Author: Database of Press Releases related to Africa

TOKYO, Japan, April 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. Given the current situation of Egypt, Mr.Yutaka Iimura, Special Representative of the Government of Japan, visited Egypt from April 15th to 17th and met Mr.Nabil Fahmi, Foreign Minis…

MARRAKECH, Morocco, April 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Dassault Aviation will present its large cabin, long range Falcon 7X (http://www.dassaultfalcon.com/7X) at the fourth Marrakech Air Show, to be held in Morocco April 23-26. It will be Dassault’s second appearance at the show, which bills itself as the foremost trade show in the African region.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/dassault-falcon.png

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1004 (Dassault Aviation will present its large cabin, long range Falcon 7X at the fourth Marrakech Air Show, to be held in Morocco April 23-26)

The flagship Falcon 7X, the first business jet equipped with digital flight controls, has a range of 5,950 nautical miles and can comfortably fly from Marrakech to Beijing, Los Angeles or Cape Town non-stop.

“Thanks to strong development of the economy and fast growth in industries such as mining, oil and gas, agriculture and construction, we see great potential in Africa for long-term growth in business aviation,” said Gilles Gautier, Vice President, Falcon Sales for Dassault Aviation. “Business jets are an ideal way to get around such a vast continent, where airline connections are often limited and ground infrastructure, minimal.”

More than 70 Falcon jets are in operation in the African region, around 15% of them in North Africa. Another ten Falcons are on order for delivery in 2014-15, most of them for the Falcon 7X.

Dassault recently celebrated the rollout of the 250th 7X – the fastest any Falcon jet has ever reached this milestone. Well over 200 units are currently in service in 34 countries and the fleet has accumulated more than 250,000 flight hours since the 7X was introduced in 2007.

Last year, the 7X was approved to carry Dassault’s second-generation intuitive EASy II flight deck. The award winning platform offers a number of significant enhancements, including enhanced and synthetic vision systems, Satellite Based Augmentation System capabilities and new air traffic management features to ensure compliance with future regulations.

The exceptional short field and hot-and-high performance, sturdiness and operating economics of the 7X and other new Falcon models make them ideal for the tough conditions and vast expanses of the African continent.

They can access many challenging airports where competitors are unable to operate or can do so only with limited range. All in-production Falcons are approved for operation into and out of London City Airport – one of the world’s most restricted facilities. The 7X can fly non-stop out of London City as far as New York, Dubai or Lagos.

The unparalleled performance and flexibility of Falcon jets has made them a special favorite among African government users, which operate 30% of the Falcons in the region.

“Falcons are universally appreciated for their large and quiet cabin, advanced design and fuel efficiency,” remarked Gautier. “Not only are Falcons less expensive to operate, they also retain greater value on resale. On average, 7X operators will save up to $10 million in total cost of ownership over a 6 year period compared to its closest competitors.”

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Dassault Falcon.

Notes for Editors

Dassault Falcon (http://www.dassaultfalcon.com/7X) is the recognized global brand for Dassault business jets which are designed, manufactured and supported by Dassault Aviation and Dassault Falcon Jet Corp.

About Dassault Aviation

Dassault Aviation (http://www.dassault-aviation.com) is a leading aerospace company with a presence in over 80 countries across five continents. It produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcons. The company employs a workforce of over 11,000 and has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities around the globe. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,250 Falcon jets have been delivered. The family of Falcon jets currently in production includes the tri-jets— the Falcon 900LX and the 7X— as well as the twin-engine 2000S, the Falcon 2000LXS and the new Falcon 5X.

About Dassault Falcon Jet

Dassault Falcon Jet Corp. is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, France. Dassault Falcon Jet markets and supports the Falcon family of business jets throughout North America, South America and the Pacific Rim countries of Asia, including the People’s Republic of China.

Press Contacts

Dassault Aviation (Saint-Cloud, France)

Vadim Feldzer Tel. +33 1 47 11 44 13

vadim.feldzer@dassault-aviation.com

Marie-Alexandrine Fouillard Tel. +33 1 47 11 64 23

marie-alexandrine.fouillard@dassault-aviation.com

Dassault Falcon Jet (Teterboro Airport, USA)

Andrew Ponzoni Tel. +1 201 541 45 88

andrew.ponzoni@falconjet.com

Grant Kielczewski Tel. +1 201 541 46 79

grant.kielczewski@falconjet.com

Follow us on Twitter: @DassaultFalcon

Photos

Copy and paste the link into your browser to access the high resolution photos: http://www.falconphotogallery.com

For more information about Dassault Falcon business jets, visit: http://www.dassaultfalcon.com

OTTAWA, Canada, April 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, today announced a joint funding contribution of $1,285,000 to address the current outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa.

“In a situation like the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa, it is of critical importance to implement measures to end the chain of transmission,” said Minister Paradis. “We must ensure strong surveillance and investigation as well as a coordinated response to new or suspected cases. Canada’s support will play a critical role in responding to and preventing the spread of this deadly disease.”

