New Focus Needed for Doha Round

"The Doha Round of international trade negotiations collapsed mainly because of a fight for advantage in agricultural markets by large and powerful countries, corporations and lobbies," FAO said today. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations / http://allafrica.com

Continent Benefits From Links With China, Must Boost Capacities

Africa stands to benefit from its deepening ties with China but the continent has its work cut out in terms of building capacities to match the Chinese economic juggernaut, according a recent study on the impact of China on sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Southern African News Features / http://allafrica.com

Zimbabweans suffer cash chaos

Zimbabweans are facing chaos and confusion as they try to deposit and spend their cash before it becomes worthless on 21 August. BBC

Tanzania: Macroeconomic Environment Makes World Mark

Tanzania has been placed in the sixth position out of 117 countries in the world in a ranking on the most favourable macroeconomic environment. East African Business Week / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: Bank of Uganda to Manage Oil Revenues

Uganda is finalising the setting up of a Petroleum Fund to manage revenues expected from recently-discovered oil fields in the country. Several firms have presented prospecting proposals. The East African / http://allafrica.com

SA economy robust despite lower-growth expectations

South Africa's economy will grow more slowly than expected in 2006 and 2007 but will weather a weaker currency, higher interest rates and emerging-market jitters, the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) said on Thursday. Mail and Guardian Online / Google News

Ethiopia: Reaching a Milestone, Country Hits $1 Billion in Exports

Ethiopia's revenues from exported items surpassed the threshold of one billion dollars for the first time, thereby creating much excitement within the government circles. Addis Fortune / http://allafrica.com

Burundi: Economic Growth Steady, Says the IMF

The executive directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have commended Burundi for maintaining stable macro-economic conditions despite a difficult post-conflict situation. The East African / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Market Capitalisation Hits N3.6trn

The consistent rise in the prices of shares on the trading floors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has continued to boost the performance of the market capitalisation which increased yesterday by N92 billion or 2.6 per cent to N3.600 trillion, from the opening figures at N3.508 trillion. Daily Chamion / http://allafrica.com

Tanzania: Country Suspends Privatisation of Dar Port to Make It More Viable

Tanzania has suspended the privatisation of the general cargo terminal and other facilities at the Dar es Salaam Port, The EastAfrican has learnt. The East African / http://allafrica.com

Namibia: Old Mutual Prepares for Country's Largest Black Economic Empowerment Drive

Old Mutual Namibia will embark on a massive black economic empowerment (BEE) drive, saying it would be the largest in the country. The Namibian / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Shell Q2 Profits Hits $7.32 Billion, Commits to Nigeria

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Europe's second-largest oil company, reported a 40 percent increase in second-quarter earnings Thursday as high oil prices offset production difficulties in Nigeria and the Gulf of Mexico. Vanguard / http://allafrica.com

South Africa: Anglo American Shares Soar As Investors Get Special Dividend

Global resources group Anglo American on Friday rewarded shareholders with a special dividend of US67c a share to reflect the cash flowing into the group from its mining operations and disposals of noncore assets. Business Day / http://allafrica.com

BHP Billiton More Than Doubles Exploration Spending This Year

Global resources producer BHP Billiton was starting to see success in diamond exploration in Angola, vice-president exploration and integrated business development Ian Maxwell said on Tuesday.  Business Day / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Co-op Bank's Profits Rise to $7.8 Million

Co-operative Bank yesterday reported a 48 per cent increase in its pre-tax profits for the first half of 2006. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Nigeria: Banking Sector Boosts Market Turnover By 85.03 Percent

Trading on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) Wednesday was boosted by the Banking sub-sector accounting for 85.03 per cent of the entire market turnover. Vanguard / http://allafrica.com

Zambia: Telecoms Market Fastest Growing in Region – Moyo

Zambia's telecommunications market is the fastest growing in the region, former Celtel Zambia marketing director Norman Moyo has said. The Post / http://arllafrica.com

Kenya: Equity Bank Share Price Climbs By 137 Per Cent

Equity Bank shares, which were officially listed at the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday, climbed to an average price of Sh166 from the recommended price of Sh70. The East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

Tanzania: SAA to Sell 49 Percent of Its Stake in Air Tanzania

South African Airways (SAA) is to sell 49 per cent of its stake in the troubled Air Tanzania Company Ltd (ATCL), completely severing a failed five-year strategic alliance between the two airlines. The East African / http://allafrica.com

Uganda: Call Centres Driving Business Outsourcing

In what is termed business outsourcing, Ugandans have started pocketing millions of shillings by simply sitting behind computers and answering phone calls from prospective clients. The Monitor / http://allafrica.com