 2013 to $48 billion in 2024 - largely due to reduced US crude oil imports. Yet non-oil exports nearly doubled over the same period, climbing from $14 billion to $22 billion, with sectors like textiles, chemicals, aluminum, fertilizers, and electronics driving the growth. That progress is now under serious threat. Jordan is the most exposed, with nearly 25% of its total exports destined for the US. Bahrain, heavily reliant on aluminum and chemical exports to the American market, is also flagged for heightened risk, said the report. Meanwhile, the UAE too faces disruptions to an estimated $10 billion in US-bound re-exports due to tariffs levied on goods originating from third countries. ESCWA also pointed out that GCC economies are facing a recent sharp drop in global oil prices, which is further straining fiscal revenues and testing the resilience of Gulf economies reliant on hydrocarbon exports. The financial implications are also significant, it stated in the report. ESCWA estimates that Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, and Tunisia will pay $114 million more in sovereign interest payments in 2025 due to rising bond yields linked to global investor uncertainty. This increase in borrowing costs threatens to constrain national budgets and delay development spending. On the demand side, reduced imports from major global partners such as the European Union and China are likely to add pressure, it stated. The EU currently absorbs 72% of Tunisia's exports and 68% of Morocco's, while China imports 22% of GCC oil and chemical exports. "Despite the pressures, there is an opportunity here to accelerate structural reforms and deepen resilience," remarked ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti. "The region is at a strategic inflection point," she added. Despite the headwinds, ESCWA highlights potential opportunities for trade diversion. Egypt and Morocco could gain US market share as higher tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods make Arab exports more competitive - although the recent 90-day tariff pause (excluding China) may limit the scale of that effect. To navigate the crisis, ESCWA in its brief has urged Arab countries to accelerate regional integration. It recommends advancing the Pan-Arab Free Trade Area, implementing the GCC Customs Union, and expanding cooperation under the Agadir Agreement.
Iraqi News
25-02-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
PM Al-Sudani Meets UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA
Baghdad-INA Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Tuesday, with the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Ms. Rola Dashti. The Media Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement, received by The Iraqi News Agency-INA that 'The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Iraq and ESCWA to advance shared efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discussions also covered support for Iraq's financial and economic reform programs, particularly in key economic and social priority areas'. The statement added," Prime Minister Al-Sudani reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing poverty and unemployment, improving service delivery, and achieving tangible developmental progress. He emphasized the importance of fostering investments, enhancing government administration, and advancing performance measurement systems across all sectors". The statement further stated, "The Prime Minister also highlighted the pivotal role of artificial intelligence and digital transformation in driving sustainable development. He underscored the need for collaboration with international organizations to harness these technologies in support of Iraq's economic reform efforts".
Zawya
20-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Arab Fund and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) Join Forces to Upgrade Data Portal for Sustainable Development in the Arab Region
The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the Arab Development Portal ( a key online data resource for Arab countries. This collaboration aims to speed up Arab countries' progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The portal is a regional knowledge and data platform providing access to reliable development data from various credible sources. The upgraded version will include tools powered by artificial intelligence tools, user-friendly dashboards and predictive analytics, offering valuable insights into economic trends, global benchmarks, and SDG indicators. 'This collaboration with the Arab Fund, representing ACG institutions, marks a pivotal step in strengthening data-driven, evidence-based decision-making across the Arab region. By enhancing data dissemination and accessibility, we empower policymakers and researchers with the insights needed to address critical challenges in economic development, public health, unemployment, climate resilience, and other key areas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals,' said Rola Dashti, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of UN-ESCWA. The Arab Development Portal ( was established by the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) ( an alliance of 10 Arab development institutions including the Arab Fund. "Partnership is at the core of our new strategy to maximize our impact on social and economic development across member countries,' said Bader Alsaad, Arab Fund's Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Together with UN-ESCWA we will use our expertise and resources to create a data-driven approach that helps policymakers make informed decisions." The three-year partnership will include hands-on workshops, the creation of knowledge sharing resources, and the development of innovative strategies to improve development indicators. It will also strengthen connection between the portal and its sources and will offer specialized training on AI tools to boost skills in data management and analysis. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB Group).
