Tanzanian gets key UN post

New UN chief Ban Ki-moon names a Tanzanian official, Asha-Rose Migiro, as his deputy. bbc.co.uk

Member Countries Willing to Conclude Doha Talks - WTO

The political will to resume the suspended multilateral trade talk in the World Trade Organi-sation (WTO) is being reaffirmed by the negotiating parties, the Director General of the organization, Mr. Pascal Lammy said in Geneva. Daily Trust / http://allafrica.com

Africa's year of terror tactics

Africa's bit-part role in the war on terror is drawing attention from its economic successes and its year of elections in 2007. bbc.co.uk

Developing Countries Set the Standards

Developing countries led by India, China, Brazil are now taking the lead in setting global standards in the rapidly transforming telecommunications sector due to convergence of hitherto separate communications and entertainment services, says Hamadoun Toure, the new secretary general of the Geneva-based International Telecommunications Union. Inter Press Service / http://allafrica.com

$100 laptop project launches 2007

Millions of computers built for the One Laptop Per Child project could reach users by July this year. bbc.co.uk

Nigeria: Nigeria Exits London Club

President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that Nigeria would exit the London Club of creditors by March when it would pay the final tranche of about $900 million to the club and the country would thereafter become debt free. This Day / http://allafrica.com

Ghana: New Facility to Boost Ghana-Spain Trade

A Canary Island company, Canary Impex, has announced the establishment of a new logistic operation in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, to create a distribution centre for the growing number of Spanish products finding their way to West Africa. The Ghanaian Chronicle / http://allafrica.com

China closes Zambia textile firm

A Chinese firm running Zambia's largest textile company has temporarily shut it down and placed about 700 workers on forced unpaid leave following massive losses, management said. iafrica.com

East Africa: Uganda, Comesa Trade Doubles

Trade between Uganda and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has doubled in the last five years indicating further the shifting trend of better trade within the region than fields afar. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com

Ethiopia: China Imports to Require Certification, Tariff-Free Exports to Increase

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) announced that it is to start requiring pre-shipment inspection certificates for products imported into the country from China, as of January 1, 2006. Moreover, the number of items with special preferential tariff exported to China will increase. Addis Fortune / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Saves $1 Billion

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said it saved about $1 billion for Nigeria in the oil and gas industry in 2004 and 2005 as a result of the checks it has initiated for the same period. Vanguard / http://allafrica.com

East Africa: Brazilian Firm Enters Into East African Oil Exploration Deal

A Brazilian international energy firm, Petróleo Brasileiro S/A (Petrobras), has concluded an agreement with the Tanzania government to start deepwater exploration for oil within two years. The East African /http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Stock Exchange Touches Record High

Global markets led the way as the JSE blasted into the new year yesterday, closing above 25000 points for the first time. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: SARS Starts Major Systems Overhaul

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has embarked on a fundamental review of the operating systems and business processes of its tax and customs administration, with a view to modernising them. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Gambia: Country to Sustain Strong Economic Growth

The Central Bank of The Gambia has revealed the recent economic data indicated that the strong economic growth achieved in 2005 will be sustained in 2006. The Daily Observer / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: Global Ore Giant Rio Tinto to Mine in Uganda

Vermiculite production is set to rise to 20,000 metric tonnes this year from last year's 5,000 after global giant Rio Tinto takes over mining. New Vision / http://allafrica.com

Zimbabwe: Absa to Take Over Barclays Zim

ABSA Bank of South Africa will soon move in to lift a controlling 67,7 percent stake in Barclays Bank (Zimbabwe), principally as a key step towards fulfilling its multi-million dollar deal with United Kingdom-based Barclays plc last January. The Herald / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Virgin Nigeria to Announce Partner On U.S. Route Soon

Virgin Nigeria Airways may partner with an American airline to actualise its operation on the Lagos - United States (U.S.) route early this year, its Chief Executive, Mr Conrad Clifford, has said. Daily Champion / http://allafrica.com

Liberia: President Sirleaf Urges Firestone Management

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has urged the management of the Firestone Rubber Plantation to move some of the young people currently working on the plantation from just being tappers to professionals. The Inquirer / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: New Telecom Licensing Commences

The Uganda Communications Commission's new licensing regime has started. This means MTN and uganda telecom's (utl) five-year duopoly of national operators of telecommunication services has come to an end, paving the way for new players.  New Vision / http://allafrica.com