• This Day (Nigeria) aagm: Political Economy of Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria (2)

Investments and aid in Liberia
Harry Greaves, an economic adviser to Gyude Bryant, the chairman of Liberia's transitional government, on 11 January told the UN Integrated Regional Information Network that China had offered to renovate the Saint Paul hydroelectric dam, 17 km north of Monrovia and help Liberia rebuild a national electric power grid. "While we are in the process of restoring minimum power supply, we have also to embark on negotiations with the People's Republic of China which has shown interest in rehabilitating the Saint Paul hydro-electric dam for a sustainable power supply," Greaves said.
Joseph Maya, the head of the state-run Liberia Electricity Corporation, said a team of Chinese engineers was due to arrive in Liberia by the end of March to carry out a technical assessment of the dam, which was built in the 1950s. (Nairobi-based UN Integrated Regional Information Network in English, on 11 January)
The National Transitional Government of Liberia, NTGL, has ignored a September 2004 court order halting the sale of the stockpile of 700,000 metric tons of iron ore at the Port of Buchanan, and sold the entire stockpile of the iron ore to a Chinese company.
The NTGL struck a deal with the Chinese company last year without reference to the Transitional Assembly, creating public outcry. (Monrovia-based The News in English, on 18 January)
The government of China has agreed to donate 80,000 bags of rice to Liberia to reduce the price of the commodity on the market. The first consignment of the donation to arrive in the country soon. (Liberian Radio ELBC, in English, 0700 gmt on 24 January)
"Only the beginning" of Sino-Malagasy cooperation
President Marc Ravalomanana on 12 January held talks with visiting Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Li Zhaoxing at the Iavoloha state palace in Antananarivo. The Chinese minister said his visit was a follow-up to President Ravalomanana's visit to China last year.
President Ravalomanana said the signing of an agreement to build an international conference centre in Madagascar by the Malagasy and Chinese foreign affairs ministers on 11 January was only the beginning to the cooperation between China and Madagascar. President Ravalomanana added that Madagascar would export chrome to China, terming it as an excellent way to strengthen trade between the two countries.
The Chinese foreign minister's 10 to 12 January official visit at the head of a 10-man delegation was at the invitation of the Malagasy government. He also held talks with Prime Minister Jacques Sylla, who said the visit would reinforce and promote the existing fruitful ties between the two countries. (Malagasy state television, in Malagasy, 1630 and 1715 gmt on 11 January and Madagascar Tribune web site, Antananarivo, in French, on 10 January)
Mauritian premier visits the People's Republic of China
Mauritian Prime Minister Paul Berenger was in the People's Republic of China for a one-week official visit to China between 21 and 29 January to seek Chinese Republic support for the candidacy of Foreign Affairs Minister Jayen Cuttaree, to the post of director-general for the World Trade Organization. (Port Louis-based Mauritian newspaper Express web site, in French, on 24 January and Le Mauricien newspaper web site in French, on 8 and 20 January)
The acting foreign affairs minister, Arianne Navarre-Marie, yesterday signed with Chinese leaders an agreement for an interest-free loan of 150m rupees [about 5m US dollars] during Prime Minister Paul Berenger's official visit to China. The loan will be refundable after a 10-year period beginning 2015.
Paul Berenger held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao. The meetings were held at Beijing's Great Hall of the People. They focused on relations between China and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Mauritius sovereignty on Chagos, follow-up of the [UN] conference on small island states and reforms in the textile sector.
Mauritian Labour Minister Showkutally Soodhun, also signed another agreement allowing better control and discipline in the hiring of foreign labourers, especially qualified workers. The aim is to avoid trade problems in Mauritian firms. The hiring will be done with the help of Chinese authorities. (Port Louis-based Mauritian Express newspaper web site, in French, on 25 January)
Trade with and investments in Nigeria
The Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Wang Yongqui, on 19 January said his country's trade volume with Nigeria since 2004, amounted to 2bn dollars, five times the figure in 2003 which stood at 500m dollars. "China and Nigeria enjoyed all round relationship throughout 2004, a year that witnessed the visit of the Chinese Premier which resulted in bilateral talks between him and President Obasanjo on how to improve trade and economic relations."
Expressing happiness with the rapid increase in the level of trade between the two countries, as a prospect of continued and fruitful bilateral ties between the two nations, he said that the prospect of economic cooperation in 2005 would be greater.
According to him, the presence of about 388 Chinese agricultural experts in Nigeria was a clear indication that China would like to see Nigeria produce enough food for its people, noting that Rivers State has abundant natural and human resources to achieve such a feat. (All Africa web site in English, 0000 gmt 20 January)
Following the completion of surveys and designs in 218 locations across the country, the Nigerian federal government has commenced the importation of equipment to implement the rural telephony project. The project being executed by the Ministry of Communications, was designed to fill the gap in the rural areas where private telecom operators would not invest due to low returns.
