SADC | News and Development

[kiligoland]

Originally Posted by bantugbro

Is she excited, scared or both....

[alama]

I hope they find something...

Comoros awards first oil exploration licence
By George Obulutsa | Reuters – 8 hrs ago

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Comoros said it has awarded its first ever oil exploration and production licence to a privately-owned Kenya-based exploration company, Bahari Resources Ltd.
Countries in the east and Horn of Africa and others with coastlines along the Indian Ocean have become a hot spot for oil and gas exploration, spurred by new finds. Comoros is made up of islands in the Indian Ocean, between northern Madagascar and east Africa.
"The government of Comoros is pleased to award its first exploration and development licence to Bahari Resources Ltd," Fouad Mohadji, vice president and minister for energy of Comoros, told an oil, gas and energy conference in Nairobi on Wednesday.
He said the government was taking its first steps to develop its exploration strategy.
"We believe our country represents one of the last prospective offshore frontiers for oil and gas," Mohadji added.
The Comoros deal with Bahari is for an offshore region bounded by latitudes 10 degrees to 13 degrees South, the western boundary of the Comoros, and longitude 43 degrees East.
The exploration area has an acreage adjacent to offshore Area 1 and Area 4 of Mozambique's Rovuma Delta, where Italy's biggest oil and gas group Eni and Anadarko Petroleum Corp made new hydrocarbon discoveries.
The economy in the archipelago relies chiefly on agriculture and fishing. It is the world's largest producer of the essence ylang ylang and exports vanilla and cloves.
Mohadji said demarcation of more exploration blocks and reaching a licensing round, would be done within two years.
"It's not more than two years. After that we go to the phases of exploration. As you know, it is a new area for us. Now we are waiting for the legislation," Mohadji, who did not say how many blocks the country aimed to create, said.
Comoros, between Madagascar and southern Africa, has a turbulent history with some 20 coups, or attempted coups, since declaring independence from France in 1975.
In a statement Comoros said that under its agreement, Bahari would undertake a phased seismic and drilling programme within the licensed area and carry out for the government a regional study of the entire Comorian territory.
The report will be used for the further demarcation of blocks and a future licensing round.
The government has said it hopes to have in place by 2013 a Petroleum Code to govern exploration and production as well as provide for internal structures that will oversee, monitor and control operations.
Kenya announced on Monday its first oil discovery, saying it was found in the northern part of the country where British firm Tullow Oil Plc has been exploring.

source

[alama]

SA & Moza - Swaziland’s opportunity for growth

SOUTH Africa and Mozambique are Swaziland’s opportunities for economic growth, says President of the Zimbabwe Business Council David Govere.
He said Swaziland had to explore market possibilities in the two neigbours as well as the rest of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) region.

Govere said Swaziland, in terms of economic development, was moving at a slower pace than its neigbours.
“Swaziland must start creating pressure now, and push it on the neigbours markets. If you do not do that, the cake of the original pie becomes smaller and smaller. This country must inflate in a deflation, Cape Verde did exactly that. There is huge growth potential in Swaziland,” he said.

He said the country’s economy might look small as it was 1% of South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Govere said compared to Swaziland, Mozambique had a fast growing economy GDP, which was three to four times that of Swaziland.

Govere said the country had huge coal deposits and must be used to generate power instead of importing from South Africa. He said Swaziland was a huge centre of communication hub. Govere was speaking during the opening of a three-day workshop organised by the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) held at the Convention Centre. The seminar was themed ‘Improving the business climate in Swaziland’.

