INTERNATIONAL

The unseen impact of non-tariff measures: Insights from a new database - Businesses have long identified non-tariff measures as affecting their ability to trade. But the opacity and complexity of these measures have been impediments to the discourse on this critical issue. That is why this report and the underlying data and research are a tremendously valuable contribution. The NTM data now covers 90 percent of trade and all large importers that serve as main destination markets for developing countries. (UNCTAD)

Keywords: UNCTAD, Non-tariff measures, Unseen impact

IMB piracy report 2018: attacks multiply in the Gulf of Guinea - Piracy increased on the world’s seas in 2018, with a marked rise in attacks against ships and crews around West Africa, the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) latest annual piracy report reveals. Worldwide, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) recorded 201 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery in 2018, up from 180 in 2017. (International Chamber of Commerce)

Keywords: ICC, Martime piracy, Armed robbery, Shipping 

PAN AFRICAN

Egypt, Rwanda to cooperate in real estate, textiles and meat project - Rwanda and Egypt are looking to cooperate in development projects including real estate development and construction materials, meat and leather, textiles as well as tropical fruits and vegetables, according to Rwanda’s envoy to Egypt Amb. Saleh Habimana. (IPP Media)

Keywords: Egypt, Rwanda, Textiles and meat project 

How China's tax cuts could affect local manufacturers in Africa - The Chinese government recently announced its decision to cut taxes for a three-year period. This will see corporate-income, value-added and other corporate taxes for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reduced, with the country’s Central Bank cutting bank reserves in order to release more money for lending. (Ventures Africa)

Keywords: China, Africa, Local manufacturers, Tax cuts 

Political will needed to enhance intra-African trade - The Director of Information at the World Trade Organisation, Mr. Keith Rockwell, calls for initiatives that will help increase intra-African trade which presently is about 18 per cent, in order to drive growth and stimulate economic activities in the continents. He also says there is need to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks hindering trade in the continent. (This Day) 

Keywords: Intra-African trade, Political will, WTO 

EAST AFRICA

Ethiopia to intensify coffee exports to China -  Ethiopia could kick start the New Year with intensified coffee output to supply the growing demand of the commodity in China. The coffee market in the East Asian nation is expected to rise in the coming years, offering a potential business opportunity to coffee producers and exporters.  (The Exchange)

Keywords: Ethiopia, China, Coffee exports

Industrial parks in Ethiopia to generate $30BN by 2025 -  Six textile and garment oriented industrial parks that Ethiopia is currently busy setting up, are expected to generate $30BN worth of exports by 2025. The country continues its rigorous quest to build industrial parks, which is part of the initiative to make the East African nation a manufacturing hub of Africa, and a middle-income country. (The Exchange)

Keywords: Ethiopia, Industrial parks, Exports 

Tanzania, Rwanda chart facilitation of petroleum products via port - Ministers responsible for transport, energy and infrastructures from Tanzania and Rwanda met in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday to chart improving transportation of petroleum products from Dar es Salaam to the landlocked country via Mwanza and Bukoba ports. (IPP Media)

Keywords: Tanzania, Rwanda, Petroleum products, Transportation

World Bank sees Tanzania's economic growth slowing to 6.8% in 2019 - The World Bank expects Tanzania's economic growth to be slower than expected this year, but the country will still remain among the fastest growing economies in Africa over the next few years. In its Global Economic Prospects (Darkening Skies) report released last week, the World Bank says gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Tanzania will likely slow down to 6.6% in 2018 from a 7.1 per cent expansion in 2017. (IPP Media)

Keywords: World Bank, Tanzania, Economic growth 

NORTH AFRICA

Italian oil giant Eni says overall investments in Egypt total $13BN since 2015 - Major Italian oil company Eni has had overall investments of $13BN in Egypt since 2015, the CEO of the company Claudio Descalzi has said. In an official statement, Egyptian presidency spokesman Bassam Rady said that Descalzi told President El-Sisi about the company’s plan to increase investments in the coming period. (Ahram Online)

Keywords: Italy, Egypt, Investments 

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Botswana makes uturn, backs SADC position on ivory trade -  Botswana has thrown its weight behind Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to compel the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to open up ivory markets for the four Southern African nations, APA can reveal on Wednesday. (APA News)

Keywords: Botswana, SADC position, Ivory trade 

South Africa shows its commitment to promoting intra-African trade - It is refreshing to see that South Africa has finally articulated its resolve through approving the agreement for the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area. The country will continue to champion the socio-economic transformation of Africa. (Daily Maverick) 

Keywords: South Africa, Commitment,  AfCFTA ratification  

Trade conditions moderate but strained - Trade activity in South Africa improved slightly in November 2018 if adjusted for seasonal factors, yet prospects for the next six months remain muted, the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said on Wednesday. (Fin24)

Keywords: South Africa, Trade conditions, Improvement 

WEST AFRICA

FG: Buhari to make decision on AfCFTA this month - The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah,  said on Tuesday that the committee set up by the federal government to review the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would conclude work this month, following which the report will be submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for him to make a decision. (This Day) 

Keywords: Nigeria, AfCFTA ratification, Steering committee 

Nigeria: Crude oil earnings up by 48% to N11.5 trillion in 9 months - Nigeria recorded crude oil export worth N11.5 trillion in nine months, from January to September 2018, rising by 48.01 per cent from N7.77 trillion recorded in similar period in 2017. The value of crude oil export in the nine-month period is over N2 trillion more than the N9.12 trillion budgeted for 2018 and about N3 trillion more than the 2019 budget proposal. (Hellenic Shipping News) 

Keywords: Nigeria, Crude oil earnings, Increase