Angola: Finance Minister Defends Strong Private Sector

Angola Press Agency (Luanda), 27 November 2008

Angolan Finance minister, Severim de Morais, Thursday in central Huambo, spoke of the need for a strong private sector in the country, capable of meeting the society's demands for goods and services.

The minister was speaking at the closing of the first national conference on the private sector that took place in Huambo for two days.

The official justified the need for a strong private sector saying that the stronger its capacity in serving the demands of the society, the lesser will be the action of the State on the economy.

Severim de Morais stated that being the country's private sector still incipient, the Government finds it necessary to intervene on it in order to strengthen it as the only way to create a strong national economic and business basis, required for the sustainable development of the country.

He also spoke of the need for a mechanism for permanent and structured dialogue between the private sector and the Government, coupled with a major involvement of the State in the solution to constraints that affect the good performance of the private sector.

According to the minister, the Government is committed to the creation of an environment favouring political and macro-economic stability, existence of basic and working infrastructures, know-how and capable institutions.

On the occasion, the minister appealed to the country's businesses to endeavour to create a strong economic and business basis, through a dialogue with the Government.

The meeting was attended by about 300 people from Angola, Mozambique, US, Spain and South Africa.

The first national conference on the private sector closed with the investiture of the managing board of the Angola's Council of Business Associations (CAEA). The event was sponsored by the oil companies Sonangol, Chevron and Eny.

Angola: Government Considers Housing Policy Important to Development

Angola Press Agency (Luanda), 27 November 2008

Angolan minister of Urbanisation and Housing, Diankumpuna Sita José, Thursday in Luanda considered the Government's housing policy as an important component for the country's social and economic development.

The minister was addressing the opening of the forum on "Path for Angola's Development" being attended by professionals of the sector.

With this policy, the Government is seeking to create great opportunities for the establishment of mutually advantageous partnerships between the public operators and the private sector concerned.

The minister added that partnership could be established at the level of funding and elaboration of cartographic and topographic bases and financing for studies of urbanising conceptions for the areas.

He said the partnerships could also be developed at the level of financing and joint execution of housing units at controlled costs, construction of communitarian urban equipments, drinking water supplying, pluvial drainage and electricity systems and others.

According to him, the most recent studies on the country's demographic evolution indicate the emergence, in the 2008/2012 period, of more than one million new families distributed in urban and rural areas which, he added, creates the need for new houses.

Sita José stated as well that based on global information provided by the electoral registration process, complementary inquiries are in progress, aimed at indicative data on the families levels of revenues in Angola.

About six million people are estimated to be living in Luanda which, the minister said, "means a concentration of about one third of the Angolan population, a non-recommendable trend."

All projects made until now, according to the minister, indicate that Luanda is on the list of the world's mega cities, with a population oscillating around 2.5 million to 15 million inhabitants, as a result of the demographic growth trend.

On the other hand, the official said that a careful observation of the occupation of the urban lands show that 80 percent of the urban population is established in compounds considered as precarious or informal settlements, a trend that will remain unaddressed, unless measures to reverse the situation are taken.

He stated that the Ministry of Urbanisation and Housing started this year the implementation and structuring of the Integrate Programme on Constitution and Urbanisation of Municipal Land Reserves, with stress to the promotion of houses of social interest.

Sita José added that of the 100,000 hectares identified at the national level, only about 32,800 will cover the urban goals for the 2008/20012 period.

The minister also stated that with the fund of about Akz 60 billion allotted from the State Budget for 2009, for the housing promotion programme, arrangement of the territory and urbanisation, operations of urban lotting can be started to respond to the needs of about 390,000 inhabitants.

The forum comprising three panels is to discuss such topics as housing credit, financing of public/private partnerships, housing tax, housing foment law, challenges of housing promotion and re-qualification of the Luanda city and other matters.

Angolan president says new constitution a priority

By Henrique Almeida, LUANDA (Reuters), Sat 29 Nov 2008

Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos called on Friday for a new constitution to allow the first presidential poll in almost two decades, a vote he is widely expected to win.

Dos Santos, who has ruled the oil-producing African country for 29 years, said the new constitution might decree that a president is elected by parliament instead of by popular vote, as is currently the case.

Such a move alarms some opposition parties, who say the changes would be unconstitutional and would almost guarantee dos Santos would be re-elected as president since his party clinched more than 81 percent of the vote in a parliamentary election in September, "That would make things a lot easier for dos Santos," said Vicente Pinto de Andrade, an independent candidate for president, citing the ruling MPLA party's more than two-thirds majority in parliament.

"There are limits to what can be changed in the new constitution and one of those limits is the way a president is elected. Any changes to that law would be unconstitutional."

Dos Santos said the new legislation would define the best path to follow.

"Only then will we have the conditions to announce a calendar for the presidential election," he told his ruling MPLA party in a broadcast on Radio Nacional de Angola.

Dos Santos said the new constitution. of which he gave no details, should be approved in 2009. The president has often said Angola, one of Africa's fastest growing economies, needs to reform its laws to reinforce democracy.

The last presidential poll took place during a lull in fighting in 1992. Late UNITA rebel leader Jonas Savimbi lost and the conflict resumed. He was killed in 2002.

Angola's economy has been growing in double digits since the end of the war and it now rivals Nigeria as sub-Saharan Africa's biggest oil producer.

However, almost two-thirds of the 16.5 million-strong population survive on less than $2 day.

Dos Santos said the fight against poverty would remain a priority. His government is to spend one-third of next year's $42 billion budget to improve the lives of ordinary Angolans.

"Our priority will continue to be to improve education, health, housing, water and sewage systems and the fight against poverty," said dos Santos.

Les lignes maritimes en pleine réorganisation dans l'ocean Indien

CLICANOO.COM | Publié le 23 novembre 2008

PORTS. Avec la décision du groupe CMA-CGM de réformer sa ligne en direction de l’Australie sans plus faire escale à La Réunion et celle de créer une nouvelle desserte des ports des Mascareignes, le transport maritime de la zone est en plein chamboulement.

CMA-CGM, géant maritime, modifie en profondeur sa desserte de l’océan Indien. En faisant de Djibouti son hub de transbordement à destination des ports des Mascareignes, sa filiale Delmas va réduire la voilure des navires arrivant à La Réunion. La nouvelle ligne Mascareignes Express, de courte distance, devrait être assurée d’ici la fin du mois par quatre navires d’une capacité d’entre 1 300 et 1 700 EVP (*). Les escales se feront chaque semaine aux Seychelles, Maurice, Madagascar, Mayotte et La Réunion. Désormais, il faudra compte une quarantaine de jours depuis Le Havre pour gagner le département au lieu de 21 jours. À cela s’ajoute la décision du groupe de refondre sa ligne Nemo (Nord Europe Méditerranée Océanie). Cette dernière relie désormais directement l’Europe à l’Australie en passant par le canal de Suez, sans faire escale ni à La Réunion, ni à Maurice. Or, c’est la décision de cette même compagnie en octobre 2007 d’utiliser nos quais comme port de transbordement dans l’océan Indien, qui avait fait nettement augmenter ce segment de l’activité. En 2007, le nombre de conteneurs en transit pour d’autres destinations avait presque doublé (6 497 EVP). La lancée s’est poursuivie en 2008.