‘SD can copy other countries in correcting private sector problems’

SWAZILAND can build from what other countries have done in a context of similar challenges and various constraints faced by the private sector in their respective economies.
Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) Director of Investment Promotion and Private Sector Development Thierry Mutombo Kalonji said the presence of experts from Mauritius, Rwanda, Zambia, Senegal, Cape Verde, World Bank group at the business climate forum would be considered as a way to share best practises.
He said experiences on the implementation of reforms would also be shared and the country would utilise similar models to correcting the many problems the private sector is marred by.
Kalonji was speaking during a forum themed ‘Improving the business climate in Swaziland’ held at the Convention Centre organised by COMESA in partnership with SIPA.
He urged senior officials and experts of Swaziland to interact with those resource persons to get from them more information and start engaging each of them for the short, medium and long-term partnership for the implementation of the Swaziland Investor Road Map.
commend
“I would like to commend the government of Swaziland through SIPA for the work undertaken so far in the area of improving the business environment in this country. Many studies and surveys have been carried out to identify the constraints hampering the private sector to flourish.
“An investor road map was designed and launched on 27 April, 2012. What is remaining is only to implement it. This three-day forum will focus on how to address key intervention areas identified through that Roadmap,” he said.
Kalonji said this activity fell under COMESA investment programme called-COMESA Common Investment Area (CCIA), whose objective was to attract foreign investments and encourager domestic investments in the region, and in the same time allow free movement of capital goods and investors.
He said in the implementation of the programme COMESA member states recognised the necessity of putting in place an enabling environment through related policy and institutional reforms.
Kalonji said improving business climate in the COMESA countries was possible today because few countries have tried and succeeded and were amongst the best in the world.
He said since the launch of the programme in Mauritius in 2005, the country still leads the continent in the ease of doing business and is ranked 23rd in the world report of 2012.

http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=39193

[Geza Ulole]

South Africa to retain high tariffs against Kenyan tea


High tariff barriers will persist against Kenya’s largest forex earner, tea, in South Africa as long as the two countries continue to operate in separate trading blocs, the South African high commissioner to Kenya has said. File

IN SUMMARY
Trade experts said the tariff level could fall to less than half if the two countries belonged to the same trading bloc.
Tea and soda ash top the list of goods that have difficulties entering South Africa because of high tariffs while avocado has been blocked over non-tariff issues.
Kenya’s exports to South Africa stood at Sh2.8 billion last year while South African exports to Kenya topped Sh71.2 billion.
High tariff barriers will persist against Kenya’s largest forex earner, tea, in South Africa as long as the two countries continue to operate in separate trading blocs, the South African high commissioner to Kenya has said.

Kenyan tea faces a tariff of nearly Sh40 per kilogramme to enter South Africa, a member of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), while Kenya operates under the Common Market for Eastern Africa and Southern Africa (Comesa) and the East African Community (EAC).

Trade experts said the tariff level could fall to less than half if the two countries belonged to the same trading bloc.

South Africa says that position could also change with the signing of a multilateral agreement between the blocs.

The outgoing South African High Commissioner to Kenya, Ndumiso Ntshinga, made his country’s position known while responding to Trade permanent secretary Abdulrazaq Adan Ali who had called on South Africa to review some of the tariff barriers.

Tea and soda ash top the list of goods that have difficulties entering South Africa because of high tariffs while avocado has been blocked over non-tariff issues.

“We can’t do it. The only people that we can give the free import duty treatment are members of the SADC according to SADC protocol,” said Mr Ntshinga, adding that things could change for the better once a tripartite agreement between SADC and EAC takes effect in 2015.

“That is an issue we have always discussed and the only answer to it is a tripartite free trade area agreement,” he said. “As long as we don’t have that then Kenya will continue facing those difficulties.”

Mr Ali, who put the South African envoy to task during the launch of the Kenya Business Association in Nairobi, said a reduction in tariffs was the only way of reducing the trade imbalance currently in favour of South Africa.

Kenya’s exports to South Africa stood at Sh2.8 billion last year while South African exports to Kenya topped Sh71.2 billion.

“The value of imports from South Africa increased from Sh59.7 billion to Sh71.2 billion in the review period, partly explained by increased imports of flat rolled products of iron and non-alloy steel,” according to the Economic Survey 2012.

