African growth set to slow to 3.7%

Growth in African countries will to slow to 3.7% this year owing to upheavals in northern Africa and increased food and fuel prices.

Policymakers try to temper 'green shoots' talk

Top policymakers are striving to temper optimism the global economy has turned a corner, which has propelled world stocks on a six-week climb.

Rapid growth in higher education

Latest report shows the sector has to meet a growing demand without compromising quality.

UN chief: Where is Africa's promised aid?

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has appealed to rich countries to honour their 2005 pledge to more than double their aid to the African continent.

Busa says OECD report on SA 'realistic'

Business Unity SA has welcomed the overall thrust of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's economic assessment of South Africa.

OECD report frankly assesses SA's problems

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development on Tuesday released a key report on the economic status of South Africa.

SA unemployment a challenge for economy

SA's economic growth rate still trails that of most dynamic emerging economies, with unemployment a key challenge to the country's development.

Japan pledges to double aid to Africa

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda pledged on Wednesday to double Tokyo's aid to Africa by 2012 to spur growth and attract private investment -- a model that helped propel post-war Japan into economic prosperity. Japan will provide up to $4-billion in flexible, low-interest "soft loans" to Africa over the next five years.

Report shows white-collar crime impacts on rights

Although the violent nature of crime in South Africa is often highlighted, white-collar crimes are rampant and impact negatively on citizens' rights. Bribery and corruption were perceived to be the most prevalent crimes, said a South African Human Rights Commission report.

ADB: Africa's economy to grow by 6% in 2008

Africa's economy will grow by 6% this year and next, an acceleration from 2007, owing to high oil prices and demand for commodities, research from the African Development Bank (ADB) showed on Monday. The joint research was released ahead of the ADB's annual meeting, which starts in Maputo, Mozambique, on Wednesday.

Food price crisis under spotlight at UN conference

More than 3 000 delegates from 193 nations will descend on the Ghana capital, Accra, on Sunday for five days of United Nations talks on globalisation -- against a backdrop of rising food prices and an economic slowdown. The talks will be opened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who will warn that not everyone benefits from globalisation.

Tensions rise as world faces food crisis

Food prices are soaring, a wealthier Asia is demanding better food and farmers can't keep up. In short, the world faces a food crisis and in some places it is already boiling over. Around the globe, people are protesting and governments are responding with often counterproductive controls on prices and exports.

Freer world trade could bring $120bn benefit

Freer trade could bring benefits worth up to $120-billion a year to the world economy, according to a study on Thursday that dismisses growing unease about globalisation. The report, by two economists in Australia and Britain, also suggested greater immigration to rich nations from developing countries would raise economic growth.

Bush to bring 'compassion' to Africa

President George Bush set off on Friday on a five-nation tour of Africa, touting American compassion for the poor on a continent where he already basks in high approval ratings. Bush aims to use the week-long Africa voyage, likely his last as US president, to bolster his legacy and highlight efforts to resolve regional disputes.

IEA: Oil market could be set for lengthy slowdown

The world oil market could be set for a lengthy slowdown, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Wednesday, signalling a sharp shift in the climate that pushed the oil price to $100 last month. "Just as the demand shock of 2004 shaped the oil market for the next three years, so too could the pending slowdown," the IEA said in its monthly review of oil trends.

Education -- from crisis to opportunity

South Africa must face up to the fact that our schools are a national disaster. We desperately need short-term holding operations, immediate improvements and a long-term turnaround plan. In a stagnant society, devoid of hope, poor outcomes wouldn't matter, writes Graeme Bloch.

Economists in search for keys to happiness index

President Nicolas Sarkozy's talk of creating a new growth and well-being index for France is part of a mounting global campaign that many economists believe will shape civilisation and democracy in the 21st century. Sarkozy presented his recruitment of Nobel prize-winning economists Jospeh Stiglitz and Amartya Sen to work on a quality-of-life index.

Africa to get together to solve tax problems

Tax collectors from 39 countries around the world meeting in an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development-sponsored conference on Friday agreed to support a further conference specifically on taxation in Africa. The conference will be hosted by the South African Revenue Service, and will take place in May this year.

SA explores joining 'rich man's club' of nations

Talks are under way to explore the possibility of South Africa being invited to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) -- the so-called "rich man's club" of nations. The 30 OECD countries have already given the green light for the start of accession talks with five prospective new members.

Manuel not concerned over future fiscal policy

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said on Thursday that he did not have any concerns about the direction fiscal policy might take following the victory of Jacob Zuma at the African National Congress's leadership conference in Polokwane last month. He said fears about fiscal policy were just so much hype.

IN THIS WEEK'S PAPER

SUBSCRIBE:
- Paper edition
- iPad edition (NEW!)
- Kindle edition
- Digital edition


Read stories online

@mailandguardian - Top stories & newsflashes
@NicDawes - M&G editor Nic Dawes
@ChrisRoperZA - Editor, M&G Online
@amabhungane - M&G Centre for Investigative Journ
@mgfeed - Our whole news feed

Sponsored links

	Business travel experts		Flowers & gifts
	Domestic & Regional Airline		Bulk SMS gateway