Un trafic “versatile”

Du coup, Port-Réunion, en tout cas le concessionnaire la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie, qui comptait sur l’engorgement de Port-Louis et une productivité plus grande afin de croquer dans le marché du transbordement dans la zone, doit revoir ses prévisions à la baisse. Certes, le trafic de transbordement reste minoritaire, mais c’est un manque à gagner. Alain Gaudin, président de la commission port à la CCIR, concessionnaire de Port-Réunion, compte sur “un changement de stratégie de la compagnie maritime”. Il espère également que “les autres compagnies ne suivent pas le même chemin (2)”. Les investissements consentis pour améliorer le traitement des conteneurs (quatrième portique arrivé en 2007) et l’extension des zones de stockages, qui vont passer “de 12,7 hectares à 17 hectares d’ici quatre à cinq mois, il nous reste encore des aménagements à terminer (N.D.L.R. : pour un coût de plus de 3 millions d’euros)”, ne seront pourtant pas inutiles. Et pour cause, le trafic n’a pas vocation à se tarir. Les besoins d’une population toujours en augmentation devraient soutenir la croissance (plus de 5 % par an en moyenne depuis dix ans), mais ce secteur risque fortement de chuter. Pour Jean de La Perrière, président du syndicat des entrepreneurs de manutention portuaire, le marché du transbordement est “versatile”. Il poursuit : “Nous sommes plus compétitifs sur le plan technique et opérationnel que Port-Louis, mais plus cher. En revanche, nous pouvons espérer capter une partie du trafic lorsque Port Louis est embouteillée”. Pour Jean-Marie Coupu, le directeur des Affaires maritimes, cette décision est “une clarification, puisque la régularité du service reste un vrai enjeu pour le monde économique réunionnais”. Il poursuit : “Par ailleurs, La Réunion sera desservie avant Maurice, où les retards sont monnaie courante”. Quant à Mayotte, c’est “un vrai plus”. En l’espace de trois ans, CMA-CGM a modifié quatre fois sa desserte de l’île et de l’océan Indien. Preuve de l’aspect changeant des lignes commerciales maritimes.

(1) : Équivalent vingt pieds est une unité de mesure de conteneur. (2) : Maersk transborde à Salaalah et MSC a une liaison directe sur l’île.

Will Malema cost ANC votes?

By Gaye Davis, November 17 2008

The ANC is on the horns of a dilemma - and its name is Julius Malema. Just how to deal with the firebrand ANC Youth League (ANCYL) leader is now expected to occupy the ANC's National Executive Committee when it meets this weekend.

With his militant style and wild rhetoric, Malema is understood to be causing concern about what he is costing the ANC in the run-up to next year's national and provincial elections.

Malema has repeatedly been asked to hold his tongue - but the muzzle is soon off again with another provocative pronouncement.

Last week, after a period of relative restraint, Malema accused the Northern Cape premier of being "bought" by business while she sat near him on the same podium.

And more recently, he disparaged Congress of the People (COPE) co-leader and former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa as a security guard and claimed he was delinquent over child-support payments.

But Malema's comments provide COPE with a ready stick with which to beat the ANC as it mobilises to set itself up as a party true to the values and principles which it says the mother ship has abandoned.

COPE strategists are aware that Malema's comments sit uneasily with older, more conservative ANC supporters who are sickened by his war-talk and the disrespect he shows for his elders. And they are aware that his antics do not endear himself to many young South Africans who will vote for the first time in next year's polls. Malema's infamous comments in June that the youth were "ready to kill" for ANC president Jacob Zuma have come back to haunt him.

"All we would like is for Malema to go on air as much as possible," a COPE source said. "He serves us well."

Malema's frequent utterances at one point gave the impression that the tail was wagging the dog - that the youth league, the ANC's training wing for cadres, was in charge and setting the tone for the party.

But the ANC's dilemma is that its president, Zuma, would arguably not be where he is today were it not for the efforts of the youth league in the run-up to its Polokwane conference, where former party leader Thabo Mbeki was toppled.

Zuma this weekend said he had advised Malema to tone things down, as questions arose about internal discipline within the party in the wake of Malema's comments about Shilowa and the violent disruption of a Cope meeting in KwaZulu Natal last week.

Zuma told the SABC's Current Affairs programme he was aware of Malema's comments about Shilowa - who was once a security guard at the Star newspaper before helping to build the trades union federation Cosatu and rising to become Gauteng premier. He said he would address the issue with Malema when they met.

But NEC members, who are concerned about the impact Malema is having, believe he is becoming an expensive liability in terms of political support.

Zuma has in the past defended Malema by saying that he is still young and learning the political ropes.

He has used the example of former president Nelson Mandela, saying he, too, was a firebrand youth leader who challenged the ANC leadership of his time.

But NEC members have told the Daily News they do not believe it is helpful to compare Malema with Mandela's example as a leader of the ANCYL because it feeds into Malema's sense of self-importance and has the undesired result of encouraging him to behave the way he does.

At this weekend's meeting, the NEC is expected to come up with a way of dealing with Malema's outbursts.

This article was originally published on page 2 of Daily News on November 17, 2008

Un nouveau rapport de la Commission évalue les atouts du commerce européen dans une économie mondiale en évolution

Bruxelles, 27 octobre 2008

Un nouveau rapport de la Commission européenne a évalué la compétitivité de l’Union européenne après dix ans de mutation économique rapide. Depuis le milieu des années 1990, une importante redistribution des parts de marché s’est déroulée entre les pays émergents et les pays développés, mais aussi entre les pays développés eux-mêmes. Dans cet environnement hautement concurrentiel, l’UE a globalement maintenu sa part de marché mondiale, alors que les États-Unis et le Japon ont cédé du terrain. L’UE reste le premier exportateur mondial de biens manufacturés et domine les marchés des produits de haute qualité. Le rapport la met toutefois en garde: elle doit axer ses investissements sur le secteur manufacturier de haute technologie et continuer à accroître ses parts de marché dans les économies asiatiques en croissance rapide. Le rapport renforce les arguments économiques sous-tendant la stratégie commerciale internationale pour l’Europe lancée en 2006 par la Commission européenne.

Principaux éléments du rapport:
Grâce à certains de ses atouts clés, comme les produits chimiques ou pharmaceutiques, les véhicules automobiles et les machines et équipements non électriques, la balance commerciale des biens manufacturés de l’Union européenne s’est nettement améliorée et a enregistré en 2007 un excédent de 162 milliards d’euros. L’augmentation constante de l’excédent commercial (+ 105 milliards d’euros depuis 2000) a permis de compenser partiellement la hausse de la facture énergétique de l’UE, dont le déficit s’est creusé de 137 milliards d’euros pendant cette même période.
Pour ce qui est du commerce de marchandises (hors énergie), la part de l’UE s’élève à 19,5 % du marché mondial, soit une baisse de seulement 1,3 point de pourcentage depuis 1995. Les pertes de parts de marché sont beaucoup plus importantes pour les États-Unis et le Japon, puisque ces pays enregistrent respectivement des baisses de 4,4 et 4,1 points de pourcentage. Actuellement, les États-Unis et le Japon représentent respectivement 13,0 % et 9,5 % du marché mondial.
Deux tiers des importations de l’UE (hors énergie) sont des «intrants» utilisés dans les processus manufacturiers. Cela démontre très clairement que l’UE dans son ensemble est fortement tributaire de l’ouverture des marchés pour les intrants nécessaires à son secteur manufacturier et que l’existence de chaînes d’approvisionnement ouvertes fait partie intégrante de ses atouts dans ce domaine.
Les excellentes performances de l’UE sont dues à l’amélioration de la qualité de ses marchandises, associée à la capacité des entreprises européennes à vendre des produits aux prix les plus élevés en raison de leur qualité, de leur marque et des services qui y sont liés. L’UE totalise un tiers des produits de haute qualité, qui représentent la moitié des exportations communautaires de biens manufacturés. S’appuyer sur cette capacité à vendre aux prix les plus élevés est la seule manière de défendre les niveaux d’emploi, de salaire et de protection sociale existant dans l’Union.
La performance de l’UE pour les produits de haute technologie est décevante et légèrement inférieure à sa part de marché totale. Étant donné son niveau de développement, l’UE devrait obtenir de meilleurs résultats dans ce secteur. Cette situation est source d’interrogations sur la capacité de l’UE à maintenir demain ses produits à la pointe de la qualité et de l’innovation.
L’UE a perdu d’importantes parts de marché dans certaines économies émergentes en croissance rapide, en particulier en Asie. Sur le long terme, cette sous-performance sur certains des marchés les plus prometteurs pourrait fragiliser la position générale de l’UE dans le commerce international. La nouvelle génération d’accords de libre-échange avec l’Inde, la Corée et l’ANASE vise directement à tenter de contrecarrer cette évolution.
L’UE est le premier exportateur de services avec 26,9 % du marché mondial, contre 19,7 % pour les États-Unis et 6,1 % pour le Japon. L’Union européenne est aussi le plus grand investisseur au monde et le principal bénéficiaire des investissements étrangers. Si l’on exclut les stocks intra-UE, l’UE détient 33 % des stocks d’investissements mondiaux et accueille 29 % des investissements effectués dans le monde.

«Global Europe»: une Europe compétitive dans une économie mondialisée

La stratégie commerciale internationale pour l’Europe de la Commission européenne a été lancée en 2006. Cette stratégie repose sur le constat que la force économique de l’Europe réside dans l’accès aux importations pour son secteur manufacturier et dans la compétitivité de ses exportations au niveau mondial. «Global Europe» a réorienté les priorités de la politique commerciale de l’UE afin de tenir compte de ces aspects. Parmi les priorités figurent la garantie de marchés ouverts pour les importations dans l’UE, l’amélioration de l’accès aux marchés pour les exportateurs européens, en particulier sur les marchés asiatiques en pleine croissance, grâce à des mesures ciblées visant à s’attaquer à certains obstacles au commerce et grâce à un accord commercial mondial et à une nouvelle génération d’accords de libre-échange avec les économies d’Asie et, enfin, la mise en œuvre d’actions en vue d’améliorer la protection des droits de propriété intellectuelle à l’échelon mondial, cette protection étant capitale pour les entreprises européennes qui ont beaucoup investi dans la conception et l’innovation. Ce rapport renforce considérablement la logique économique sous-tendant la stratégie «Global Europe».

Lire le rapport

Coopération Réunion / Madagascar

Monsieur Philippe LEYSSENE, Ambassadeur délégué à la coopération régionale dans l’Océan indien et Monsieur Harison Edmond RANDRIARIMANANA, Ministre des Affaires étrangères par intérim, ont signé au nom des gouvernements français et malgache l’accord cadre de coopération entre La Réunion et Madagascar.Monsieur Philippe LEYSSENE, Ambassadeur délégué à la coopération régionale dans l’Océan indien et Monsieur Harison Edmond RANDRIARIMANANA, Ministre des Affaires étrangères par intérim, ont signé au nom des gouvernements français et malgache l’accord cadre de coopération entre La Réunion et Madagascar.

La France confirme ainsi son engagement pour le développement de Madagascar dans des secteurs essentiels, conformément au Document cadre de partenariat signé en mai 2006 :

aménagement du territoire et gouvernance territoriale,
développement rural,
éducation et formation professionnelle,
environnement et énergies renouvlables,
culture et sports,
santé et recherche médicale,
technologies de l’information et de la communication,
sécurité publique,
protection civile, gestion des risques et coopération maritime.

Les autorités françaises et malgaches affichent leur volonté de promouvoir une politique de coopération régionale s’inscrivant dans une politique de développement durable, associant les institutions, les administrations et les collectivités locales de La Réunion et de Madagascar, ainsi que les opérateurs économiques et la société civile.

Cet accord cadre a été signé en présence du Préfet de La Réunion, Monsieur Pierre-Henry MACCIONI, de Madame Nassimah DINDAR, Présidente du Conseil général de La Réunion et de Monsieur Wilfrid BERTILE, Vice-président du Conseil Régional de La Réunion.

Par ailleurs, Madame Nassimah DINDAR et Monsieur Marius RATOLOJANAHARY, Ministre de l’Agriculture, de l’Elevage et de la Pêche par intérim, ont signé un accord de coopération dans le secteur agricole. La France, via la Réunion et Madagascar s’engagent à promouvoir les échanges d’informations, d’expertises et de savoir-faire pour l’organisation et le fonctionnement des structures agricoles de développement et notamment les coopératives agricoles. Cet accord prévoit également un appui aux groupements de producteurs et à la structuration des filières de production, de transformation et de commercialisation.

Construction durable : la zone Océan Indien en 3e position

CLICANOO.COM | Publié le 22 novembre 2008

Chapeau bas à la matière grise péi. Avec trois projets de construction, donnant la part belle à l’environnement, la zone Océan Indien se place en troisième position dans le monde. C’est ce que révèlent les Holcim Awards.

Holcim, un des leaders mondiaux du ciment et du granulat, organise son propre concours. Ouvert au monde entier, il distingue les meilleurs projets de construction. Selon un paramètre essentiel, le développement durable, au coeur de toutes les préoccupations.

Les 5 P résument les objectifs : progrès, personnes, planète, prospérité et profitabilité. Sur les 4 774 projets présentés, trois projets réunionnais se retrouvent dans le peloton de tête, les 1 875 candidatures reçues qui remplissent les critères de sélection.

On apprend ainsi avec surprise et satisfaction qu’en considérant le ratio nombre de projets par nombre d’habitants, la zone océan Indien se classe en troisième position sur le plan international… Une bonne publicité que l’on doit notamment aux architectes Antoine Perrau et Michel Reynaud.

Leurs plans d’un futur collège à Mont Roquefeuil ont séduit le jury. Une esthétique réussie renvoyant à des voiles de bateau, qui se mêle parfaitement à l’environnement. Les arguments “durables” ne manquent pas : ventilation traversante, protection des façades, production d’eau chaude solaire, électricité photovoltaïque, récupération des eaux de pluie, traitement des eaux grises, infiltration des eaux sur site…

Bref, si ce collège voit le jour, il sera l’exemple d’un bâtiment écologiquement et économiquement très performant.

Laurent Lassauge a planché lui sur son concept de “maison neuve”. Une case certes, mais toute dévouée à la planète, partant d’un précepte de base “sobriété-efficacité”.

Enfin, la station d’observation du Maïdo, destiné à émerger en 2010, est un projet remarquablement respectueux de la nature. Il respecte la démarche haute qualité environnementale. Déjà un vrai challenge, dans ce lieu isolé, à 2150 mètres d’altitude, en plein coeur du Parc national.

Lors de la remise des certificats hier, ces bâtisseurs du futur ont mis en avant la difficulté de voir aboutir ces constructions durables. Par exemple, certains produits, comme les tuiles solaires ne sont pas livrées à la Réunion : le marché reste trop limité pour les gros fournisseurs.

Les avis techniques, documents impératifs pour les assurances, n’arrivent pas jusqu’aux Dom-Tom.

Sans parler de l’infernale paperasse en ce qui concerne les aides. Autant de complications qui tendent à décourager et irriter les volontés les plus tenaces.

Cooperation UE/Madagascar: Les APE au menu

Madagascar Tribune, mercredi 12 novembre 2008

L'Accord de Partenariat Economique ou APE entre l’Europe et Madagascar est encore en négociation. Ce traité est censé garantir la stabilité des échanges. L’Union européenne reste un grand partenaire économique de Madagascar. « Les accords de partenariat économique constituent un cadre de sécurisation des échanges commerciaux avec l’Union européenne », avance Jean Claude Boidin, ambassadeur, chef de la délégation de la Commission européenne à Madagascar, face à quelques membres de l’administration malgache, du corps diplomatique et du secteur privé. Dans le cadre de cet accord, les pays européens offrent aux pays de l’ACP un accès totalement libre sans droits de douanes et sans aucune restriction à son marché. Tous les produits qui connaissent encore des limites quantitatives ou des contraintes de calendrier dans l’accord de Cotonou seront désormais affranchis. Sauf pour le sucre et le riz, pour lesquels une période de transition est prévue. Cet accord donne un accès libre aux fruits, légumes, céréales, produits laitiers, rhum, fleurs coupées, tomates en boîtes et autres. C’est une mesure avantageuse dans la mesure ou plus de 40 % des exportations de Madagascar vont vers l’Europe. De plus, c’est un traité international ratifié et notifié par l’Organisation mondiale du commerce. Il garantit une stabilité juridique des conditions de l’échange mais en même temps offre une prévisibilité à très long terme. L’accord intérimaire qui est en vigueur actuellement reste, cependant, incomplet. C’est un accord qui ne tient pas compte des réalités de la mondialisation et de la dématérialisation des échanges dans le futur. Toutefois, les versions définitives de l’APE sont conçues comme des accords généraux qui contribueront à la mise en place de marchés régionaux et à la diversification des économies dans chaque région ACP. Les résultats obtenus dans les négociations jusqu’ à ce jour militent en faveur d’une certaine réorientation des structures et du contenu du texte de l’APE :

Souvent les réunions techniques ont beaucoup des difficultés à trouver des consensus sur des points qui représentent des intérêts particuliers pour les régions et la coopération même entre les deux parties. Sur ce point, il s’avère nécessaire de requérir davantage des décisions politiques. Ainsi, nous estimons que l’idée de renforcer la Troïka qui existe déjà au niveau du Groupe ACP pour négocier au plus haut niveau avec la Partie Européenne ne peut qu’être bénéfique pour la conclusion d’un APE qui tienne compte des intérêts des deux parties.

Les deux parties ont convenu des objectifs de l’APE qui devrait servir avant tout un instrument de développement pour les pays ACP. L’APE devrait solutionner, entre autres, les contraintes de l’offre des produits exportables pour que les ACP puissent bénéficier pleinement des préférences commerciales. Par ailleurs, pour atteindre le développement, des projets prioritaires devraient être mis en œuvre au plus tôt dans différents domaines et dans les différents secteurs identifiés au niveau de chaque pays et chaque région. Ceci nécessite la mobilisation des financements nécessaires à travers le fonds FED, le fonds d’Aide au commerce où d’autres financements dotés d’un montant approprié ;

La mise en place d’une Zone de Libre Echange asymétrique entre les pays ACP et l’UE devrait se faire en synergie avec le développement des échanges régionaux. Il est apparu toutefois, que dans la négociation des APE, une certaine scission se dessine au niveau des pays membres d’un groupement régional. Le sommet devrait lancer un signal fort que chaque pays gagne à préserver la cohésion du groupe ACP et à rester au niveau du groupement régional au sein duquel il a initié la négociation des APE. Enfin, Madagascar adopte, sans réserve la Déclaration d’Accra.

Les Africains doivent affronter des "gouvernements aveugles" au sujet des APE

HARARE , Stanley Kwenda (IPS), 14/11/2008

Les gouvernements africains ont été critiqués pour avoir "aveuglément" négocié les Accords de partenariat économique (APE) controversés sans avoir pris le soin d'informer "les citoyens ordinaires" sur ce qu'ils étaient en train de négocier.

Les politiciens, qui se sont réunis à Genève dans le cadre des rencontres de l'Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) et à Bruxelles pour les pourparlers relatifs aux APE, devraient savoir qu'ils sont là au nom de leurs citoyens et non pour eux-mêmes, a déclaré Rangarirai Machemedze, directeur de l'Institut d'informations et de négociations commerciales de l'Afrique australe et orientale (SEATINI). SEATINI aide au renforcement des capacités africaines dans les pourparlers sur le commerce mondial.

IPS l'a interviewé lors d'une "rencontre de réflexion sur l'état de l'économie et les alternatives durables", organisée la semaine dernière par la Coalition zimbabwéenne sur la dette et le développement (ZIMCODD) dans la capitale zimbabwéenne, Harare. La ZIMCODD est une coalition d'organisations de la société civile zimbabwéenne partageant les mêmes idéaux et travaillant dans le domaine du commerce et du développement économique.

"Si les ressources le permettent, nous devons sensibiliser les gens sur ce que leurs gouvernements négocient pour eux", a confié Machemedze à IPS.

La ZIMCODD organise des rencontres pour essayer de colmater les brèches. "L'objectif principal de cette rencontre est d'essayer de donner aux participants une idée claire du fonctionnement de l'économie d'un pays au sein de l'économie mondiale. Nous voulons les aider à comprendre et leur donner une idée claire du marché mondial", a indiqué à IPS, Dakarayi Matanga, directeur de ZIMCODD.

L'une de ces personnes est Sarah Mwandiyambira, une commerçante transfrontalière zimbabwéenne. Elle avait entendu parler des APE auparavant, mais elle n'a pas eu l'occasion d'avoir une explication appropriée afin de comprendre ce qu'ils sont et ce qu'ils représentent en réalité.

A un moment donné, elle avait presque fondu en larmes lorsqu'on lui a donné des informations sur le fonctionnement des APE une fois qu'ils seront signés et deviendront des instruments liant l'Union européenne (UE) et les pays africains.

"C'est effroyable. On doit faire quelque chose pour arrêter les APE. Je ne suis qu'une mère célibataire qui dépend du commerce transfrontalier pour envoyer mes enfants à l'école".

Les APE ont été critiqués pour avoir ouvert trop facilement les marchés des pays africains aux produits en provenance de l'UE, détruisant de ce fait la production locale -- qu'elle soit agricole ou industrielle.

Les efforts de l'UE visant à imposer de nouvelles dispositions telles que l'égalité de traitement des entreprises locales et étrangères lorsqu'il s'agit de la passation des marchés par les gouvernements, la libéralisation des services et autres dispositions, ont suscité également des protestations.

Mwandiyambira a déclaré : "Je ne peux pas concevoir que ce soit ce que nos gouvernements négocient pour nous. Je pense que si tous les zimbabwéens sont sensibilisés sur ces APE, ils les désapprouveront. Ils sont seulement là pour nous arracher nos moyens économiques. Après ces discussions, je peux vous dire qu'il s'agit d'un problème sérieux que nous Africains prenons à la légère".

Un autre participant, Sekai Saungweme, consultant juridique et chercheur basé à Harare, ne faisait que fustiger le gouvernement zimbabwéen après avoir compris tous les contours des APE : "C'est un scénario très triste et l'on se demande dans quoi nos gouvernants sont en train de se mettre. Qu'est-ce qu'ils avaient en tête lorsqu'ils ont paraphé les APE? Pourquoi ont-ils paraphé un accord aussi vicié?"

Machemedze a encouragé les gouvernements africains à se mettre ensemble pour aborder les négociations, qui ont été signées à titre provisoire, mais restent à finaliser.

Les gouvernements africains ne font pas ce qu'ils devraient faire, a insisté Machemedze. Il accuse également les gouvernements européens et autres puissances occidentales d'utiliser des tactiques de division ainsi que la politique du bâton et de la carotte dans les négociations commerciales.

"C'est un problème colonial. Les puissantes nations utilisent la tactique du diviser pour régner. Par exemple, si un pays africain recherche un financement pour construire un barrage, on lui dit que s'il veut le financement, il doit appuyer les APE", a prétendu Machemedze, qui participe aux négociations commerciales depuis quatre ans.

"Des coups de fil à minuit sont fréquents lors de ces rencontres. Il n'y a pas de négociations équitables. Les négociateurs africains reçoivent des visites nocturnes dans leurs chambres d'hôtel et on leur promet toute sorte d'aide".

Machemedze soutient également que même avec l'existence d'un tribunal arbitral à l'OMC, les pays africains ne pourront pas poursuivre les pays européens en raison du montant élevé des ressources que nécessitent de telles affaires.

Il croit que le Zimbabwe "devrait se retirer du commerce international. Les gens pourraient dire que nous sommes dans un village planétaire, mais qu'est-ce que l'Afrique en tire? Nous devons d'abord construire nos marchés locaux et ensuite, commercer à une échelle où nous pouvons le faire durablement".

Il a suggéré que les pays africains renforcent leurs marchés locaux et essaient ensuite d'établir des liens commerciaux avec les géants économiques émergents tels que le Brésil, l'Argentine et l'Inde. "Au moins, ils peuvent s'identifier à ses économies émergentes et apprendre de ces pays", a conclu Machemedze.

Angola: MPs Weigh Up Importance of Bio-Fuels

Angola Press Agency (Luanda), 21 November 2008

The production of bio-fuels in Angola represents a challenge to the Government that has as its strategic priority the fight against poverty that affects most of the population, as a result of the 30-year civil war that devastated the country.

This was said Wednesday in São Paulo, Brazil, by Angolan MP and deputy secretary of the National Assembly (Parliament), Emília Carlota Celestino Dias, during a parliamentary round table that focused on "Parliaments and Bio-fuel".

As a result of the war, she said, the populations abandoned the rural areas and agriculture ceased being a development factor as the areas with great agricultural potential are still mined and people afraid to settle in certain localities.

In order to reverse the situation, the official said, Angolan Government is carrying out, in a sustainable way, the programme of demining and relocation of the populations.

It is also making big investments in the sectors of agriculture and farming with a view to boosting development of sources of renewable raw materials and clean energy, for the foment of job in the rural area.

"With the end of the war, six years ago, the implementation of these Government measures constitute an incentive to the return of the populations to the areas of cultivation and thus Angola will resume its normal cycle of production," the MP stressed.

She recalled that in the past Angola produced sugar from which it would extract ethanol then used in hospitals.

Emília Carlota Celestino Dias is at the head of Angolan delegation attending the International Conference of bio-fuels. Other members of the team are Maria da Conceição Pinto and Mateus Isabel Júnior.

The round table that gathered representatives of 14 countries, totalling 48 MPs, admitted the need for regular such meetings. The event was on the sidelines of the ongoing conference for concert of viewpoints about the legislation on bio-fuels production.

Infrastructure sector to face skills shortage for another decade

By: Chanel Pringle, 11/11/2008

The skills shortage in South Africa’s infrastructure sector is likely to continue for at least the next ten years, despite the effects of the global economic slowdown leading to a delay in many projects, executive search firm Landelahni Business Leaders said on Tuesday.

Landelahni CEO Sandra Burmeister noted that this was if investment in skills training and development continued at current levels.

She asserted that South Africa’s skills challenges were very much in line with what was happening on a global level.

While there were a number of trends leading to the global skills shortage, Burmeister said that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has determined that technology was the single biggest driver of skills shortages.

She added that the ILO had further determined that about 70 professions would become obsolete by as early as 2010, because of technological advances.

However, about 100 new roles would be developed as a result of this.

Meanwhile, Burmeister stated that the infrastructure sector in South Africa has made progress in increasing its investment in skills training and bursaries, but noted that more needed to be done.

A survey conducted by Landelahni showed that training spend by the infrastructure sector was higher than the average of all other industries.

Bursary spend had been between 0,5% and 1% of payroll since 1990, however, this has increased in rand terms over the past three years. The number of black people being trained was almost on par with the average of all other industries.

Civil engineering graduates had increased to 1 199 in 2006, compared with only 507 in 2003.

Further, 9 041 artisans had been given trade tests between 1986 and 2006, with only 42%, or 3 222, passing the tests.

However, South Africa required about 50 000 artisans to be trained over the next four years, just to meet demand from industry.

Burmeister commented that both government and the private sector had to significantly increase investment in artisan training, as the current artisan skills pool was also ageing, which would add to the shortage.

Meanwhile, she asserted that the industry also had to determine exactly which skills it required, as there was currently no information available on which specific disciplines within the engineering and artisan fields, were required.

Further, Burmeister noted that small and medium-sized contractors, especially in the construction sector, were exacerbating the skills shortage, as they did not have the capacity to develop skills.

The large contractors and parastatals would have to continue contributing the major investment share for skills training.

Burmeister concluded that the infrastructure sector would have to find an innovative approach to the recruitment of staff. For example, employers could make use of retired contractors or foreign nationals to run infrastructure projects, while also training new recruits.

Landelahni Business Leaders is a division of the Landelahni Recruitment group.

Fitch's lower SA rating inaccurate, says treasury

By Bloomberg and Donwald Pressly, Business Report, 11/11/2008

Johannesburg, Cape Town - The treasury has criticised Fitch Ratings for lowering the outlook on the nation's credit rating, saying a drop in the rand will help narrow the current account deficit without pushing inflation to new highs.

"The exchange rate is the shock absorber that limits the growth of the current account by increasing the competitiveness of our exports," national treasury director Lesetja Kganyago said yesterday.

Fitch lowered its outlook on South Africa's BBB+ rating, the third-lowest investment-grade level, to negative from stable yesterday on concern that the nation will struggle to finance its current account deficit as the global financial crisis dries up investment.

Finance minister Trevor Manuel said on October 21 that the shortfall was expected to reach 7.6 percent of gross domestic product this year.

The rand has fallen more than 30 percent against the dollar this year as investors sold almost R62 billion more than they bought of the country's assets. Fitch said the depreciation of the rand might stoke inflation, which has exceeded the central bank's 6 percent ceiling for 18 consecutive months.

Fitch should "point out that the fall in the currency has been accompanied by an even bigger drop in the oil price", said Kganyago. "They raise inflation concerns, but the fact is South Africa is running negative real interest rates."

Inflation slowed for the first time in more than a year in September, easing to 13 percent from a record 13.6 percent the previous month, Statistics SA said on October 29. The Reserve Bank has raised its key interest rate 10 times since June 2006 to a five-year high of 12 percent to curb the rate of price growth.

Fitch said the slump in the currency might push up interest rates, putting the economy at risk of a "hard landing".

According to Brian Coulton, a credit analyst at Fitch, the ratings company expects the South African economy to expand by between 1 percent and 2 percent next year.

The treasury forecast 3.7 percent growth this year and 3 percent next year, according to the mid-term budget statement released on October 21.

"At the heart of my disagreement is the fact that ratings agencies are supposed to base their outlook on long-term factors," said Kganyago. "We don't share their view of our ability to absorb the shock of a global recession."

Brait economist Colen Garrow said it was significant that Fitch had not delivered a notch downgrade, which would have placed government investment from abroad in jeopardy, but rather an outlook downgrade.

T-Sec economist Mike Schussler said rating agencies were trying to cover themselves now, after making mistakes in the past. Emerging markets including South Africa were feeling the heat. He agreed with the treasury that the decision would not change the macroeconomic outlook, although it was arguable that the country's growth outlook might deteriorate somewhat.

Angola's Property Market Thrives Despite Crisis

By Henrique Almeida / Reuters - The Moscow Times, LUANDA - 11/11/2008

Forget Moscow and London -- the world's most expensive property may soon be in Angola, where the sizzling real estate market has sailed through the global financial crisis and is expected to continue to thrive in coming years, executives and analysts say.

Property values, particularly in the capital, Luanda, have skyrocketed amid an oil-fueled economic boom that came at the end of a 27-year civil war, making the city one of the world's most expensive in which to live.

One-bedroom apartments start at $7,000 a month, and it is not uncommon for expatriates to pay $20,000 a month for something more luxurious. Demand for office space has also been frothy, tripling in the last three years, according to Colliers International, an Australian real estate firm.

A shortage of modern buildings, coupled with growing demand for housing for foreign workers, promises to keep real estate one of the hottest and most profitable sectors of the African nation's economy, after oil.

"Everyone wants to be here. I predict growth in real estate prices during the next three years," said Jose Camargo, head of the Angolan real estate unit of Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.

The country's almost three-decade-long civil war, which began shortly after Angola won its independence from Portugal in 1975, ended in 2002 with the death of rebel leader Jonas Savimbi.

Since then, Angola, which rivals Nigeria as sub-Saharan Africa's biggest oil producer, has embarked on a massive reconstruction program, buoyed by rising oil production, a jump in world oil prices and billions in foreign investment.

Angola's government said last month that steep falls in world oil prices would not derail its plans to spend billions to fight poverty and spur economic growth. Benchmark U.S. crude was trading at about $64 on Monday -- less than half the July peak.

Angola's focus has mostly been on rebuilding ports, railways and other key infrastructure for the oil-centered economy, but the government has also earmarked funds for the construction of office and apartment buildings as well as hotels.

Dozens of construction cranes dot Luanda's skyline.

The Bay of Luanda is currently being revamped with a $2 billion facelift that will spawn new hotels, apartment buildings and other businesses along its historic but neglected shoreline.

The construction craze is likely to dent but not solve the shortage of apartments and office space, and prices are expected to remain at the lofty end of the spectrum.

"There is a huge gap between supply and demand, and that is the main factor pushing prices," said Nelson Rego, the head of Angolan real estate consultancy firm Proprime.

Unlike real estate markets in the United States, Britain and elsewhere, which have slumped due to the credit crunch, Angola's market has been buoyed by heavy inflows of foreign investment and strong economic growth.

The economy grew by about 20 percent last year and is expected to expand by another 15 percent this year.

Investors see the country as a stable emerging market with a government that has embraced pro-business policies, and the ruling MPLA's landslide victory in a parliamentary election last month ensured that the direction would not change radically.

"Angola is one of many places that are moving against the current economic cycle," said Helder Bataglia, the chairman of Portuguese conglomerate Escom, Angola's biggest non-oil investor.

The government, however, is under pressure to do more to spread the benefits of economic growth to Angola's 16.5 million people, many of whom live in run-down shantytowns that lack electricity, running water and sewage facilities.

Residents in Luanda, home to one-third of the population, often have no option other than to squat in derelict buildings in the city center. Renovating these prized areas could ease the housing shortage and perhaps keep a lid on prices.

An opportunity to do so could emerge in coming years as President Jose Eduardo dos Santos' government embarks on a plan to build one million homes for the poor at a cost of $50 billion.

Yet some Luandans say they will resist an offer to move.

"Why should I?" says Ricardo, 17, who lives on the 18th floor of the Lagoa building, one of the most famous of Luanda's run-down housing blocks.

"Where else can I wake up and have this beautiful view of the bay of Luanda? It's all I have."

Angola ready to strengthen ties with Zambia

Angola has re-affirmed its committment to boosting economic ties with Zambia and other countries in the SADC region.

Angolan Ambassador to Zambia Pedro De Morais Neto says regional integration is key to economic development.

He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news in Lusaka ahead of his country's national day which falls on Tuesday.

The Angolan envoy said his country is ready to enhance economic cooperation with Zambia and the entire SADC grouping.

Ambassador Morais Neto also said Angola's economy has registered positive growth over the past few years following the end of the civil war.

Angola got its independence from Portugal in 1975.

Fitch revises SA’s rating outlook to negative

By Esmarie Swanepoel, 10 Nov 08

Ratings agency Fitch’s decision to revise South Africa’s rating outlook was unlikely to result in the downgrade of the country’s credit rating, the National Treasury said on Monday.

This comes as Fitch revised the country’s ratings outlook from stable to negative, as part of a global review of sovereign ratings of 17 major investment-grade emerging market economies.

In June, Fitch revised South Africa’s outlook from positive to stable.

Fitch affirmed South Africa’s long-term foreign currency ratings of BBB+, and the outlook revision did not constitute a rating downgrade.

“This revision must be seen in the context of the current global financial turmoil and its impact on emerging markets,” the National Treasury said in an issued statement.

The Treasury added that the country’s low-debt ratio, large cash holding and significant foreign exchange reserved cushioned the economy during times of global turbulence.

“South Africa is confident that it would not be downgraded during this period as our economic fundamentals are sound, our policies and robust and our economic institutions vigilant.”

Fitch Ratings Agency senior director Tertius Smith told Engineering News Online that a ratings downgrade would have an impact on pricing, however, a change in the outlook was unlikely to affect the market.

“When an outlook is changed, like it was changed from positive to stable, and then from stable to negative, it generally does not have a big impact on the interest rates and coupons that borrowers would pay,” he said.

The agency downgraded the sovereign ratings of Bulgaria, Hungary, Kazakhstan and Romania, while the ratings outlook for Russia have also been revised from stable to negative.

Smith said that with the revised outlook, Fitch was simply expressing its concern about emerging markets in general. “It has a lot to do with the impact of the anticipated recession next year on these economies. These economies, one way or the other, are very dependent on the developed world for exports. In the case of Korea, it is manufacturing, in the case of Russia, it is oil, and in the case of South Africa, it is minerals.”

He added that South Africa’s reliance on export posed challenges to the macroeconomic environment, and would have an impact on the country’s growth.

Another challenge was South Africa’s heavy current account deficit, which was in excess of 7% of gross domestic product.

“[The current account deficit] is largely funded by portfolio inflows, which means the risk of a ‘hard landing’ and even recession has increased significantly, given the expected reduction in capital and financial inflows to emerging markets,” Fitch said.

The National Treasury reported that capital inflows into the bond market had been strong on the past week, which suggested that international finance conditions were continuing to stabilise.

“Recent foreign direct investment inflows further suggests that South African growth prospects continue to be favourable viewed by foreign investors. The rise in investment from 15% to 22% of the gross domestic product, over the past six years, suggest that potential growth is likely to be higher in the future, and South Africa is well placed to benefit from a recovery in the global economy.”

The National Treasury added that Fitch suggested that if South Africa’s growth slowed down, as it predicted, it would be hard for the authorities to maintain sound macroeconomic and fiscal policy.

“This is not supported by our recent history, and overlooks certain material facts about the current macroeconomic and fiscal frameworks. The current macroeconomic projections of growth, revenue flows, and inflation already take into account of the factors that are raised by the Fitch Ratings Agency.”

Meanwhile, Fitch said that Emerging Europe was the most vulnerable emerging market region to the deterioration in the global financial and economic environment, owing the presence in many countries of large current account deficits and relatively high levels of short-term external debt. This rendered them susceptible to reduced capital and financial market flows, the agency stated.

Since the onset of the credit crunch in August 2007, Fitch had downgraded the foreign currency ratings of nine countries in emerging Europe by a total of 11 notches, compared with just three upgrades. It stated that eight countries were now on negative outlooks - a record level for the region - while no countries were on positive outlooks, signalling that ratings remained under downward pressure.

Think tank 'to get the nation

Sipho Khumalo, IOL, 28 August 2008

A new think tank was launched in Durban on Wednesday as part of a process of capitalising on the spirit of Polokwane to generate political and social economic debate in South Africa.

Called Post-Polokwane Conversations, the KwaZulu-Natal leg of this initiative was launched in Ntuzuma, north of Durban, and was addressed by church, business, trade union and academic personalities.

One of the key movers behind the initiative, Madoda Dhlamini, of Storm Communications, said the project sought to open up debates and add voices to the platform of national debates.

He said the Post-Polokwane Conversations would be roving round-table sessions held in communities around the country. "This is the platform for industry captains, political leadership, opinion champions, church leaders and for the community to interact with each other. We call on all of civic society, academia, corporate and government to join forces to ensure that dialogue and vigorous debate on topics that affect our communities are encouraged in order for our democracy to flourish," he said.

Commenting on the need to open up national discourse, political commentator Sipho Seepe said that during the tenure of President Thabo Mbeki "political power had been consolidated in the hands of the few" - a centralisation of power which had led to centralised thought in society.

"The outcome at Polokwane was against this," said Seepe.

He also attacked the post-1994 ANC government for adopting "the same logic of power" as the apartheid regime by spending money on arms and "creating Bantustans" by allowing Mbeki to centralise power and hand-pick provincial and local government leaders.

He reiterated the need to reclaim the public discourse to "save this country from itself".

Speaking at the launch, Cosatu President Sdumo Dlamini said there was a need to discuss the issue of two centres of power created by the outcome of the Polokwane conference.

Dlamini suggested that the existence of two centres of power - one in office of the president of the country, at the Union Buildings, and one in the office of the ANC president, Jacob Zuma, at Luthuli House - hampered the implementation of the resolutions of the Polokwane conference.

Other chapters of Post-Polokwane Conversations will be launched around the country.

Remove useless ministers, says Zuma

Sibusiso Ngalwa, Sunday Independent, 9 November 2008

Jacob Zuma, the ANC president, has blasted the "slow" pace of government's service delivery and has called for "useless" ministers to be removed, even if it means "breaking friendships".

Zuma was addressing community "opinion makers" in Mitchell's Plain, Cape Town, on Saturday as part of a three-day campaign visit to the Western Cape.

The campaign and voter registration weekend did not go without incidents, as ANC supporters and those of the breakaway Congress of the People - also known as the Shikota movement - apparently clashed in Upington, Northern Cape, on Saturday.

The ANC promised disciplinary action against any of its supporters involved in skirmishes, while Shikota appealed for calm.

Zuma talked tough about the poor performance of the government in service delivery in particular. He criticised under-spending by departments and budget roll-overs, while poverty was "deepening".

He warned that ministers should be held accountable for their failures.

"There is a tendency in government of a slow turning wheel there is no sense of urgency whether it's a councillor or an MP, there's no urgency that people should deliver. Even if people see how useless a minister or MEC is.

"Why don't you remove that person and find someone who can deliver?

We need to change the way the government machinery functions," Zuma said to applause.

He said the culture of budget roll-overs had become "acceptable" in government.

"We can't have the government being an exclusive preserve of the few. The manner in which government operates, we need to jack it up. If [departments] are given money and don't use it [we must ask] why?

That must happen once but not twice. Something somewhere needs to be corrected.

"If it means breaking friendship we should break friendship because I believe our [responsibility] is to serve the people."

Zuma later went on a walkabout at a nearby shopping centre, urging people to register to vote. The ANC president's three-day visit to the Western Cape ends on Sunday with a mass rally in Langa township

Meanwhile, opposition parties gave opposing views on voter registration turnout this weekend.

Sapa reported that President Kgalema Motlanthe urged South Africans to emulate the United States, where Americans turned out in great numbers this week to vote.

Ryan Coetzee, the chief executive officer of the Democratic Alliance, expressed satisfaction with the "big turnout".

"There's a lot of interest in voting and in politics, which bodes very well for the elections in 2009. We think quite a lot of young people will be coming through. Our impression across the board is that there is a high level of energy," said Coetzee.

But Bantu Holomisa, the leader of the United Democratic Movement, expressed concern about the poor turnout of young people yesterday.

"It's the youth I'm worried about and I'm not happy with the turnout. I have been moving around Pretoria, where I'm registered, and it has been slow on Sunday morning.

"I guess people know that the 8th and 9th [of November] are not the last days. We must view the 8th and 9th as starting days to encourage people between now and February, to register," said Holomisa

Even the ANC expressed concern at the "slow" turnout at the 19 000 registration stations across the country. The ruling party urged the youth in particular to register.

New party could challenge Cosatu in South Africa

Kea' Modimoeng, Sunday Times, 9 November 2008

Trade union stalwarts are moving out

The new political party dubbed "Shikota" is expected to give trade union federation Cosatu and other trade unions a tough time once its labour wing is formed.

The party has former Cosatu heavyweights on board such as Willie Madisha, a former Cosatu president and president of the SA Democratic Teachers Union; Mbhazima Shilowa, former general secretary of both the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union and Cosatu; and Moses Mayekiso, first general secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa).

Madisha, one of the vocal leaders of the breakaway party, said: "The new party is not about destabilising Cosatu. I have been a leader of Cosatu for a decade and it is not my intention to destroy it.

"I am currently doing campaigns with other leaders, but I haven't been assigned the role of labour movement leader, and it is not for me to decide."

Lesiba Seshoka, spokesman for the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), said that the impact of the new party was minimal. "There has been no movement from NUM to the 'Shikota' party, but we have reports that Madisha went on to mobilise some of our members to join this party," Seshoka said.

"The NUM is a strong political school for other unions within the trade federation, and has graduated many big political names such as Cyril Ramaphosa, Gwede Mantashe and the country's president Kgalema Motlanthe.

''At some stage they were all general secretaries of the NUM."

Responding to the NUM's position, Madisha said that "campaigns have been happening everywhere regardless of target groups' political affiliations".

He denied knowing anything about leaders leaving Cosatu to join the new party, other than the resignation of the labour federation's chairperson in Limpopo, Willie Mokwalakwala, who sent him a text message via cellphone saying that he had resigned as a shop steward.

"It is also important to note that I have not only been a leader of Cosatu, but also a leader in other structures of the tripartite alliance," Madisha said.

"I have been a central committee member of the South African Communist Party and a branch chairperson of the ANC, so my role shouldn't be restricted to trade unions."

According to Mziwakhe Hlangani, spokesperson for Numsa, Mayekiso, who is joining the new party, is no longer part of Numsa.

"He was the founding general secretary and played an important role in its formation. He led Numsa during the most difficult time when it was still the Metalworkers union."

Although the Numsa conference room in Johannesburg was named after him, a decision was taken by Numsa's executive last week to change the name in line with Cosatu's position that its unions should not be seen adopting the name of a "sell-out" - a reference to the new party.

"Numsa will involve its members in coming up with a new name, but in the meantime there is a black cloth around the Numsa building, also named after Mayekiso. Black symbolises that the union is mourning his departure from the ANC."

Mayekiso said: "When Numsa named the building after me, it was an accolade to the collective leadership of my era, and I made this clear when I received the honour.

"Although they can remove my name, they cannot erase the rich history of the past leadership, and this just shows the political intolerance in the tripartite alliance."

Mayekiso, who is ready to work in the new party's labour wing, also slammed Cosatu's general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi for not concentrating on issues of the workers and "this shows that Cosatu has abandoned its mandate".

Former Sedibeng mayor and the South African National Civic Organisation president Mlungisi Hlongwane is among the senior officials who have left the ANC for the new party.