Mr Ntshinga attributed the trade imbalance to the difference in production capacity of the two economies, saying the only way to correct it is to get Kenyan companies to invest in domestic production.

South Africa imposes a four-rand tariff on every kilogramme of Kenyan made tea, which the PS said is excessive.

South Africa has also banned Kenya’s export of avocado to its territory, citing health concerns. Kenya is negotiating a reversal of the ban.

“Avocado has faced a lot of challenges, in the sense that South Africa has for long stopped Kenyan exports citing exposure to fruit fly (pests),” said the PS.

The SA envoy said once Kenya proves that it has eliminated the flies in avocado, the ban would be lifted. South Africa is the second largest investor in Kenya just behind China. Its companies have heavily invested in the telecoms sector.

The newly-launched business association aims to promote growth of trade and investment between the two countries.

It has launched a directory with the addresses and brief descriptions of the companies and businesses that have interests in the two countries.

All South African-linked companies and their Kenyan partners with business interests, employment contracts and associates living in Kenya are admissible to the association.

gfayo@ke.nationmedia.com
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/S...z/-/index.html

[I.M Boring]

So basically SA is using bureaucracy to arm-twist Kenya into joining SADC.

[BUTEMBO21]

If that's the case, its just looking for ways to make it into Kenyan Market. Since its been very hard for them to go into Kenya. LOL.

But thats a good show though.:lol;

[mwanamwiwa]

Originally Posted by BUTEMBO21

If that's the case, its just looking for ways to make it into Kenyan Market. Since its been very hard for them to go into Kenya. LOL.

But thats a good show though.:lol;

You mean its a good try.We understand South African tactics well unlike our dear brothers in the south.

[Geza Ulole]

Originally Posted by BUTEMBO21

If that's the case, its just looking for ways to make it into Kenyan Market. Since its been very hard for them to go into Kenya. LOL.

But thats a good show though.:lol;

No, there is enough tea from Malawi and Tanzania to supply the SADC region it is all about economic blocks nothing of arm twisting here!

[Mintali]

SA understands that Kenya is the best bet for a trading partner in the region - that the only stumbling blocks are the trade blocks.

[Geza Ulole]

Originally Posted by Mintali

SA understands that Kenya is the best bet for a trading partner in the region - that the only stumbling blocks are the trade blocks.

bastard stop seeking attention don't bring ur EAC stupidity here! If SA understands that why the hell is ur tea charged whereas SADC's not charged? How much of SA wine is finding the free way in all Kenya's supermarkets shelves? and u can't dare to charge! idiot stop ur nonsense here!

[BUTEMBO21]

Originally Posted by Geza Ulole

No, there is enough tea from Malawi and Tanzania to supply the SADC region it is all about economic blocks nothing of arm twisting here!

No one is talking about Tea, nor this is about Tea...It's a game by SA to try to penetrate Kenyan's highly attractive Market.

[BUTEMBO21]

Originally Posted by mwanamwiwa

You mean its a good try.We understand South African tactics well unlike our dear brothers in the south.

Yes,

Kenya is a the real competator in SSA against SA , IMO.

[Rain Drops]

Originally Posted by mwanamwiwa

You mean its a good try.We understand South African tactics well unlike our dear brothers in the south.

what have we done this time?

[Mintali]

Originally Posted by Geza Ulole

bastard stop seeking attention don't bring ur EAC stupidity here! If SA understands that why the hell is ur tea charged whereas SADC's not charged? How much of SA wine is finding the free way in all Kenya's supermarkets shelves? and u can't dare to charge! idiot stop ur nonsense here!

[Dhuks]

Last time i checked south africa were not in the list of biggest consumers of kenyan tea so for all that i care they can charge ten dollars per kilo and it will be repaid in kind.

