World Bank sees big gains from easing trade flows

Reducing the cost of moving goods across borders could boost the incomes of developing countries more than a new world trade pact that cuts tariffs and agricultural subsidies, World Bank officials said on Monday. africa.reuters.com

Instability 'threat' to business

Instability in emerging markets threatens business prospects in many countries around the world, a report says. bbc.co.uk

Africa's economies at 30-year best

Africa's sub-Sahara region is enjoying its strongest economic growth and its lowest inflation in more than three decades, the International Monetary Fund said on Monday. iafrica.com

World must be careful on food miles issue - diplomat

Ending imports of fresh food from Africa under the pretext of combating climate change risks destroying entire communities that have become dependent on the trade, Ghana's High Commissioner to Britain said on Wednesday. africa.reuters.com

Summit to cut conflict gem trade

A diamond industry watchdog meets to discuss ways of preventing the trade in conflict diamonds. bbc.co.uk

UN Environment Agency Announces New Projects to Boost Clean Energy

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today announced the launch of a pair of projects worth some $100 million in the tea and sugar industries designed to boost the use of clean energy and stimulate development in Africa. UN News Service / http://allafrica.com

$100 laptop' begins production

Mass production of the so-called $100 laptop has begun, five years after the concept was first proposed. bbc.co.uk

South Africa: Red Tape Holds Up Trade - World Bank

Trade restrictions are stifling SA's global business competitiveness and the country is lagging other developing countries in reforms, a new survey shows. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

East Africa: Region Asks For More Time to Discuss Trade Deal

East African countries - Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi - are pursuing an economic, and political union under the East African Community (EAC). The East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

Ghana: Country Experiencing Rapid Capital Inflows - IMF

Ghana is experiencing rising capital inflows in the region according to the World Economic Outlook report released at the just ended annual meeting of governors of financial institutions among its 185 member countries. Ghanaian Chronicle / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Coffee Farmers to Access U.S. Market Under Fair-Trade Deal

Small scale coffee farmers now have a window to sell coffee directly to the United States under the 'ethically produced' label. Business Daily / http://allafrica.com

Rwanda capital market to open by March 2008

Rwanda's first stock exchange will be operational in the first quarter of 2008, with four companies having expressed interest in listing on the fledgling market, the bourse's executive director said on Monday. africa.reuters.com

Liberia: Investment Commission Makes U.S. $250,000 Deal With Bank

ECOBank Liberia limited has loaned US$250,000.00 to the National Investment Commission (NIC) in support of Liberian owned Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development Program. The Analyst / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: State Strategy Good News for Small Suppliers

The cabinet has finally given the go-ahead for the implementation of a government procurement strategy covering 10 key categories of products. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Lesotho: UN Agriculture Fund Announces $8.7 Million Programme

The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today announced the launch of an $8.7 million programme aimed at helping some 37,000 poor rural people in Lesotho have better access to financial services. UN News Service / http://allafrica.com

Congo-Kinshasa: NGOs Campaign for Publication of Mining Contracts Report

A worldwide coalition of non-governmental organizations this week launched an international appeal demanding publication of a government report on mining contracts in Congo. Catholic Information Service for Africa / http://allafrica.com

Botswana: President Says Poverty Levels Will Drop to All Time Low

Poverty levels are expected to fall to an all time low of 23 percent by 2009 on the back of continued economic growth which has earned Botswana rave reviews as Africa's leader in poverty reduction, President Festus Mogae said in Parliament. Mmegi/The Reporter / http://allafrica.com

Steel and carbon tariffs scrapped

Government has scrapped import tariffs on stainless steel and carbon in order to promote competition, SABC reported on Tuesday. iafrica.com

Nigeria: Intel, ETF Invest $10.1 million On Digital Content

Intel, one of the world's leading information communication technology (ICT) firms has, in collaboration with the Education Trust Fund (ETF), invested $10.1million towards the development of a digital curriculum content for Nigerian secondary schools under the e-school initiative. This Day / http://allafrica.com

ArcelorMittalSA, Toyota in steel venture

Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toyota Tsusho Africa and ArcelorMittal South Africa on Thursday unveiled a 147 million rand joint venture to process steel for Toyota South Africa. africa.reuters.com