Officials of the ministry have disclosed that the first batch of switch and microwave equipment from China would arrive in the country this month. The project jointly financed by China and Nigeria, would cost 200m US dollars. (Nigerian Abuja privately owned, independent Rhythm FM radio in English, on 10 January)
Lagos state Urban and Regional Planning Board officials last year sealed off China Town following complaints by the Victoria Island and Ikoyi Residents Association about the existence of a commercial center in a purely residential area like Ikoyi, claiming that the situation was disturbing their peace. It was later reopened on an understanding that they would relocate from the place before December 2004.
Lagos State government has cited diplomatic considerations as part of its reasons for allowing Chinese nationals to continue with their business activities at the China Town in the state after the expiration of their tenure. The Urban and Regional Planning Board said the state government could not forcibly eject the Chinese because of the diplomatic implications of such act, adding that there was an understanding between the state government and the Chinese community that they would be given more time to enable them to complete work on their new site at Ojota following a plea to the state governor through their embassy in Lagos. (Nigerian Lagos-based privately owned independent Ray Power 2 Radio, in English, 1900 gmt on 21 January)
Rwanda to benefit from Chinese tariff exemption
Rwanda has been listed to benefit from China's offer of tariff exemption for certain commodities with other 25 least developed African countries. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said the policy took effect on 1 January 2005, and covers 190 tax items.
The policy was originally announced by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the second ministerial meeting of the China-African Cooperation Forum held at the end of 2003, according to a release from the ministry." This is an important commitment that China, as a developing country, made to help African countries to develop their economies. I believe the trade cooperation between China and Africa will score new growth through our joint efforts," the statement says. (Rwandan New Times newspaper web site in English, on 21 January)
Interest in tourist paradise in Seychelles
People's Republic of China Foreign Affairs Minister HE Li Zhaoxing arrived in Seychelles on Friday 7 January for an official visit which lasted till Sunday 10 January.
Mr Li held talks with his Seychelles counterpart, Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremie Bonnelame on Saturday 8 January before meeting President James Michel and Vice -President Joseph Belmont at State House before on Sunday 9 January. (Seychelles Nation web site, in English, on 8 January)
Nearly 3m US-dollars worth of Chinese aid is bound for the Seychelles after the Chinese minister of foreign affairs on 8 December announced two grants from the Asian giant.
The agreement, signed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Seychelles Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremie Bonnelame, did not stipulate how the money would be spent but stated that it would be used for projects to be agreed upon by both the Seychelles and Chinese governments.
Additional soft-loans on interest terms of two yearly repayments of two per cent, were signed by Chinese Ambassador Chen Mei Fen and the department of finance principal secretary, Francis Chang-Leng. Speaking before the signing, Minister Li described Seychelles as a tourist paradise, and said that his government is very interested in the country, before expressing his solidarity and sympathy following the recent tsunami strike. (Seychelles Nation newspaper web site in English, on 10 January)
Chinese interests in Sudan
China on Monday 10 January expressed its warm congratulation to the Sudanese government for its signing a final comprehensive peace accord with southern Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Nairobi on Sunday 9 January, ending the 21-year-old civil war in southern Sudan, the longest-running in Africa.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan described the signing of the peace deal "a historical event", saying it meets with Sudanese people's desire for peace and development and helps Sudan achieve long-term stability and maintain regional peace. Kong said Chinese President Hu Jintao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing have sent congratulation letters to Sudanese President Umar Hasan Ahmad al-Bashir and Minister of External Relations Mustafa Uthman Isma'il respectively.
China's Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng attended the signing ceremony as special envoy of the Chinese government, he said. "We sincerely hope the comprehensive peace deal will be implemented smoothly and Sudan will make greater achievement in seeking peace and development," he said. (Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English, 1207 gmt on 10 January)
Tanzania: Aid to fight malaria, WTO calls for increased trade with China
In brief talks he held with Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa at State House, Dar es Salaam, on 20 January World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi, urged Tanzania to step up trade with China, said yesterday.
He said Tanzania stood to benefit through trade with China "by strengthening of trade cooperation with China through attraction of investors in industrial production".
