tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71412434515520268622009-11-10T20:45:32.472+04:00AFRIKASOURCESThe business intelligence solution for Africa - Those news do not necessary reflect our opinion but contribute to the collective awareness...Geopolitissimandef@gmail.comBlogger3687125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-33886989291863012122009-11-10T20:44:00.000+04:002009-11-10T20:45:32.488+04:00Emerging powers news roundupChinese investment is now flooding into Africa on such a scale that it has outstripped the ability of state-run banks to provide low-interest finance, according to a report from Reuters. As a result Chinese investors are forced to turn to commercial lending at higher rates, and therefore require more guarantees from African governments before committing themselves, the report claims. MoreAt the AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-52999946420584795782009-11-10T20:43:00.000+04:002009-11-10T20:44:14.317+04:00'MADE IN CHINA' NOW MADE IN EGYPTBy Ismail Elmokadem / Agence France-PresseFirst Published: November 8, 2009With cheap labor, investment incentives and unrestricted exports, one Chinese textile group has turned to Egypt as an ideal location to produce its ready-made garments, beating stiff competition at home.The Chinese-owned Nile Textile Group has set up shop in the Port Said free zone, overlooking the north entrance of the AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-47877389109889005892009-11-10T20:40:00.000+04:002009-11-10T20:42:45.606+04:00EGYPTIAN ECONOMY AT A ‘CROSSROADS,’ SAYS REPORTBy Theodore May / Daily News EgyptFirst Published: November 4, 2009Straying from what officials and analysts have been saying recently, a report released this week poured cold water on those continuing to celebrate Egypt’s resilience throughout the economic crisis.In a note titled “Egypt Rebounding: The Turtle or the Hare,” Cairo-based brokerage firm Beltone Financial starts off by saying that AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-21744759829154898362009-11-09T17:54:00.000+04:002009-11-09T17:56:10.404+04:00Africa’s soil to be digitally mappedBy SADC Today 12 October 2009The African Soil Information Service (ASIS), based in Kenya, will produce the digital map of 42 of Africa's 53 countries revealing soil type and its component nutrients.Information gathered will guide farmers and policymakers on efforts to improve the fertility of Africa's soils, some of which are the most depleted in the world.Coverage and detail of existing soil AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-22148919354791500972009-11-06T14:14:00.000+04:002009-11-06T14:36:48.903+04:00Djibouti’s transport network spearheads national economic growthAPA-Djibouti (Djibouti) 04-11-2009Following its independence in 1977, Djibouti had chosen a service-based economy and therefore had implemented some projects with the purpose of developing its transport network.The choice of Djiboutian authorities meant for developing logistics proves to be a national priority which lies on the fact that the country has a unique geostrategic position within the PAYETnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-38929415083390951492009-11-05T19:41:00.000+04:002009-11-05T19:42:54.808+04:00Fears of new war in Sudan's Nuba MountainsAir raids may no longer target the highlands of central Sudan, but heads still turn sharply to scan the skies at the sound of an aeroplane engine overhead.The Nuba Mountains - once a key enclave of rebels battling the government in Khartoum - saw some of the heaviest fighting of Sudan's 22-year civil war between north and south.However many people living in the green hills and wooded valleys at PAYETnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-81164606955261573212009-11-05T19:40:00.000+04:002009-11-05T19:41:18.560+04:00Volcanic eruptions may split Africa - studyVolcanic activity may split the African continent in two owing to a recent geological crack in north-eastern Ethiopia, researchers said on Tuesday.The 60km split in the desolate Afar region, which was the result of two volcanic eruptions in September 2005, has enabled scientists to further examine the earth's tectonic movements, said a report published in the Geophysical Research Letters."The PAYETnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-70220693740303921902009-11-05T14:30:00.000+04:002009-11-05T14:31:30.645+04:00South Africa JSE signs up for responsible investmentWednesday, 04 November 2009South Africa's JSE is one of the first stock exchanges worldwide to become a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UN PRI), which guide investors in taking environmental, social and corporate governance issues into account when investing.The exchange sees the move as a step forward in its already strong support of corporate and investor PAYETnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-16642152354617858342009-11-05T14:26:00.000+04:002009-11-05T14:27:26.856+04:00Arab