RPT-FEATURE-China marches on in Africa despite downturn

By Alistair Thomson

DAKAR, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Chinese businessmen are taking a long-term view and pursuing strategic expansion in Africa even though China's multiplying investments on the continent have lost some lustre in the global downturn.

Beijing and Chinese companies have pledged tens of billions of dollars to Africa in loans and investments mostly to secure raw materials for the world's fastest-growing large economy.

That long-term interest remains intact, despite a worldwide economic slump that has hit China's exports to the rich world and a sharp decline in Africa's mineral shipments to China.

China-Africa trade has surged by an average 30 percent a year this decade, soaring to nearly $107 billion in 2008.

R350m venture capital tech fund launched

Tuesday, 19 February 2008

A new R350 million venture capital fund has been launched to give innovators in South Africa a leg up into the global technology arena.
The Hasso Plattner Ventures Africa, named after the co-founder of software giant SAP, aims to invest in and manage a portfolio of investments that have a unique innovative offering either based on the business model, product offering or underlying technology

http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/trade_investment/r350m_venture_capital_tech_fund_launched.html

Old Mutual boost for women-owned firms

Regis Nyamakanga

Financial Services Editor

FINANCIAL services company Old Mutual and the trade and industry department launched a R100m development-finance fund yesterday, to support women-owned enterprises.
The Industrial Development Corporation also plans to pump R400m into the fund.

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/companies.aspx?ID=BD4A709200

SA-led consortium will manage Ugandan railway

By Katy Pownall

Kampala - Uganda has signed a contract with a South African-led consortium to manage its railway, four months behind schedule because of a court case, an official said on Monday.
In a bid to encourage economic integration in the East African region, Uganda and Kenya invited bids for the joint management over 25 years of Kenya Railways Corporation and Uganda Railways.

Source:
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw1144703344353R131

Milk price-fixing trial to start

Wed, 30 Jan 2008
Prosecution procedures into alleged price-fixing by certain South African milk producers will begin next week, the Competition Commission said on Tuesday.
Eight dairy companies investigated for alleged price-fixing will be involved in pre-hearings next week, said the commission's head of enforcements and exemption, Thulani Kunene.

Full story:
http://business.iafrica.com/news/843328.htm

Steel giant appoints woman CEO

31 January 2008
Nku Nyembezi-Heita has been appointed chief executive of Africa’s largest steel manufacturer, ArcelorMittal SA

Full story:
http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=696145