Africa’s increasing economic growth potential has created the need for a forum where leaders in the sector can exchange ideas around investing in agricultural production. Hosted by CCA's Agribusiness Initiatives Program and The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) will convene agribusiness leaders at the 2008 U.S.-Africa Agribusiness Forum will be held in Chicago, Illinois, June 25-27 to discuss processing and marketing of food, fuel and climate change. The 2008 Agribusiness Forum, Titled Investing in Agriculture Links in Africa, is expected to attract more than 300 leaders from the private and public sectors in the U.S. and Africa.

Tunisia Boosting German Tourists

Tunisian tourist professionals are leaving no stone unturned in order to re-conquer the German Market that witnessed a slump of 6% in 2007. This determination to boost Tunisian tourism in Germany was echoed by words of Tunisia’s tourism Minister Mr Khelil Lajimi who said, “we shall re-conquer the German market with the means available to us”. The statement was made in Berlin during the Berlin International Tourism Bourse (ITB) which runs from March 5 to 9, 2008. Tunisia is taking an active part in the Bourse, thanks to a strong delegation, as well as ‘Niche tourism’ such as golf and spa tourism, which cannot go unnoticed by visitors. In 2007, German tourists spent $400 million in Tunisia, an increase of 5,6% in comparison with 2006.

Burundi, Rwanda Varsities Join EA Council

Burundi and Rwanda, which became full members of the East African Community last year, are set to be admitted to the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA). A press statement signed by IUCEA executive secretary Prof. Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha said ‘membership of Burundi and Rwanda to the body was top on the agenda.’ The meeting brings together vice chancellors and principals of both public and private IUCEA-member universities. The council is a regional inter-governmental organization whose mission is to encourage and develop mutually beneficial collaboration between universities and governments in East Africa.

First-ever Global Forum on Health in Kampala

The Government of Uganda in partnership with the Global Health Workforce Alliance (GHWA) held the first-ever Global Forum on Human and Health Resources in the Ugandan capital, Kampala. The forum, which was attended by over 1,000 participants, aimed at addressing the shortage of health workers around the world. It also sought to establish the link between the shortage and the achievement of international health goals. Under the theme: “the time for action is now”, the forum hosted delegates from 57 countries identified by World Health Organization as undergoing an acute crisis of health workers shortage, a neglected topic. The crisis has been recognized as a fundamental constraint to the achievement of international health goals, including those on AIDS, TB and Malaria, and the strengthening of health systems.

Sudan Border Demarcation Begins

The border demarcation between semi-autonomous South Sudan and the rest of the country has started in accordance with the peace agreement signed by the former rebel group Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Khartoum government. South Sudan president Salva Kiir said this. Kiir, who is also the Vice-President of the Sudan, made the announcement at the weekend during a briefing with journalists in Entebbe, Uganda. He also disclosed that by April 2008, a population census will be conducted which will result in the holding of general elections in Southern Sudan in 2009. This, he says will be followed by a referendum in 2011 to determine the future of the relations between the South and the North.