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Published 1st September 2008

Vol 1 (AAC) No 11


A softer landing in the East

Image courtesy of Panos Pictures
Image courtesy of Panos Pictures

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Asia's more buoyant economies could help cushion the effects of the West's credit crunch on Africa

If Asia's economic growth has offered African exporters a fast-growing and lucrative market and its hyper-economies - China and India - have become important sources of investment capital, then this time the worst effects of the Western-based financial crisis might not reach Africa. That supposition is based on the premise that Asian economies are better placed to weather the current storm than their Western counterparts. So far the signs have been mixed; even within Western governments, there are fierce arguments about the severity and depth of the recession.


The markets react

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African economies may not be hit by the economic crisis in the West

Chaos in Western-dominated capital and money markets has spared Africa so far. Many economists believe that Africa might be largely insulated from the first wave of damage from...


China, India and the vote

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The three main presidential candidates show they are all aware of the importance of Asian investment to the country's future

Asia is looming large in Zambia's presidential elections, due on 30 October. This is partly because China and India have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Zambia's copper mines and...


Investment and jobs

Old ties could lead to a bright future

Zambia's relations with India go back a century to colonial rule under Britain, when people from the subcontinent were recruited by the colonial authorities as civil servants and others set up...


More competition for Tokyo

Tokyo promises to keep up its Africa momentum but is losing big contracts to China

Japan would honour its promises to increase aid and investment in Africa despite the departure of Prime Miniter Yasuo Fukuda, said Foreign Minister Shintaro Ito during a trip to Kenya this...


Tokyo eyes the sparklers

Japanese trainers are to help develop the skills of Angolan workers in the diamond industry

As long as it lasts, the diamond boom may help Japanese companies. They are well placed to take advantage of the decision by state diamond company Endiama that more than...


New regime, new policy

Japan's new government lacks the Africa credentials of its predecessor, but Premier Aso promises to reform Japan's policies

Just a day after he was elected by the Diet, Japan's new Prime Minister Taro Aso flew to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly. Although he does...


Dollar diplomacy fails

Since the UN switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1971, Taipei's allies have dwindled to just 23 countries

The opportunities for African states to benefit from the bidding war between Taiwan and China are almost over. Taipei officials believe that 'dollar diplomacy' has failed: Taipei has lost...


Playing the odds

The new Consulate in Juba is the sign of strengthening relations between the Government of Southern Sudan and China

A new phase in China's relations with Sudan began on 1 September when Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun inaugurated the new Chinese Consulate in Juba. This was an historic move...


Leading horses to water

Japanese businesses are realising that success in Africa is hard to come by

Japanese companies in Africa are struggling to increase their market share against pressure from Chinese and Western firms, a new survey by the Japanese External Trade Organisation (JETRO) has found. Some...


Ambitious investments

Chinese interests are to help draw up a national development plan for Congo-Kinshasa

China's activities in Congo-Kinshasa began with mining, moved into infrastructure and are now more ambitious still: they are diversifying into national development planning. Relations were strengthened by President Joseph Kabila's visit for...



Pointers

Supachai Panitchpakdi

Secretary General, UNCTAD

An experienced negotiator at the head of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Supachai Panitchpakdi unveiled the agency's annual global survey on 2 September at Britain's London School of...


Choi Young-Jin

United Nations Special Representative for Côte d'Ivoire

Alongside the United Nations Operations in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), South Korea's Choi Young-jin is working to implement the peace process outlined in the Ouagadougou accord of March 2007, signed by President...


Partha S. Bhattacharyya

Chairman, Coal India Ltd

With its coal reserves due to last only another 40 to 45 years, India is taking steps to increase its coal imports to meet rising domestic consumption. Spearheading the...


Ren Zhengfei

Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Technologies

Huawei is China's largest producer of telecommunications equipment, built by an enigmatic figure, Ren Zhengfei. Born in 1944, Ren attended Chongqing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture.