INTER PRESS SERVICE

It’s not child’s play to showcase ‘‘toys’’ made by artists reflecting on a changing world in African countries. Miniature construction vehicles from Malawi, next to a diminutive Nelson Mandela presiding over South Africa’s first democratic parliament, jostle for space with the Belgian comic hero Tintin on safari in the Congo – all captured in carefully crafted wood.

ECONOMY-AFRICA: Russian Tourist Market Ripe For the Picking

By Kester Kenn Klomegah

The number of Russian tourists visiting African destinations is steadily increasing due to rising incomes and the desire to have uncommon wildlife experiences, according to travel agencies.

TRADE: U.S. Farm Subsidies May Survive WTO Doha Round

Delegates at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) disagree with WTO Director General Pascal Lamy’s view that the negotiations on trade in agricultural products are ‘‘nearly there’’.

TRADE: WTO Delegates Following Talks Through News Media

As closed-door meetings proceed between selected countries, other member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have resorted to following media reports in an attempt to stay abreast with the current Doha Round of negotiations on agriculture and industrial goods.

TRADE: China and India Should Join Effort to Stop Illegal Logging

By Francis Kokutse

‘‘Greed should not lead us to destroy our forests,’’ according to Abraham Ansah, an executive member of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) the Bunso Conservationists.

TRADE-GHANA: Non-Traditional Exports Are Booming

By Francis Kokutse

Impressive growth in exports from Ghana to the rest of the world has been witnessed over the past few years as more and more Ghanaians explore production in non-traditional sectors.

TRADE-AFRICA: Some Interim EPAs May Not Be Concluded

By Hilaire Avril

Some of the 35 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states that have initialled interim economic partnership agreements (EPAs) may still withdraw from the process – apart from the 44 states that have so far refused to sign EPAs with the European Union, according to researchers studying the fraught trade negotiating process.

China's dominance in the clothing sector has pushed sub-Saharan Africa out of the market. Credit: Miriam Mannak/IPS

AFRICA: Concerns over Chinese Investment and Working Conditions

Chinese investment in African countries comes with few strings attached – which is exactly what concerns civil society organisations.

DEVELOPMENT-AFRICA: High Food Prices Here For Another Five Years

Hundred million people worldwide - mostly from developing countries - may sink deeper into poverty when food prices continue to rise, the World Bank predicts.

ECONOMY-AFRICA: HIV/AIDS Reduces Children’s Education Chances

Children who live in communities with an HIV prevalence rate of 10 percent or more have half a year of schooling less than children in other communities.

ECONOMY-AFRICA: Informal Sector Also Needs Skills Training

Bringing basic skills training programmes to workers in the informal sector can help to bring down poverty and unemployment levels, while improving economic growth.

TRADE: Nigeria ‘‘Threatens’’ Neighbours in Wake of Bilateral EPAs

West African states are working at salvaging regional relations with a renewed attempt to collectively negotiate an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the European Union.

TRADE-WEST AFRICA: Nigeria Is Out to Protect Its Industries

Nigeria took a strong stance on determining its own economic development recently when it rejected an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the European Union. The country has also adopted a different approach towards its neighbours regarding protection for its nascent industries.

Workers from Texel Industries demonstrating in front of Government House in Port Louis, Mauritius, last year. They demanded changes to the law on export processing zones. Credit: Nasseem Ackbarally/IPS

RIGHTS-MAURITIUS: ‘‘We Are Not Animals,’’ Say Foreign Workers

Officially, everything is fine in the export processing zones (EPZs) in Mauritius. But, in reality, many foreign workers suffer dismal working conditions. Those who organise to improve their lot do so under the constant threat of intimidation and deportation.

TRADE: NGO Keeping An Eye on Malawi’s New Best Friend, China

By Pilirani Semu-Banda

China continues to grow its presence in Africa, having just roped in the small southern African country of Malawi as another one of many trading partners on the continent. But some Malawians have adopted a cautious attitude towards their government’s new ally.

TRADE-AFRICA: ‘‘Build Regional Markets to Prevent Hunger’’

Regional trade agreements could not only serve to protect farmers in developing countries but could also be used for the swift distribution of food aid from neighbouring countries in times of famine.

Q&A: South Africa To Reconsider Its Trade Agreement With EU?

As a result of the free trade agreements with the European Union, called economic partnership agreements, regional integration in Southern Africa is in tatters (see accompanying article - link below). The question arises: what kind of integration would engender broad-based development?

TRADE: COMESA Summit in Balance Because of Zimbabwe Chaos

Zimbabwe, which is in a political and financial tailspin, has missed out on an opportunity to save some of its tattered international reputation. The Common Market for East and Southern Africa’s (COMESA) 13th summit would have taken place in the country’s north-eastern resort town of Victoria Falls but has been postponed indefinitely.

TRADE-AFRICA: EPA Threatens to Tear Apart Oldest Customs Union