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Archive for the tag “Africa”

14 May 2020

COVID-19 Poses Formidable Threat For Fragile States In The Middle East and North Africa

COVID-19 will trigger a sharp drop in household incomes in Middle East and North African (MENA) countries that are fragile and in conflict situations, such as Afghanistan, Djibouti, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, and Somalia. As export earnings suffer and social distancing reduces domestic activity, incomes will decline—especially for informal and low-skilled workers, including within large internally displaced populations and refugees.

Read Here – IMF

Posted in Coronavirus and tagged , , , , | Leave a comment
05 May 2020

Africa Has A Question For Beijing: Will You Forgive Us Our Debt?

African states expect a devastating impact on their economies this year from the Covid-19 pandemic and are appealing for relief from repayments on billions of dollars in outstanding debt to cope. Most of those appeals involve China, the biggest lender to the continent, but it is unclear how Beijing will respond.

Read Here – South China Morning Post

Posted in Coronavirus and tagged , , , | Leave a comment
20 Apr 2020

How The Coronavirus Pandemic Has Trapped China’s Belt And Road Initiative Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Either Beijing will find innovative ways that benefit debtor nations or it will be seen as just another predatory lender in a long history of empire builders. The backlash to China’s presence in lands around the world will soon follow, along with fractured political and economic relationships that become difficult, if not impossible, to mend.

Read Here – South China Morning Post

Posted in China and tagged , , , | Leave a comment
20 Jun 2019

The Edge That Indian Companies Could Wield In Africa

Indian companies have a head-start in translating those growth trends into profitable, sustainable enterprises. From deep experience in their home market, they know how to overcome the challenges that limit markets and make life harder for ordinary people. Africa should be high on the agenda of Indian companies targeting global growth. Their innovations and investments can create both outsize returns and real social impact.

Read Here – Mint

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05 Feb 2019

New Delhi Begins Expanding Its Diplomatic Footprint In Africa

India has begun to implement plans to expand its diplomatic footprint across resource-rich Africa, appointing ambassadors to countries where previously it had no representation, such as Djibouti and Burkina Faso. New Delhi seeks to extend its diplomatic reach to 47 out of 54 African nations, up from the existing 29, with the new appointments.

Read Here – Mint

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16 Jan 2019

Red Sea Rivalries

Gulf states with deep pockets and big appetites are asserting themselves in the Horn of Africa as never before. The flurry of new economic and military investments is reshaping geopolitical dynamics on both sides of the Red Sea, as two formerly distinct regions are fast becoming one.

Read Here – Foreign Affairs

Posted in Middle East and tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment
09 Sep 2018

Three Myths About China’s Investment In Africa And Why They Need To Be Dispelled

Three common misconceptions in Western media and policy circles about the nature of China’s involvement in Africa interferes with US policymakers’ ability to craft and implement an effective Africa strategy. Debunking these myths will foster a more constructive understanding of Beijing’s interactions with the continent and allow the United States to focus on areas of competitive advantage.

Read Here – World Economic Forum

Posted in China and tagged , , , , | Leave a comment
03 Sep 2018

The Water Crises Aren’t Coming—They’re Here

Photo courtesy: Asian Development Bank

For eons, the earth has had the same amount of water—no more, no less. What the ancient Romans used for crops and Nefertiti drank? It’s the same stuff we bathe with. Yet with more than seven billion people on the planet, experts now worry we’re running out of usable water. The symptoms are here: multiyear droughts, large-scale crop failures, a major city—Cape Town—on the verge of going dry, increasing outbreaks of violence, fears of full-scale water wars. The big question: How do we keep the H20 flowing?

Read Here – Esquire

Posted in Environment and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
03 Sep 2018

Rethinking Belt-And-Road Debt

More than 75 nations participate in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013 to develop trade and connect Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe with ports, roads and railways. But some countries worry about adding to already heavy debt burdens, and some projects have become an issue in local politics. Among the most vocal critics is Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad who has warned about a new colonialism.

Read Here – Yale Global

Posted in China and tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
26 Aug 2018

Emerging Vulnerabilities In Emerging Economies

For many emerging economies, it is imperative to pursue a rebalancing of growth patterns, with a more active approach to managing debt and capital flows and their effects on asset prices, exchange rates, and growth. Otherwise, the dangers of unsustainable growth patterns will bring expansion to an abrupt halt.

Read Here – Project Syndicate

Posted in Global Economy and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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