China Announces $3 Billion Loan Plan for Africa

China will lend African nations $3 billion in preferential credit over three years and double aid and interest-free loans over the same time, China’s Commerce Ministry said ahead of President Hu Jintao’s tour to woo the continent. The announcement stressed that the offer came with none of the strictures that Western countries often demand. The New York Times

Hot On China's Heels, Brazil is Coming

Chinese President Hu Jintao is on an eight African nations tour, part of his country's big push to woo the continent with aid and business as the next global economic superpower fights to feed its energy and resource hungry booming economy. But just China is not alone in courting Africa. Observers think that India and Brazil, who are also in the race for the next superpower, might in the long term beat China out in building lasting economic relationship with Africa. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

WTO Head Sees Progress on Trade Issues, But Tough Bargaining Lies Ahead

The next six months will be crucial for the efforts of Africa and the rest of the developing world to secure easier access to markets for their products in the industrialized world. After the round of international trade negotiations which began in Doha, Qatar, in 2001 (the "Doha Round"), stalled last July, it was announced in Davos, Switzerland, last week that talks will be resuscitated. http://allafrica.com

Summit Fails to Agree On Nepad Being Part of AU

A move to integrate the New Partnership for Africa's Development into the African Union has flopped. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Presidents Urged to Boost Science

African heads of state have been urged to use their influence to promote policies guiding the growth of innovation, science and technology in the region. SciDev.net / http://allafrica.com

Africa and the WTO Doha Round: An Overview

Developing countries, and especially Least Developed Countries, were promised a WTO ‘Development Round’ at Doha in 2001. In fact, the Round’s agenda became dominated by topics and proposals of little relevance and at times threatening for some groups of developing countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. Development Policy Review

African Countries and the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Mechanism

The WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism was designed, inter alia, to secure the ‘rule of law’ within international trade and provide all members with opportunities to exercise their rights under multilateral trade agreements. But, after ten years, no sub-Saharan African country has yet used the option to initiate a dispute. Development Policy Review

China’s Leader Visits Sudan and Focuses on Growing Economic Ties

Western leaders had hoped that Hu Jintao would use his trip to press the Sudanese president to accept U.N. peacekeepers and resolve the four-year conflict there. The New York Times

China to boost ties with Zambia

China announces new investment worth $800m in Zambia, the latest stop on President Hu's African tour. bbc.co.uk

East Africa: India Offers Free Market Access

India is seeking to enter a free trade arrangement with Uganda and other member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), a top Indian commerce ministry official disclosed on Monday. New Vision / http://allafrica.com

Botswana: India to Invest in Diamond Industry

India is interested in doing business with Botswana, in particular in investing in Botswana's diamond industry, the Joint Secretary at the Department of Commerce, Bharathi Sihag, told African journalists visiting India. Mmegi / The Reporter / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: U.S. Dismisses  Agoa Case

The office of the United States Trade Representative has dismissed a case filed by US-based labour unions to revoke Uganda's African Growth and Opportunity Act's (AGOA) benefits. New Vision / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Country Gets Top Business Honours

Kenya has the best environment for business in East Africa. According to a recent survey, Kenya ranks higher than its neighbours Tanzania and Uganda as the leading business destination. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: President Obasanjo Says Nigeria Has Capacity for 50m Phone Lines

President Obasanjo has said Government had done its duty of providing the enabling environment for the telecommunications sector to thrive, and challenged all interested to take advantage of the opportunities. Nigeria First / http://allafrica.com

Zimbabwe devaluation ruled out

Zimbabwe Reserve Bank's governor rules out a further devaluation of the country's currency. bbc.co.uk

BEE codes could be forced on firms

Black Economic Empowerment legislation could be amended to compel companies to adhere to codes of good practice, with the trade and industry department complaining that the act needs "more teeth". iafrica.com

Conservatives criticise Blair over squalid Tanzanian Air Traffic Control deal

Conservatives will tomorrow (Tuesday) accuse Tony Blair of negligence for his decision in 2001 to allow the sale to Tanzania of an outdated and overpriced air traffic control system in a deal which is now under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office. Conservative Party Press Release

World Economic Forum Considers New Humanitarian Response

Leading companies involved in humanitarian relief should commit themselves to "a long list of extremely high standards", the United Nations' top humanitarian official told IRIN in a telephone interview from New York. UN Integrated Regional Information Networks / http://allafrica.com

Citigroup & WFP Launch  Emergency Network

Corporate and Investment Banking and WFP have announced the launch of the WFP Emergency Network, a ground-breaking partnership between the private sector and WFP, the world's largest humanitarian organisation and the UN's logistics coordinator in times of disaster as well as its lead agency in the fight against hunger. World Food Programme / http://allafrica.com

EU drops De Beers diamond probe

EU regulators dropped on Wednesday a six-year probe into De Beers after the South African diamond giant calmed their concerns about its threat to competition. iafrica.com