East Africa looks to boost exports through trade balance

 In the wake of the global economic crisis, Kenya’s exports grew rapidly, rising from KSh344.9bn ($3.9bn) in 2009 to KSh409.8bn ($4.6bn) in 2010, a jump of 18.8%, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Even amidst the slowdown in eurozone demand, overseas sales continued to increase over the following year, climbing 24.7% to hit KSh511bn ($5.8bn) in 2011. The pace of expansion has slowed since then and, in 2012, exports were relatively flat, rising by 1.3%..... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 16th January 2015

Kenya pursuing manufacturing growth

 Kenya’s government is currently considering the final iteration of a bill that would establish three special economic zones (SEZs) within the country. The SEZs will allow lower levels of taxation and fewer regulatory hurdles, and will focus primarily on industrial activity, in particular textile production. The SEZ bill is part of a broader initiative to boost the manufacturing sector, diversify the country’s exports and encourage the creation of up to 1m industrial.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 16th January 2015

ION Geophysical to acquire 2D seismic in offshore Puntland

 ION Geophysical has announced that it has signed the first of a kind offshore multi-client 2D seismic survey  agreement with the Puntland Petroleum and Minerals Agency.   According to ION Geophysical the survey will help demarcate  a block boundary scheme  for future licensing activity as well as provide more than 7,600 km of pre-stack depth-migrated data to help explorationists gain a better understanding of both the architecture of the sedimentary basins.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 16th January 2015

Drilling of Kifaru-1 well in Mozambique begins

 Wentworth Resources has announced the beginning of drilling operations on the Kifaru-1 exploration well by the Helmerich & Payne rig #243 in the Rovuma Onshore Concession in northern Mozambique.   The Kifaru-1 exploration well is targeting Miocene sands, similar to the reservoirs in the Mnazi Bay and Msimbati gas fields in southern Tanzania, as well as Oligocene and Cretaceous sands.   The Kifaru-1 well has a planned total depth of 4,050 meters True Vertical.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 16th January 2015

2015 Designated The International Year Of Light And Light-Based Technologies

The United Nations has designated 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies to raise awareness on light science and how light-based technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to global challenges such as energy, education, agriculture and health. The official launch of the year (IYL2015) takes place on  January 19-20, 2015 in Paris. While lighting accounts for about 20 percent of electricity consumption, about 1.4.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 16th January 2015

UK exporters competing for business in Africa

 UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK's export credit agency, has announced that it is making enhanced cover available to UK exporters competing for business in Rwanda. Enhancing the cover available means that, for the first time, UKEF will be able to provide guarantees for repayments to banks financing UK capital goods and services, as well as projects involving UK exporters. UKEF is also able to provide insurance to UK exporters against the risk of non-payment in Rwanda. The.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th January 2015

Africa to Set Up Independent Body to boost industrialization

 Oromia is conducting a study which could lead to the establishment of an autonomous body that will be fully in charge of industrial development in the region, instead of the Industry & Urban Development Bureau as is the case now. This follows from Addis Abeba, which set up the Industry Development Bureau in November 2014, taking it out of Trade and Industry Bureau. This bureau, currently recruiting staff, could open its doors in less than two weeks, Yohannes Bekele,.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th January 2015

Sh2bn to help boost power supply system

 Kenya Power has secured $25 million (Sh2.25 billion) funding from the Africa Finance Corporation.The money is part of a $150 million syndicated loan that the company is seeking to fund rehabilitation of its network ahead of absorption of extra 5,000 megawatts of power that are to be generated from the government’s plan to scale up power production by the end of next year. The terms of the loan remain undisclosed but according to a statement from AFC, the credit will boost.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th January 2015

Centum to raise Sh39bn for Lamu coal power plant

 Investment firm Centum is set to raise at least Sh39 billion as its share for the $1.8 billion (Sh163 billion) Lamu Coal power plant which it is building in a joint consortium.Centum and Gulf Energy, another Kenyan firm, form part of a consortium that won the tender to build the 960 megawatt (MW) power plant. Chinese multinationals Sichuan Electric Power Design and Consulting Company Limited, Sichuan Power Construction Company and China Huadian Corporation Power Operation.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th January 2015

Brookside to recruit 10,000 farmers on doubled processing capacity

 Milk processor Brookside Dairy is targeting to recruit at least 10,000 new farmers in a bid to raise supply of the product following an expansion that doubled its uptake capacity.The milk firm has just concluded a multi-billion shilling expansion that increased its processing capacity.   “The factory expansion included installation of a powder milk processing line which doubled the company’s daily raw milk intake capacity to two million litres,” said Mr.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th January 2015

Keroche pumps Sh4 billion into factory expansion and brand diversity

 Keroche Breweries has invested Sh4 billion to expand its Naivasha plant. Company chief executive Tabitha Karanja said the brewer will also be increasing its range of products. “Keroche is embracing advanced brewing technology to ensure Kenyans and the region get sufficient supply of high-quality bear,” she said. Mrs Karanja spoke in Nakuru yesterday during a marketing tour.She said Keroche is putting up a modern plant which will double production. She said the new.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th January 2015

KNH receives four dialysis machines from Egypt

 The Kenyatta National Hospital has received dialysis machines from the Egyptian government. Making the donation Monday, Egypt Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shouky revealed that his country will sponsor training for 50 health professionals on cancers affecting children.   In addition, the minister said 10 children suffering from cancer will be air-lifted to Egypt for specialised treatment. Though he did not give dates when the children and the professionals will travel.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th January 2015