bank readies $1bn for African food, roadsNovember 5, 2009 - By Reuters KhartoumThe Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea) is to step up funding for agriculture projects to help governments stave off future food price crises and droughts, according to the bank's director-general. Abdelaziz Khelef said the bank would increase total commitments to $1 billion (R7.8bn) under a new five-year plan, a $100 million increase from PAYETnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-22879875275634080942009-11-05T14:25:00.001+04:002009-11-05T14:26:16.708+04:00Irish Company Mainstream committed to wind farm projectNovember 5, 2009 - By INGI SALGADOMainstream Renewable Power, the Irish developer that plans to spend €850 million (R9.9bn) building 18 wind farms in South Africa over five years, is on track to build its first facility at Jeffreys Bay next year, according to the chief executive, Eddie O'Connor."It seems to me like we might be able to go ahead next year with construction," he said last week, PAYETnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-24017108994699140462009-11-05T14:05:00.000+04:002009-11-05T14:06:19.628+04:00SA's neighbours must prioritise diversification - WTO reviewBy Ann CrottyEconomic diversity is the most important policy imperative facing the four smaller members of the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), the World Trade Organisation's (WTO's) latest trade policy review of the region notes.Since the previous review in 2003, Sacu members (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland) collectively grew gross domestic product (GDP) at an PAYETnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-21940880104617607842009-11-04T11:43:00.000+04:002009-11-04T11:44:26.926+04:00South african Minister Shabangu tells mining firms to stop frontingNovember 4, 2009By Lucky BiyaseThe government would not tolerate the widespread trend by mining companies to rent black faces to buy compliance, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu warned delegates at the Chamber of Mines' 119th annual general meeting yesterday."We are digging deeper into your companies and we will be coming to you. Action will be taken," she said. Shabangu would not be PAYETnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-60204664803880511502009-11-04T11:42:00.000+04:002009-11-04T11:43:16.131+04:00Sugar: Experts split on sweeter share pricesNovember 4, 2009By SAMANTHA ENSLIN-PAYNEIllovo Sugar and Tongaat Hulett's share prices have surged over the past 10 months, buoyed by the strong sugar price that reached a 22-year high recently, but analysts are divided on whether the party is now over.Lonwabo Maqubela, an analyst at Allan Gray, said: "The world sugar market is highly volatile. As contrarian investors, when we observe the strong PAYETnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-8269642867173658192009-11-03T17:44:00.000+04:002009-11-03T17:45:47.507+04:00UN expert issues damning report on Egypt’s counter-terrorism measuresBy Sarah Carr / Daily News EgyptFirst Published: October 29, 2009The United Nations Special Rapporteur (SR) on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms While Countering Terrorism was strongly critical of the legal framework governing Egypt’s counter terrorism activity in a report issued this week.The report, which details SR Martin Scheinin’s fact-finding mission to PAYETnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-77962421074122566132009-11-03T17:15:00.000+04:002009-11-03T17:16:12.718+04:00Comesa to simplify rules with a new simplified trade regime (STR)Regional trade ministers hope to tap $7.5 billion in new business by rolling out simplified rules to help small-scale cross-border traders maximise on the benefits of integrated market systems.Though informal traders are estimated to account for 50 per cent of the annual $15 billion trade within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), their potential has not been fully AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-46564550898740780872009-11-03T17:14:00.000+04:002009-11-03T17:15:06.819+04:00IMF to continue support for Uganda’s policiesThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) is working on an extension of the current Policy Support Instrument (PSI) that would be time consistent with Uganda’s budget cycle.IMF Senior Resident Representative, Mr Richardson Thomas J. told Daily Monitor on October 23 the IMF Mission team from Washington is in the country carrying out economic review under the PSI programme.“Yes, the mission is here andAFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-63510570545471540542009-11-03T17:10:00.001+04:002009-11-03T17:10:40.838+04:00Kenya: Freight charges set to rise as trade looks up By STEVE MBOGO - Tuesday, November 3 2009 at 00:00Signs of recovery in the global economy are likely to result in an increase in shipping charges, although the industry expects price stabilisation if the recovery pace is maintained.But the expected increase in volume of cargo is expected to lower marine insurance charges, industry analyst said.