Africa

GSMA Opens Office

The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has opened its African office in Nairobi to effectively support the growing African telecoms market. The association's African headquarters will be based in Nairobi's iHub and will enable the GSMA to work more closely with its members and other industry stakeholders to extend the reach and socio-economic benefits of mobile communications throughout the continent. GSMA said they were excited to launch the new office in Africa as the region is becoming an increasingly vibrant and critical market to the mobile industry. GSMA is an association of mobile telcoms and operators across the world with 800 members from 220 countries and regions, including Kenya. CA

China

AU Special Summit

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang paid an official visit to Zimbabwe and attended the celebration of the AU Golden Jubilee from May 21 to 25. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the AU is headquartered, Wang attended a special summit of the African Union to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Organization for African Unity, the predecessor to the African Union. He was there for the event as President Xi Jinping's special representative. CA

China

Foreign Entry Rules

The Chinese Government in May released a draft of regulations relating to foreigners' entry and residence in China and what is regarded as illegal entry, stay or work in the country. According to the regulations, foreigners must obtain work permits and residence certificates for employment before being employed. It will also be illegal for foreigners to remain in the country beyond their visa-free stay period or to leave areas where they are allowed to stay. Foreigners who violate China's laws and regulations and are deemed "unsuitable" to stay will be given an exit deadline of no more than 30 days, according to the draft. The 61-article draft was released by the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, on www.chinalaw.gov.cn to solicit public opinions until June 3. CA

China

China-Africa Health Cooperation

The fourth International Roundtable on China-Africa Health Cooperation was held in Gaborone, Botswana in May to explore new opportunities to strengthen cooperation between China and Africa on health issues. The Roundtable brought African and Chinese leaders together to share experiences, discuss progress and past lessons and make recommendations on how China-Africa health cooperation can be strengthened. These recommendations will be presented for consideration at the Ministerial Forum of China-Africa Health Development to be held in Beijing in August 2013, and will help shape China-Africa health-related cooperation in the future. This forum is a part of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. CA

China

Diversified New Media Sector

China's new media sector has been maturing, with global industry leaders and vibrant smaller enterprises, according to a report recently published by Xinhua News Agency. With the popularity of new media, most notably, the wide use of mobile Internet and smartphones, China's new media sector has diversified its structure by integrating the Internet, communications, hardware, software and information services industries. Leading players in the industry, including major companies like China Mobile and Huawei, have picked up the pace in improving their global layout, the report said. Although some Chinese firms' overseas acquisition efforts have been thwarted, their global expansion will continue, the report said.

Numbers

$1.3 billion

Amount China has allocated to support low-rent housing projects in 2013

$8.44 billion

Foreign direct investment in China in April

13.2%

Increase in Egypt's unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2013

5.5%

Estimated economic growth in Ghana 2013

20%

Year-on-year increase in China's gold demand in the first quarter of 2013