high, at .an average rate of 10.4 per cent durinf the :t::eriod 1979- 1981. This reflects the rapid growth of the manufacturing sector in the latter part of the 1970s following the introduction of the "open door" policy and the establishment of free trade zones, though deliberate policy has also playeo a role. In the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya manufacturing employment has continued to in­ crease rapidly {9.8 per cent in 1980, and 10.7 per cent in 1981 ), and the situation is similar in Algeria. But outside North Africa, the picture is less bright. In the Congo manufacturing employment has stagnated in the last 10 years, while employment in government more than doubled between 1971 and 1981. {_Q) Investment 117. Despite the current difficulties, investment in manufactu r­ ing remains very high and a priority for most countries of the region. In E[ypt data for the period 1975-1981 indicate that in­ vestment in manufacturing has remained at between 25 anc 50 per cent of total fiYed capital formatic~, increasing more rapifly than GDP. In Algeria, where in 1980 total fiYec carital forma­ tion amounted to 55.5 billion dinars, industrial investment plan­ ned by public and self-managed enterprises was valued at DA 31 .8 billion, in addition to some DA 0.8 billion frore the orCinary budget. In this way manufacturing investment totallec 24.4 per cent of GDP, probably the highest level in the region. Algeria is, however, an exceptional case, because of its large oil revenues and its policy of maximum investment of these revenues. In the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya the situation is quite different:·. investment in manufacturing accounted fer only 16.9 per c~nt of total capital formation in 1981, but opportunities there are more limited because the population is small and fe\'rer trainee person­ nel are available. In Tunisia, investment in manufacturing takes 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the economic growth and development of several countries in North Africa, focusing on manufacturing sector growth, employment, and investment. It highlights the rapid growth of the manufacturing sector in some countries, such as Libya and Algeria, and the challenges faced by others, like the Congo. The text also provides data on investment in manufacturing and its proportion of total capital formation. Given the focus on economic development, employment, and investment, it is likely that the text belongs to the category of economic development.

**Category**
Economic development, Industry