The WTO director said Chinese investors should be called upon to come and invest in industries that can produce iron and other minerals. "China is one of the countries whose economy is growing very fast in the world. China needs a lot of iron for its industries, hence you could attract them to invest in industries," Dr Panitchpakdi said. (Dar es Salaam-based The Guardian web site in English, on 21 January)
The Chinese government on 20 January donated 20 tonnes of cement and anti-malaria drugs worth about 9,500 dollars to Tanzania First Lady Anna Mkapa in aid of the Equality for All Fund. (Radio Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, in Swahili, 1700 gmt on 20 January)
Zimbabwe's "look east" policy
Zimbabwe continues to register remarkable growth in investment levels as 87 projects valued at about 353bn Zimbabwean dollars were approved by the Zimbabwe Investment Centre in 2004," reports the Herald newspaper. Statistics indicate that "China contributed the highest level of investments at 126bn dollars followed by India with 92.8bn, confirming that the government's 'look east' policy is beginning to bear fruit." (Zimbabwean pro-government Herald newspaper web site in English, on 11 January)
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) 12 January received a total of 22 Troop Carrying Vehicles (TCV) from the Chinese government "as a gesture of fostering the cordial relations between China and Zimbabwe".
The vehicles are set to "transform the ZNA into a well-equipped, highly-mobile and hard-hitting force". ZNA Commander Lt-Gen Philip Valerio Sibanda thanked the Chinese for the donation. He said the vehicles would go a long way in alleviating transport problems that the army has experienced of late.
The Chinese embassy's charge d'affaires, Mrs Ma Deyun, said the vehicles were procured after the two countries signed an agreement for cooperation in different areas of interest. She said China and Zimbabwe have enjoyed good relations since the days of the liberation struggle and they have always supported each other in times of need. "We are proud of the achievements we have made in various areas of cooperation," said Mrs Deyun.
Trade and economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and China has grown tremendously. Under the partnership with China, several joint venture companies have been established in the country. China also remains the biggest buyer of Zimbabwe's tobacco. Under the Zimbabwe-China Joint Commission, Zimbabwe has benefited through the Chinese government's concessionary and interest free loans and grants.
(The Herald newspaper in English 13 January, Government-owned and controlled national television ZTV in Shona, 1530 gmt on 12 January)
Zimbabwe is fighting an invasion of Chinese goods, locally known as "zhing-zhongs", which trade unions and businesses say are undercutting local industry already struggling for survival in a bruised economy. Zimbabweans call Chinese products "zhing-zhongs" a term which has taken on a derisive connotation to describe anything that is substandard, irrespective of the country of origin.
Economists say the proliferation of inexpensive Chinese goods, although a worldwide phenomenon and especially acute in Africa, is partly fuelled by President Robert Mugabe's policy of looking to Asia after being shunned by the West. "While China makes some very good products, there was quite an element of dumping here with factory seconds and rejects coming in, and this was true especially of footwear and clothes," says leading economist Eric Bloch.
Last year saw a major influx of goods from China, prompting the government to drastically increase the import duties on the merchandise that includes everything from toothpaste to clothes to electronic equipment and solar panels. "It was a very serious threat and then the finance ministry on 25 November 2004 substantially increased duties to level the playing field," Bloch told AFP.
"Previously, the import duty was 10 per cent of value plus 60 Zimbabwean dollars (one US cent) for every kilogram in weight, now it is 100,000 dollars across-the-board for all items."
Footwear giant Bata, which has a factory in Zimbabwe, said sales had dropped 26 per cent in 2004, owing to the influx of cheap Asian, and especially Chinese goods. "These imports continue unabated, with requests by the footwear industry to look at the situation falling on deaf ears," said managing director Edwin Duthie. "Unless some control is implemented, I can see 2005 showing a further decline," said Duthie.
Several shops in Harare have closed and have been taken over by people selling Chinese goods. (Agence France Presse 0546 gmt on 25 January)
Interest in Southern Sudan
Under the peace agreement, oil leases signed by the government during the war will be respected. The largest lease holders include the China National Petroleum Company.
Experts predict that oil and gas companies will rush in to expand Sudan's oil production from the 345,000 barrels a day recorded in June 2004. The country has proven reserves of 635 million barrels, much of which could not be accessed during the war because of fighting. (Associated Press on 11 January)
Sudan People's Liberation Movement, SPLM, leader John Garang on 23 January said on his return to Rumbek, southern Sudan, that his movement wants a balance of nations in the UN peacekeeping force to be deployed in southern Sudan.
Despite China being among a handful of the countries that responded to the UN appeal to contribute personnel for a peacekeeping mission, the SPLM has reservations about it. SPLM/A officials say they would have reservations about any participation by Malaysia or China, because of their oil production joint ventures with the Islamist government in Khartoum, or by Pakistan due to its Islamic identity. (Reuters 1410 gmt on 23 January)
Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 26 Jan 05
Document BBCAP00020050131e11v0015p

