3/5/2016/Transparency International

Nearly one in three citizens who tried to access basic public services in the Middle East and North Africa paid a bribe, a Transparency International (www.Transparency.org) report said today, showing that governments across the region have failed to hear their citizens’ voices against corruption.

According to a public opinion survey by the international anti-corruption group of nearly 11,000 adults in 9 countries and territories, the majority of people (61 per cent) across the region think that the level of corruption has gone up over the last 12 months. The 30 percent who paid a bribe for a basic service represent the equivalent of nearly 50 million people. Click here for the full report: http://www.apo.af/mKZJhy.

“It’s as if the Arab Spring never happened. Leaders who fail to stop secrecy, fail to promote free speech and fail to stop bribery also fail to bring dignity to the daily lives of people living in the Middle East and North Africa. Peoples’ human rights are seriously affected,” said José Ugaz, Chair of Transparency International.

Public dissatisfaction with corrupt leaders and regimes was a key catalyst for change in region, notably with Arab Spring protests. Five years on, the survey finds governments have done little to enforce laws against corruption and bribery, nor have they done enough for transparency and accountability through the promotion of freedoms of the press, civil society and for individuals.

In Lebanon, numbers are alarming as nine in ten people (92 per cent) say that they think corruption has increased.

Government officials, tax officials and members of parliament are perceived to be the most corrupt groups in the region.

Based on the findings of the survey, here are our four top recommendations:

• Governments in the region must speak out immediately and publicly about their commitment to end corruption. They must also finally deliver on their anti-corruption commitments made globally and regionally, such as under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Arabic Convention for Combating Corruption.

• Governments must eradicate impunity and bring the corrupt to justice so they can take responsibility for the consequences of their acts. 

• Governments must create a safe and enabling environment for civil society and the media to fight and report corruption.

• Governments must involve their citizens in the fight against corruption and create the space to hold institutions to account and to help law enforcement institutions. This is especially important when the majority of citizens (58 per cent) believe they have the power to make a difference.

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April 8, 2016/AGCO Corporation

Massey Ferguson (www.MasseyFerguson.com), a worldwide brand of AGCO (NYSE:AGCO) (http://www.AGCOcorp.com), is proud to announce that it can now offer its customers a ‘one stop shop’ for all their machinery requirements by selling a complete range of MF Implements which provide a perfect fit with any Massey Ferguson tractor from 35 to 130 hp. The range will have its first public viewing at Vision of the Future event to be held in Lusaka, Zambia on 7-8 April 2016.

This new Massey Ferguson line consists of a range of more than 100 MF Agricultural Implements for a variety of different requirements to complement the existing range of Massey Ferguson Planters and Drills. It forms part of Massey Ferguson’s strategy to be a full line exclusive supplier in all markets.

Designed to fit any tractor from 35 to 130hp, the MF Implements are ideal partners for the MF 35, MF 200, MF 300, MF 400 until MF 4700, MF 5700 and MF 6700 Tractor Series.

The range of MF Implements comprises:

• MF Disc plough (fixed and reversible) from 2 to 5 discs
• MF Mouldboard plough (fixed and reversible) from 2 to 4 furrows
• MF Disc harrow (mounted, trailed or tandem version) from 2 to 3.5m working width
• MF Tine cultivator, up to 17 tines
• MF Subsoiler, up to 5 legs
• MF Chisel, up to 3 m
• MF Trailers from 3 to 12 tonnes
• MF Transport box
• MF Rotary topper

The MF Implements are designed and constructed to the same high standards as the Massey Ferguson tractors, and have been carefully selected not only to match the range of tractor power available, but also to ideally meet the farming needs of agricultural businesses in Africa and the Middle East.

“Massey Ferguson has launched this range to support the development of mechanised farming through the well known farming concept that originates from Harry Ferguson himself: promoting not only a tractor or some implements, but a complete solution for farmers,” said Thierry Lhotte, Vice President, Marketing, Massey Ferguson – Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

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March 2, 2016/ICD

Find out what investment options are available to Chinese investors in key OIC markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East

China’s meteoric economic rise and the burgeoning ascendancy of OIC nations in the international landscape are altering global economic power dynamics, and players from both markets are eager to tap the lucrative opportunities arising from stronger bilateral ties.

With a more inclusive  foreign policy, including a renewed stance on the Middle East and Africa, Chinese president Xi Jinping has set the motion for greater China-OIC relations – with the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative a central pillar to China’s grand strategy. Yet, questions remain including: what are the considerations for market players from both sides of the divide in capitalizing this flow of opportunities and how can these linkages be created?

In light of this development, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (http://www.ICD-ps.org), private sector arm of Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB), is hosting for the first time ever, a groundbreaking event to connect investors and regulators from Asia, Africa and the Gulf with senior decision-makers of the world’s second-largest economy.

To be held at the Westin Beijing Financial Street Hotel in Beijing on the 22^nd March 2016, and with senior-level participation from state-owned funds such as the Silk Road Fund and the China Africa Development Fund, the pioneering China OIC Forum is expected to gather over 300 senior regulators, multilateral institutions and market players with the aim of enhancing partnerships between key industry players and multilateral bodies as well as identify joint investment opportunities.
Why attend?

• The opportunity to meet decision-makers from China’s largest funds, banks and state-owned enterprises
• High-level discussions focused on opportunities available to Chinese firms and institutions in global project and infrastructure finance deals
• Find out what investment options are available to Chinese investors in key OIC markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and
• Establish connections and trade partnerships in line with the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative.

With a stellar speaker lineup, the forum will serve as an excellent platform to meet seniour decision-makers from Chinese state-owned firms and development banks as well as leading bankers and corporates from key OIC markets.

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