World trade talks set to restart

Trade ministers from some 30 countries agree that full-scale global trade talks should resume quickly. bbc.co.uk

Africa: Trade Leaps

Africa received record high foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of US$31-billion in 2005, with good prospects for another increase in 2006, the United Nations' trade and development body said last week. East African Business Week / http://allafrica.com

'Food miles' campaigns bad for Africa's development

There is growing concern that carbon dioxide emitted when transporting food over long distances contributes significantly to global warming. http://www.wbcsd.org

Bill Gates praises UK on Africa

Microsoft boss Bill Gates hails the UK government's role as a "change agent" that helps Africa.  bbc.co.uk

Kofi Annan Addresses Continent in Speech

The immediate past Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Busumuru Kofi Annan, who ended his diplomatic career with the world body in December last year, did a surgery of the past and present situation of the African continent yesterday. Ghanaian Chronicle / http://allafrica.com

UN chief to begin Africa visit

UN chief Ban Ki-moon is to begin a five-day tour of Africa - his first official foreign trip since he took office. bbc.co.uk

Heads of State Head to Addis for AU Summit

Africa's Heads of State and Government converge tomorrow in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to review the region's development progress and seek ways to increase the tempo. The Nation / http://allafrica.com

Energy Projects Can Play Key Role in Reducing Poverty

Renewable energy is the fastest growing energy technology in the world and has a major role to play in reducing poverty while protecting the environment, according to the World Bank. United States Department of State / http://allafrica.com

New Book: Continent of Economic Opportunity

There is a growing interest involving Africa concerning the continent being developed to fulfill its immense potential. Africa: Continent of Economic Opportunity shows the business opportunities that can be found in Africa, and also the problems people encounter realizing them.

Taking Care of Business

Michael Klein, Chief Economist of the International Finance Corporation, argues that while some observers feel that rules and regulations do not matter much in Africa because enforcement is weak and most people operate in the informal economy, that approach gets things backward. http://www.imf.org

World Customs Organizations (WCO) commends BAFICAA initiative

Business Action for Africa for Improving Customs Administrations in Africa (BAFICAA) was established in the wake of the Commission for Africa’s call for customs reform as a key factor in facilitating trade, boosting economic growth and increasing revenue collection.

Nigeria: Exploring Business Opportunities Abroad

Some Nigerian businesses have in the last couple of years begun to expand their operations beyond the shores of this country. While some have invested in other African countries, a few are currently looking at the possibility of extending their operations to Europe, Asia and South America. One of such is Poland. Daily Trust / http://allafrica.com

Kenya: Italy Signs Away Sh4 Billion in Debt Relief

Italy has agreed to write off half of the money Kenya owes it in long-term debts. The East African Standard / http://allafrica.com

Botswana: Foreign Direct Investment Created 1, 735 Jobs

Botswana Export and Development Agency (BEDIA) has said that four foreign companies that invested a total of P64.1 million in Botswana sometime last year have created 1, 735 jobs. The Voice / http://allafrica.com

Liberia: Chinese Investors Tour Grand Bassa County

National Investment Commission (NIC) Chairman, Richard Tolbert, says a 5-man delegation from the People's Republic of China has toured the port city of Buchanan in Grand Bassa County to access investment climate in the county. The Analyst / http://allafrica.com

18 Months after the Commission for Africa: What can business deliver in Africa?

According to Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman and CEO, Nestlé S.A., business has begun to assess its impact on Africa much more closely; and to look at it not just in terms of philanthropy; but also in terms of investment in a very significant business opportunity which - provided those who follow it have responsibility at their core; and they are prepared to take the long view - can deliver genuine shared value to the company and its shareholders; and to all the Africans with which it comes in to contact. http://www.nestle.com

South Africa: Joining the HIV Battle Makes Good Business

Behaviour change has been widely identified as the key to reducing new HIV infections, but so far neither governments, religious leaders nor AIDS Organizations have had significant success in convincing large numbers of people to change their risky sexual behaviour. UN integrated Regional Information Networks / http://allafrica.com

Siemens to Pull Business Out of Sudan

Europe's largest electronics and electrical engineering company, will pull all business operations out of Sudan by mid-summer in light of the humanitarian conditions in the war-torn country, the company said Monday. http://www.forbes.com

Uganda: Great African Coffee Steams Its Way to Europe, S. Africa

The coffee, a product of the Good African Coffee (GAC) is only sold in the big supermarkets in South Africa and the United Kingdom (UK). GAC, the first Ugandan coffee company to go global has since its establishment four years ago, been adding value to Uganda's coffee through roasting, blending and packaging. East African Business Week / http://allafrica.com

MTN branch buys Nigeria firm

MTN's Nigerian subsidiary has acquired another firm in the country, as part of its expansion programme in Africa's most populous country, although the group did not disclose the financial details. iafrica.com