Kenya’s import orientation has revealed key flaws. One clear problem is having a chronic and substantial current account deficit.   Secondly the government has to be hawk-eyed about the shilling depreciation to keep import bills manageable. Third, the country is unable to generate forex to pay foreign-denominated debt.   Finally, Kenya’s import economy exacerbates the country’s unemployment.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 1st February 2016

 Djibouti’s president has signed an agreement with China to set up a trade zone and establish legal framework to let Chinese banks operate in the country, according to a Reuters report Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh stated the aim is to have the first phase completed and operational before end of 2016  The trade zone is expected to cover an area of 48 sq km. The first phase covers an area of 1.5 sq km and is aimed to be.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 29th January 2016

 Djibouti’s president has signed an agreement with China to set up a trade zone and establish legal framework to let Chinese banks operate in the country, according to a Reuters report Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh stated the aim is to have the first phase completed and operational before end of 2016  The trade zone is expected to cover an area of 48 sq km. The first phase covers an area of 1.5 sq km and is aimed to be.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 29th January 2016

 Spanish genset manufacturer Himoinsa’s turnover in 2015 grew by 15 per cent, with strong sales figures coming in from the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe   While Europe emerged a key market contributing 37 per cent of the total turnover, America followed with a 26 per cent share and Asia Pacific with a 17 per cent share. The Middle East and Africa each contributed 10 per cent to Himoinsa’s annual figures.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 28th January 2016

As Rwanda is the second easiest place to do business in Africa after Mauritius, as indicated by the World Bank's 2016 Doing Business report, its Special Economic Zone has continued attracting investors.   The Special Economic Zone program within the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is designed to address domestic private sector constraints such as availability of industrial and commercial land, availability and the cost of energy, limited.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th January 2016

The Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Association of Professional Tailors plan to set up a tailoring factory under a company to be named "Kigali Garment Centre" to reduce importation of second hand clothes, Minister Francois Kanimba said.   Speaking at a dialogue with the tailors, yesterday, in Kigali, the Trade and Industry minister said the factory would be set up by the end of the year.   The association was.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th January 2016

A United Kingdom (UK)-based company has expressed interest in putting up an iron smelter at the Chambishi Multi-Facility Economic Zone (CMFEZ).   Zambia-China Economic and Trade Corporation spokesperson Stephen Lindunda said in an interview that the UK-based company was interested in establishing the iron smelter at CMFEZ.   He said 10 Chinese companies had also expressed interest in investing in the manufacturing of different.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th January 2016

 Kenya's economy will grow at 5.6% slower than earlier projected, but several major infrastructure projects will help to shore up its prospects.   'The economy is projected to continue to expand robustly, although at a slower-than-projected pace. Real GDP is projected to grow by 5.6 percent in 2015 driven by public infrastructure spending, buoyant credit growth, and strong consumer demand,' Vitaliy Kramarenko who recently led an.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th January 2016

 Global logistics executives have ranked Kenya among the top promising investment markets in Africa, after South Africa and Nigeria.   A report titled Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index 2016 says a fast-growing middle class and the demand for mineral resources are important growth drivers in the country.   Others are new oil and gas finds, rapid infrastructure development, stronger agricultural demand and increased.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 20th January 2016

Asia’s premium hardware event, the Taiwan Hardware Show (THS) will come back in high momentum this 12 to 14 October 2016 as promising market developments reign. Brought together for the 16th time by Taiwan’s leading trade fair organizer, Kaigo Co., Ltd, the exhibition will be staged at the heart of Taiwan’s largest hardware cluster in the Greater Taichung International Expo Centre. Multinational hardware producers and.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 18th January 2016

 The secret behind becoming prosperous, ensuring a turnaround in lifestyle, among others, resides in spurring industrial development. Although many developing countries envisage to become industry hubs, they fail to adopt the right policies and strategies. Constrained by lack of financial muscle and skilled human power, their ambitions to industrial development could not come anywhere near success.   But Ethiopia has mapped out a.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 16th January 2016

A China-Africa industrial capacity cooperation fund, designed to aid Africa's development, is now active, China's central bank said Thursday.   The fund, with an initial capital of 10 billion U.S. dollars, will mainly invest in sectors like manufacturing, hi-tech, agriculture, energy, infrastructure construction and finance in African countries, the People's Bank of China said in a statement on its website.   The statement said.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 12th January 2016