“If demand for vessels is higher than supply, then AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-64895972892949634642009-11-03T17:08:00.000+04:002009-11-03T17:09:10.213+04:00Deals with China will hurt Kenya, warn researchers By JIM ONYANGO - Tuesday, November 3 2009 at 00:00The increasing investment, foreign aid and diplomatic ties with China will hurt Kenya in the long run because of limited joint ownership or local capital in Chinese investments, researchers have said in a survey to be released on Tuesday ahead of next week’s major meeting between Chinese government officials and African leaders in Egypt.Kenya’s AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-14694030427129149752009-11-03T17:04:00.000+04:002009-11-03T17:05:47.110+04:00High tea, coffee prices offer hope for Kenya’s recovery By BD Team - Business Daily Africa - Tuesday, November 3 2009 at 00:00A strong rally in commodity prices could help put Kenya’s economy back on the growth path, analysts said even as they warned of persistent risk of imported inflation from the steady surge in the prices of key imports such as oil.Kenya’s fortunes in the commodities market is particularly tied to the continued strengthening of AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-81166438113648032022009-11-03T16:49:00.000+04:002009-11-03T16:50:17.154+04:00Focus on China's goals as Egypt talks set to open By BEN BLANCHARDPosted Monday, November 2 2009BEIJING, MondayBarely a month goes by without some new energy or mineral deal being struck between China and an African nation. These deals have transfixed the West, but China gets far more from the relationship than raw resources.Africa offers China two important things — a chance to earn the global respect it believes it deserves in recognition of AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-46606081993825791472009-11-03T16:35:00.000+04:002009-11-03T16:36:06.401+04:00Failed rural ICT projects eat up $10m in Uganda By ESTHER OPANDE - The East African - Monday, November 2 2009Several rural communication projects that have so far used up more than Ush20 billion ($10 million) could fail with some districts complaining of huge maintenance costs.At a recent district leaders ICT meeting in Kampala called to assess the first phase of the Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF), it emerged that only 923 AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-10911524015076693942009-11-03T16:33:00.000+04:002009-11-03T16:34:43.833+04:00Kenya to conduct manpower survey next year in 2010 Published on 30/10/2009 by Luke Anami [The Standard]A survey to determine the level of manpower in Kenya will be carried out next year, the first time in twenty years.The National Manpower Survey, will be conducted in all administrative districts countrywide, as well as mission’s abroad."Because Kenya has not conducted a survey in the last 20 years, the country lacks adequate, timely and AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-84229770701620910112009-11-03T16:31:00.001+04:002009-11-03T16:33:04.552+04:00IMF says Kenya’s economy is stabilising, likely to recoverPublished on 02/11/2009 by The Standard [Kenya] - James AnyanzwaThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) has applauded the progress the country has made to stabilise the economy since the post-election violence of early last year.This comes after the Bretton Woods institution concluded its scheduled Review Mission to Kenya. Speaking during a briefing with Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday, AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-32521932036050022182009-11-03T16:19:00.000+04:002009-11-03T16:20:13.877+04:00SA group closes more shops, but won’t quit Tanzania market yet By MIKE MANDE - The East African - Monday, October 26 2009Shoprite Holdings Ltd of South Africa wants to expand its business in Tanzania despite closing some of its shops in the country due to unprofitability.Ms Sarita van Wyk, the spokesperson of Shoprite Checkers, told The EastAfrican from South Africa that the group would close its Mayfair Plaza store in Dar es Salaam because it was making AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7141243451552026862.post-63796303426862562492009-11-03T16:10:00.001+04:002009-11-03T16:11:56.170+04:00Landlocked African countries pin their hopes on EASSy cable By MICHAEL OUMA - The East African - Monday, November 2 2009The 10,800 kilometre long East African Submarine System (EASSy), to be complete in March before going live in June 2010, is set to provide fibre optic Internet connectivity to most of the landlocked countries in the continent, unlike its competitors who serve coastline countries.The cable, to cost $263 million, is to provide AFRIKASOURCEShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14539313867077291084afrikasources@gmail.com