“Biological threats such as the current Ebola outbreak do not recognize borders,” said Minister Baird. “They represent a global problem that requires coordinated international action across multiple sectors, including health and security. Canada’s contribution underscores the importance of obtaining cooperation from various sectors to help prevent, detect and rapidly respond to infectious diseases.”

“The Government of Canada welcomes the World Health Organization’s rapid efforts to address this outbreak of Ebola, one of the most virulent diseases known to humans,” said Minister Ambrose. “Canada is pleased to join other countries in this response and urges other donors to support the WHO.”

CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, April 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — DHL (http://www.dpdhl.com) are seeing robust growth from their financial services customers in Africa and while the banking sector continues to play a significant role in economic development for the continent, the sector also fueled DHL’s expansion into Africa in 1978 when global banks needed to get documentation to Africa. This is according to Sumesh Rahavendra of DHL Express SSA, who says that the continent’s growing economy, increased political stability and willingness to trade with international partners presents a significant opportunity for financial service entities to expand their customer base and derive revenue from traditional banking products.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/dhl_logo2.jpg

Photo Sumesh Rahavendra: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/sumesh_rahavendra.jpg (Sumesh Rahavendra of DHL Express Sub-Saharan (SSA)

Rahavendra adds that retail banking, in particular, is a key focus for both international and regional banks, and requires these entities to extend their footprint and make financial services products available in regions previously unexplored. According to KPMG’s 2014 Financial Services in Africa report, retail banking in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 15% between now and 2020, bringing the sector’s contribution to the continent’s collective GDP to 19% from an estimated 11% in 2009.

According to Rahavendra, opportunities for financial service companies moving into Africa include trade finance for corporate customers and retail banking for private individuals, which appear to be the most immediate needs in the region. “Retail banking in particular is a key opportunity, as the demand for formal banking services that enable the provision of credit and loans for vehicles and homes are growing. This can be attributed to the burgeoning middle class in Africa, which according to the African Development Bank, has tripled over the past three decades to 355 million or more than 34% of the continent’s population. Whilst interest rates remain high in most countries across the continent, having access to structured banking products, and credit in particular, enables economic growth.”

“There is also a trend where multinational banking institutions partner with local entities who are familiar with the region, which allows them to meet the needs of their customers across diverse regions. Similarly, having access to partners that are familiar with the continent is the key to success for many banks expanding into the region. “It is necessary to partner with suppliers that have the security, flexibility and reliability to offer quality and reliable service, despite the many challenges that the region may present.

“Being open to opportunities in historically unattractive countries is also key to success in Africa. Whilst perceived risks may be high, the rewards are equally so since Africans are discerning consumers and readily pay for quality products and services.”

Rahavendra explains that despite the many opportunities, financial service providers are also likely to experience challenges in the region. “Customs clearance can present challenges in some markets, with varying regulations and tariffs that may impact the movement of physical goods such as IT equipment, marketing material and bank cards. Understanding these regulations, anticipating the impact of customs clearance and the related customs charges such as VAT and duties will assist the sometimes difficult processes.”

“Despite new technology to enable document transmission, real document shipment numbers within the region continue to grow year-on-year. The financial services industry therefore continues to make a significant contribution to our overall shipment volumes, and investment in innovative solutions for this sector remains a priority for DHL Express across Sub-Saharan Africa and across the world,” concludes Rahavendra.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Deutsche Post DHL.

Media Contact:

Megan Collinicos. Head: Advertising & Public Relations, Sub-Saharan Africa

DHL Express

Tel +27 21 409 3613 Mobile +27 76 411 8570

megan.collinicos@dhl.com

DHL – The Logistics company for the world

DHL (http://www.dpdhl.com) is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 285,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 55 billion euros in 2013.

For more information: http://www.dpdhl.com

Stock images available: http://www.dpdhl.com/en/media_relations/media_library.html

JUBA, South Sudan, April 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Country representatives of key non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies and donors in South Sudan unite in condemning recent days’ attacks against civilians in Bentiu,

Bor, and other parts of the country. Humanitarian partners are particularly outraged by deliberate and targeted killings of civilians in hospitals, churches, UN peacekeeping bases and other places where people’s rights should be sacrosanct.

Aid agencies pledge to continue to stand with all civilians in South Sudan, whoever they are – in particular with the children, women and elderly people who bear the brunt of this conflict.

Humanitarian organizations have deployed emergency surgical teams to Bentiu and Bor, boosting the health response to the recent violence. Aid workers also continue to provide food, shelter, water, protection and other essential services, including to civilians sheltering inside UN peacekeeping bases.

Across the country, aid agencies aim to provide life-saving assistance to 3.2 million people, who face increasingly difficult conditions, by June 2014.

CAIRO, Egypt, April 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

– Latest addition to global line-up of iconic city monuments lit by Philips

– 21st century LED technology to highlight iconic city monuments during fifth consecutive Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow

Royal Philips (http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow) (AEX: PHIA, NYSE: PHG), the global leader in lighting, today unveiled a stunning lighting makeover of the historic, well-renowned Baron Palace, one of the oldest buildings in Cairo as part of its fifth consecutive pan-African Cairo to Cape Town roadshow (http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow). Philips’ latest LED technology combining warm and cool daylight colors has been used to highlight the palace’s features as never before. The innovative LED Lighting allows energy savings of 80% over the traditional lights that are currently used in the Palace and has a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours.

