African countries have asked the European Union (EU) to extend the on-going Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA’s) talks by one year. The trade ministers and experts from the continent said the region could not conclude the EPAs negotiations before December. The trade talks are expected to develop a new policy to govern trade between the 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and replace the existing Cotonou Agreement.

Nairobi to Host Sudan Investment Meeting

The Second Annual Southern Sudan Investment and Development Conference will be held at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi in March. Bola Associates Limited,  CWC GROUP, New Sudan Foundation and the Prime Resource International of UK will facilitate the March 12-15 2007, meeting. The Theme of the conference is ‘Building the Foundation for growth’.

Burundi Rejoices as Uganda Worries over Coffee

Burundi’s coffee output grew by 343% in 2006 due to good rains, prices and political stability. The Arabica coffee grower produced 31,000 tonnes in 2006 compared to 7,000 tonnes previously. Uganda, on the other hand, is increasing efforts to fight the deadly coffee wilt disease. A coffee wilt disease imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1993 spread rapidly throughout the Robusta coffee growing regions.

Zimbabwe Maize Prices Soar

Zimbabwe has drastically increased prices for the staple maize adding a new potential inflation risk. The price of maize rocked up to Z$58,000 a tonne from a heavily subsidized Z$600.

Morocco Lessens Import Tariffs

Morocco has slashed soft wheat import tariffs to lower prices on the domestic market. Under a government executive decree, soft wheat import tariffs were lowered to 60% from 130% if the imported price of soft wheat is at or less than 1,00 dirhams ($117.9) per tonne. The cut will speed the flow of soft wheat imports and make the commodity