The resignations have spread to student movements, with the South African Students Congress noting that its former secretary general, Nqaba Bhanga, will be joining the breakaway party.

Cosatu national spokesman Patrick Craven said that Madisha's statements were contradictory.

"Madisha said that he will be forming a new labour movement. This just shows that their aim is to divide and disrupt the trade union movement. In the short term, they can really do great damage to Cosatu, but not in the long term," Craven said.

Madagascar sees 7,5% GDP growth in '09

Reuters, 10/11/2008

Madagascar's economy is set to grow by 7,5 percent in 2009 with the mining, hotel and agriculture sectors leading expansion, a senior finance ministry official said on Monday.

Parliamentarians on the Indian Ocean Island voted on Friday for a finance bill which also forecast the economy would grow by 7,1 percent this year.

"Our GDP (growth) is predicted to be 7,5 percent for the year 2009," Henri Bernard Razarkariasa, Secretary General at the Ministry of Finance, told Reuters.

Inflation will be higher than expected at 8,8 percent due to the "continued tensions at the international level" according to the bill, but lower than the 11 percent estimated for this year.

Madagascar plans to increase spending in 2009 (Jan-Dec) by 17 percent to 4,074 billion ariary or 21,6 percent of GDP in 2009 from 3,482-billion this year.

It said it hoped to raise taxes worth 2,352 billion ariary.

"The main task when it comes to fiscal receipts will be to reach a level of 2,352 billion ariary," the bill said.

The budget deficit will increase to 4.8 percent of GDP in 2009 from 4,5 percent this year according to the finance bill that will now proceed to the country's senate.

Hit by the worldwide financial crisis, investment for 2009 is expected to be down 2,6 percent on this year at 33,4 percent of GDP.

"Next year will see the start of production and exports from several mines, most notably QMM in the south east of the island," said Razarkariasa.

QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM), a joint venture between Rio Tinto and the Madagascar government, is mining ilmenite, which is used in products such as food colouring, sunscreen and paint.

Multinational companies are pouring into the world's fourth largest island to capitalise on the country's vast mineral resources and potential oil reserves.

Madagascar is in the early stages of a mining boom for nickel, cobalt, bauxite and ilmenite.

Its two largest mining projects have brought in more than $185-million in investments and created 1 300 jobs.

Exploration companies are also looking for oil, gold, coal, chromium, gemstones, platinum and uranium.

The island is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 143rd on the UN's human development index. Earlier this year, it was hit by two successive cyclones killing nearly 100 people and rendering more than 330 000 homeless

L'ONU accuse la Tanzanie de se livrer à un trafic d'enfants

TANZANIE - 13 octobre 2008 - APANEWS

La Tanzanie reste une source et un pays de transit pour le trafic d'enfants à destination de l'Afrique du Sud, de l'Europe et du Moyen-Orient, où ils seront contraints au travail forcé et à l'exploitation sexuelle, révèle l'ONU dans un rapport.

Des enfants sont vendus pour être utilisés dans des rites à l'intérieur du pays, des accusations que le gouvernement tanzanien a qualifié de fausses, précise l'ONU dans un récent rapport.

"Il y a également une certaine mobilité à l'intérieur du pays et dans les pays voisins, avec des enfants qui arrivent des campagnes pour être vendus dans les villes et travailler comme domestiques ou serveurs dans les bars et les boîtes de nuits", ajoute le rapport.

Ces révélations sont contenues dans le rapport du Comité sur les droits des enfants publié en début de semaine à Genève, à l'occasion de sa 49ème session consacrée à l'examen des profils des pays membres en matière d'application des protocoles de la convention sur les droits de l'enfant.

Cette rencontre a passé en revue les progrès réalisés par les gouvernements pour limiter le trafic, combattre la prostitution et la pornographie des enfants.

Le Comité travaille sous la supervision du Haut Commissariat des Nations Unies pour les droits de l'homme.

La Tanzanie, qui a ratifié ce protocole en avril 2003, est dans l'obligation de soumettre des rapports périodiques au Comité sur de surveillance de l'application dudit protocole.

Mais dans le compte rendu fait au Comité par le ministère tanzanien du Développement communautaire, du Genre et de l'Enfance, Mme Margaret Sitta, le gouvernement a indiqué qu'il n'a été informé d'aucun cas d'enfant vendu.

Hausse du pouvoir d'achat de la classe moyenne noire en Afrique du sud

AFRIQUE DU SUD - 13 octobre 2008 - AFP

La classe moyenne noire émergente en Afrique du Sud, qui représente 6% de la population, a augmenté son pouvoir d'achat de plus d'un tiers malgré le ralentissement de la croissance dans le pays, ont indiqué les auteurs d'une étude.

Environ trois millions de personnes, communément appelées les "Diamants noirs", ont vu pour la première fois leur pouvoir d'achat égaler celui de la classe moyenne blanche.

"Elles ont résisté au déclin économique mondial et national, augmentant leur pouvoir d'achat de 180 milliards de rands (19,7 millions de dollars) en 2007 à 250 milliards cette année", selon Rudo Maponga de l'institut TNS Research Surveys qui a interrogé en août 1.500 personnes dans les principales villes.

"Les Diamants noirs gagnent plus et la majorité d'entre eux deviennent financièrement indépendants, ce qui minimise les risques d'être étranglé par les dettes", a expliqué Mme Maponga, soulignant que près de la moitié des femmes interrogées gagnaient plus de 50% des revenus de la maison et que 80% d'entre elles prenaient les décisions.

Une précédente étude de cet institut, publié en mai, révélait que 10% des Diamants noirs avaient vu des biens saisis au cours des 12 derniers mois.

Ce groupe, favori des banques et instituts de crédits, était particulièrement affecté par l'envolée des taux d'intérêts, réponse de la banque centrale à une inflation à deux chiffres poussée par la flambée des prix de l'alimentation et de l'énergie.

Les "Diamants noirs" ont été l'une des forces motrices de la croissance soutenue qui caractérise l'Afrique du Sud post-apartheid. Le gouvernement a favorisé l'émergence de cette classe en menant une politique de discrimination positive.

Mswati III nomme un Premier ministre ultra-royaliste au Swaziland

SWAZILAND - 16 octobre 2008 - AFP

Le roi Mswati III du Swaziland a rappelé à la tête de son gouvernement Barnabas Dlamini, 66 ans, qui avait déjà occupé ce poste pendant sept ans et demi avant de quitter le gouvernement il y a quatre ans pour devenir conseiller royal, a constaté un journaliste de l'AFP.

La nomination d'un homme considéré comme un ultra-royaliste a semé la consternation dans ce petit pays d'Afrique australe où le roi semble ne tenir aucun compte des appels à l'ouverture de son régime, la dernière monarchie absolutiste d'Afrique.

"L'homme est connu pour sa manière forte et son mépris de l'État de droit. Pendant la période où il dirigeait le gouvernement, il a fait de son mieux pour réprimer les organisations politiques et renforcer les pouvoirs royaux" a estimé Jan Sithole, président de la confédération syndicale Swaziland Federation of Trade Unions.

"Nous sommes consternés par son retour", a déclaré M. Sithole à l'AFP.

"Nous nous attendons au pire" a affirmé de son côté Mario Masuku, président du parti interdit Peoples Democratic Movement (Pudemo).

Barnabas Dlamini remplace Absalom Dlamini à la tête du gouvernement.

Le 19 septembre, 55 députés ont été élus au Parlement du Swaziland selon un système qui interdit les partis politiques. Dix autres députés ont été nommés par le roi. Le frère aîné du roi, Guduza Dlamini, a été réélu président de l'Assemblée.