Logo Philips: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/philips-1.jpg

Photos: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?searchterms=baron&level=search

Download the bannere: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/bannere.jpg

Download the infographic: http://www.apo-mail.org/140417.pdf

About Baron Palace

The Baron Palace was built between 1907 and 1911 for the Belgian-born industrialist, Baron-General Edouard Louis Joseph Empain (1852-1929). He chose the prestigious location in Heliopolis and ordered Alexander Marcel, a French architect and a member of the prestigious French Institute, to build him a palace with an architectural style that was very different. The Palace was constructed in reinforced concrete over a rotating base which revolves the palace to access sun beams in all directions. Today, the palace, which is located close to the presidential Palace, remains a tourist attraction as an architectural masterpiece with a rich history and unique design.

“The lighting up of the Baron Palace creates an almost mythical atmosphere around the palace that brings history to life. Philips is very proud to have placed its know-how and technology at the service of this iconic monument. For us the challenge was to devise effective lighting while respecting the authenticity of this monument. The lighting really had to enhance the beauty of the site without at any time overwhelming it. We are very proud of the final result and hope it will improve the tourism value of the Palace”, says Tamer Abol Ghar, CEO, Philips Egypt and General Manager, Philips Lighting Egypt & Sudan.

The advantages of the LED lighting provided at Baron Palace include:

• Dynamic lighting that makes it possible to adjust the atmosphere of the site (change of intensity and color).

• A longer lifespan of the installation: around 50,000 hours compared to 12,000 hours with conventional lighting.

• A reduction in maintenance costs: LED luminaires require little maintenance, while at the same time they cut energy consumption by 80%.

The Baron Palace is the latest world-renowned site to be transformed by Philips in Egypt; Philips is also responsible for the illumination of the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, the Cairo Tower, and the Nile West Bank in Luxor as well as the Hibiz Temple in the Western Desert. As the number one lighting company in the world, Philips has transformed iconic city landmarks around the globe and during the Cairo to Cape Town roadshow 2014 (http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow), will be providing a lighting makeover of historic, well-recognized monuments in African cities.

First stop on the fifth pan-African Cairo to Cape Town roadshow

Cairo was the first stop on Philips’ annual flagship Cairo to Cape Town roadshow (http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow) (from 14 April to 3 September 2014) which focuses on key challenges facing Africa today – the need for energy-efficient lighting and the revitalization of African healthcare infrastructure. Philips has committed to lighting up and illuminating one iconic monument in every city visited during the roadshow with the latest LED technology. As the number one LED lighting company in the world, Philips will now provide a stunning lighting makeover of historic, well-recognized monuments in African cities.

The Roadshow will make its way across seven countries and ten cities in Africa; next stop will be in Algiers on 12th May followed by Casablanca, Morocco on 27th of May.

For more information please follow the Cairo to Cape Town roadshow on: http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Royal Philips.

For further information, please contact:

Radhika Choksey

Philips Group Communications – Africa

Tel: +31 62525 9000

E-mail: radhika.choksey@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (http://www.philips.com) (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2013 sales of EUR 23.3 billion and employs approximately 115,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement
Marie Harf
Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 17, 2014

The United States strongly condemns the attack on the UN Mission in S…

OTTAWA, Canada, April 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On April 17, 2014, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt Nabil Fahmy and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada John Baird held a warm and productive meeting in Cai…

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The five members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) team abducted on 8 February 2014 in northern Mali have been released today. Two of them have minor injuries but their condition is not life-threatening and they will all soon be reunited with their families.

The ICRC staff members, all Malian, were freed by chance during a military operation conducted by French forces in the north of the country.

“We are relieved that everything turned out well for our staff,” said Christoph Luedi, head of the ICRC delegation in Mali. “For the families, who were notified straight away, it is the end of an ordeal. We would like to thank the local people, community and religious leaders and all those who helped us through this difficult period, as well as our staff members’ families for their patience and courage.”

“We hope that this happy ending for our staff means that the ICRC’s activities to help people affected by the conflict in Mali can continue nationwide. Once again, we call for respect for the strictly humanitarian work of the ICRC and the Mali Red Cross,” said Mr Luedi.

JUBA, South Sudan, April 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “I am deeply saddened and frustrated by the violence that has ravaged Bentiu and Bor in the past 72 hours. There is no excuse for direct attacks on civilians, or on those risking their own lives to protect them.

These events show, yet again, the pointlessness of the violence engulfing South Sudan. The current cycle of revenge will get the people of this country nowhere. It wrecks the present, and casts a dark shadow over what should have been a very bright future.

I call on the parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and resume meaningful negotiations to find a political solution to their differences. And I call on the wisdom and compassion of all South Sudanese, from all the diverse communities that make up this country, to do whatever they can to put an end to the fighting, before more innocent men, women and children are lost.”