[Kangaroo MZ]

Don't forget that this is the Southern Africa Development Community thread.
EAC

[Geza Ulole]

5th December 12
Dar set to host SADC security meet on DRC
Sylivester Domasa
Tanzania is expected to host the Southern African Development Community (SADC)'s Political, Defence and Security Affairs Summit, dubbed the Troika summit, next week in Dar es Salaam in a bid to get a lasting solution to the political and security situation in eastern DR Congo,

The summit comes a few days after the UN Security Council announced an extension of its arms embargo and other sanctions imposed against armed rebel groups in DRC, and expressing its intention to consider additional targeted sanctions against the leadership of the M23, the rebel fighters who recently occupied the eastern provincial capital of Goma.
SADC Executive Secretary Dr Tomaz Salomao disclosed the move here on Monday shortly after the launch of the new SADC website.
“We expect to have a Troika meeting in Dar es Salaam between 7 and 8 December this year to discuss, among other things, the political and security situation in the DRC,” he said in response to an appeal made to him to clarify action being taken by the community in addressing the political and security question in the area.
However, Dr Salomao declined to give further details on the situation, urging reporters to wait for the recommendation of the meeting scheduled for next week.
In September, this year, the Troika meeting headed by its chairman, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, reaffirmed commitments and readiness to support initiatives put in place by the International Conference of the Great Lake Regions in an effort to get a lasting solution to the political and security situation in eastern Congo.
THE GUARDIAN
http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/fun...le.php?l=48687

[Dhuks]

Originally Posted by Kangaroo MZ

Don't forget that this is the Southern Africa Development Community thread.
EAC

Then post news that have nothing to do with countries outside Sadc

[Kangaroo MZ]

I am talking about your constant beef with each other. You can keep it in the E.A.C. thread and don't bring it to this thread.

P.s// ofcourse you can disscuss things about other countries but it has to be related to the S.A.D.C.

[alama]

Mozambique’s economy sees rates of growth close to those of China
December 3rd, 2012 Features
The Mozambican economy continues to “expand at a rapid rate,” bucking the global trend and may soon become one of the most dynamic in the world, even outperforming rates of growth in China, according to Portuguese bank BPI.

Mozambique, the bank said in its latest report on the country, “is resisting a slowdown in world economic activity, maintaining a high rate of expansion as a result of the recent development of the mining sector and increasing influxes of foreign investment into the country.”

“Despite starting from a reduced basis, the country may soon become one of the countries with biggest economic growth, able to exceed rates of growth recorded in China,” it said.

In its latest assessment of the Mozambican economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its forecast for economic growth to 7.5 percent in 2012 and 8.4 percent in 2013.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) recently raise its projection for growth in Mozambique to 7.4 percent, or 0.2 percentage points higher than its previous projection of 7.2 percent.

Exports are driving growth. Forty percent of current exports are aluminium but with coal, which began to be exported in 2011, accounting for an increasingly significant share.

Mozambique “may emerge as the world’s main coal exporter due to its large reserves,” despite constraints related to a weak logistics base to carry the coal to ports on the Indian Ocean.

However, the document said, political instability in South Africa, a great economic partner that has seen its growth projections lowered, “may negatively affect Mozambique’s international trade over the next few months.”

Another challenge for the authorities, this time from a budgetary point of view, is reduced foreign aid, which still makes up almost 30 percent of public revenue.

Foreign direct investment (FDI), which has mainly been channelled into coal and gas exploration following discoveries of huge reserves, reached an all-time high in 2011, putting Mozambique in fifth place amongst countries receiving most FDI.

Portugal was the country whose companies invested most in Mozambique in the first half of this year with a total of 5 projects and one joint investment of US$116 million, according to figures from the Centre for Investment Promotion (CPI) to which Macauhub had access in Maputo.

In second and third places were South Africa and Mauritius, which respectively invested US$56 million and US$30 million, and China was ranked fourth with seven investment projects jointly valued at US$24 million. (macauhub)

macauhub