Vol 5 (AAC) No 11 | CÔTE D'IVOIRECHINA ADO brings back the billions 3rd September 2012 China’s interests in Côte d’Ivoire are growing and, for now, the focus is on infrastructure in a country recovering from ten years of political crisis As soon as he touched down at Abidjan's Felix Houphouët-Boigny airport on his return from the 19-20 July fifth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, President Alassane Dramane...
Vol 5 (AAC) No 11 | MADAGASCARMAURITIUSCHINA Rogue rosewood exporters 3rd September 2012 A series of scandals about illegal timber exports increases pressure on the government to seek international protection for the country’s forests Proof continues to mount about the role of Chinese business interests in the illegal trade of rosewood from Madagascar. Rosewood is harvested from protected areas in Madagascar and...
Vol 5 (AAC) No 11 | MADAGASCARCHINA Back on the Mainland 3rd September 2012 Mainland Mining, a subsidiary of China Geo Engineering Corporation, faces opposition as it tries to mend its ways and restart activities on its ilmenite (titanium-iron oxide) exploration permit...
Vol 5 (AAC) No 11 | CHINAEAST AFRICA Trader beware! 3rd September 2012 Chinese traders already feeling the heat from local competitors in Kenya, Malawi and Uganda now face new regulations and restrictions to their activities after protests by local businesses....
Vol 5 (AAC) No 11 | BOTSWANACHINA Construction fraud trio go free 3rd September 2012 A corruption trial involving managers of Chinese construction companies has fizzled out, at least for now. The three – erstwhile China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation General Manager...
Vol 5 (AAC) No 11 | KENYACHINA Coal hard cash 3rd September 2012 Kenyan politicians are battling over the controversial award of a contract for a coal mine in Eastern Province by the Energy Ministry to a little-known Chinese...
Vol 5 (AAC) No 10 | CHINAAFRICA FOCAC V brings billions more 31st July 2012 Talk of a ‘new type of partnership’ was overblown, but Beijing pledged $20 bn. and took first steps toward improving corporate and environmental regulations With a crucial leadership handover at the end of the year and growing domestic economic concerns, Beijing hosted the Fifth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation on 19-20 July with...
Vol 5 (AAC) No 10 | CHINAAFRICA Big promises abroad, more worries at home 31st July 2012 In July, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank cut growth estimates for China and its African trading partners. The IMF forecast that China’s gross domestic product would...
Vol 5 (AAC) No 10 | GUINEACHINA Condé’s great giveaway 31st July 2012 A government partner is handing over major stakes in the Simandou contracts to Chinese state-owned firms Despite support from groups like George Soros’s Open Society Institute, President Alpha Condé’s government persists in striking troublesome mining deals. The government and the African Iron Ore Group,...
Vol 5 (AAC) No 10 | CAMEROONCHINABRIEFING Contracts and complaints 31st July 2012 Amid unprecedented criticism from the European Union and strikes on several worksites, Chinese companies are having a rough time in Cameroon. With Hanlong Mining’s backing of the Mbalam...