LG Electronics Leads in Market Share With Air Conditioners
764 words

25 January 2005

03:05 PM

All Africa

AFNWS

English

(c) 2005 AllAfrica, All Rights Reserved
Lagos, Jan 24, 2005 (This Day/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) --
Builds assembly plants in Lagos
Global and National digital leader in electronics, LG Electronics continues its hold on the global and national air conditioner market with a record sales of 10,120,000 units in 2004.
According to a research survey conducted by Fuji Economy Research Institute, Fuji Keizai Co, Ltd, 51,620,000 units of air conditioners was sold globally in 2004 with LG Electronics making 19.7% of the recorded sales from 18.4% in 2003. This means that LG produced on one in five air conditioners bought in 2004.
The result indicated that LG global market share has consistently rise since 2000 with a sales of 4.1 million unites and there after doubled it in 2003 with 8 million units.
LG Electronics plan to grow various markets commenced with establishment of production facility in China in 1995, India (1997), Brazil 2001 and Nigeria in 2003.
LG also dominates the Chinese, Indian and Nigerian markets, maintaining the highest market share.
A 2004 survey of the consumer electronics market in the country showed that LG recorded 15% market penetration against 5% recorded in 2003.
LG Electronics currently operates eight-production facility globally with an assembly plant and a Commercial Air Conditioners showroom in Nigeria.
This unprecedented success is founded on LG's patented technologies. LG's Gold Fin' practical application and semi-permanent heat exchanger were both first in 1999. LG also made famous such technological breakthroughs as the 5mm tube of heat exchanger' in 2001 and the MPS (Multi Power System) in 2004, which acts an air cooler in the summer and a heat pump in the winter. The company also introduced 'the 3-dimensional air cooling' system in 2000 another world first.
LG complemented its pioneering effort with artistic design elements, adding renditions of world famous pieces by Van Gogh and Sisley among others on the front panel of its art cool air conditioner. The ART COOL air conditioner was introduced into the country's in 2003.
In December 2004, LG achieved a new milestone, successfully reducing the production time of one air conditioner unit to 10 seconds, and that of one compressor to 5 seconds. This represents a 1.5 second improvement over the year before, which may seem insignificant but 1.5 seconds makes a momentous difference in considering the entire production line. David Park, Head of Overseas Sales & Marketing of Digital Appliance Company of LG said, "The speed of production has improved by 10 seconds, which means production capacity has improved by 31% over 2003.
LG's unique ability to combine 'globalization' and 'localization' strategies has partly made this unprecedented emergence possible, as it enables the company to adapt to the needs of local customers, recognizing regional, cultural, and religious differences.
David Park said, "We will expand markets in the new area of Commercial Air Conditioners (CAC), utilizing our strong global sales network in Residential Air Conditioners (RAC) and our role as a technology leader. We are planning to increase the number of local sales engineers to fortify our CAC networks and invest more heavily in R&D. I am confident that our solid base in RAC will help us to maintain our leadership role, this time in the new field of CAC. We thus intend to finally cement our leadership position and become the number one air conditioner brand in both categories by 2010."
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (Korea Stock Exchange: 06657. KS.), headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, was established in 1958 and has grown into a global force in electronics, information and communications products with annual total revenues of US $30 billion. With more than 64,000 employees working in 75 overseas subsidiaries and marketing units around the world, LG Electronics is comprised of four main business companies including Digital Display, Digital Media, Digital Appliance, and Mobile Communications.
LG Electronics is fast becoming the leader of the global home appliances industry, ranking No. 1 in sales of air conditioners, microwave ovens and canister vacuum cleaners. LG Electronics was the first company to commercialize a full line of Web-enabled home network appliances including refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens and air conditioners, and is increasingly seen as a leader in premium appliances, including the TV refrigerator.
LG's goal worldwide is to create and enable the intelligent networking of digital products that will make consumers' lives better than ever. More information can be found at www.Ige.com .
Document AFNWS00020050125e11p002yf