Author: Database of Press Releases related to Africa

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, April 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — H.E. Dr. Martial De Paul Ikounga Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology signed a GMES and Africa Cooperative Arrangement Statement with his counterparts…

NEW YORK, April 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia decided on 3 April 2014 to de-list the following individual from the list of individuals subject to the travel restrictions imposed by paragraph 4 (a) of resolution 1521 (2003) (the travel ban list). The measures no longer apply to this individual.

Mr. Orhan DRAGAŠ.

CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, April 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Depois de ganhar vários prémios pelo seu trabalho em África em 2013, a DHL Express (http://www.dpdhl.com) foi uma vez mais reconhecida por vários feitos na região, destacando o seu continuado investimento e compromisso para com o desenvolvimento e melhoria do serviço ao cliente e talento humano no continente.

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

Photo Charles Brewer: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/charles-brewer.jpg (Charles Brewer, Diretor executivo da DHL Express da África subsariana)

Desde janeiro de 2014, a empresa de logística recebeu onze prémios globais, incluindo os prémios Stevie e Jobberman.com, que reconhecem feitos na excelência dos funcionários, serviço ao cliente, prestação de serviços e gestão de RH, só para mencionar alguns setores.

De acordo com Charles Brewer, Diretor executivo da DHL Express da África subsariana, estes prémios sublinham a forma como a empresa consegue consistentemente desbloquear o potencial do capital humano e aliar estes talentos a soluções inovadoras do setor que, em última instância, melhoram o nível de serviço ao cliente na África subsariana.

Afirma Brewer que estes prémios chamam a atenção para o calibre do talento disponível no continente, bem como para a importância de desenvolver continuamente o talento e os níveis de envolvimento dos funcionários. “Se desenvolvidos e geridos corretamente, estes níveis de envolvimento podem produzir colaboradores que oferecem um nível de serviço ao cliente excecional.

“Segundo um estudo publicado recentemente pela Emergence Growth, o envolvimento dos funcionários na África subsariana é superior em relação a outras regiões globais avaliadas e cerca de 72% dos funcionários na região consideram-se “envolvidos”.

“De acordo com o estudo, um funcionário envolvido é considerado como totalmente absorvido no seu trabalho, intelectualmente envolvido e, por conseguinte, motivado para fazer o seu melhor trabalho para a empresa. Garantimos que o desenvolvimento de talentos e dos funcionários desempenha um papel integral na nossa estratégia contínua, uma vez que os colaboradores valorizados e envolvidos garantem um negócio rentável e de sucesso.”

Os prémios ganhos em 2014 até à data incluem o prémio para os 100 melhores locais para trabalhar na Nigéria da Jobberman.com, um Prémio Stevie de Ouro pelo Volume de Vendas do ano, um Prémio Stevie de Prata pela equipa de Formação em Serviço ao Cliente do ano, dois Prémios Stevie de Bronze na categoria de seguros e alfândega, dois Prémios PMR Africa (Ouro e Diamante) na Namíbia, dois Prémios PMR Africa (Ouro e Prata) na África do Sul e dois Prémios PMR Africa no Quénia.

Brewer afirma que estes prémios são um testemunho da visão, paixão e atitude da empresa. Criam uma combinação saudável de reconhecimento que vai do serviço ao cliente a funcionários motivados – ambos os aspetos fazem parte dos nossos quatro pilares, que são Pessoas motivadas, Excelente qualidade de serviço, Clientes fiéis e Rede rentável.

“Valorizamos verdadeiramente o reconhecimento externo e acreditamos que afirma a nossa posição como Especialistas Internacionais em África. Com o nosso investimento continuado e expansão planeada para toda a África, estamos confiantes de que 2014 será outro ano excelente para nós. Estamos há 36 anos em África e não mostramos sinais de abrandamento”, conclui Brewer.

Distribuído pela APO (African Press Organization) em nome da Deutsche Post DHL.

Contactos para a comunicação social:

Megan Collinicos. Responsável: Publicidade e Relações Públicas, África subsariana

DHL Express

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

megan.collinicos@dhl.com

DHL – A empresa de logística para o mundo

A DHL (http://www.dpdhl.com) é líder de mercado global na indústria da logística e “A empresa de logística para o mundo”. A DHL dedica os seus conhecimentos de especialidade em transporte expresso, aéreo e marítimo internacional, transporte rodoviário e ferroviário, logística de contratos e serviços de correio postal internacionais aos seus clientes. Uma rede global composta por mais de 220 países e territórios e cerca de 285 mil funcionários em todo o mundo oferecem uma qualidade de serviço superior e conhecimentos locais para responder às suas necessidades de cadeia de fornecimento. A DHL aceita a sua responsabilidade social apoiando a proteção do meio ambiente, gestão de catástrofes e educação.

A DHL faz parte da Deutsche Post DHL. O Grupo gerou receitas superiores a 55 mil milhões de euros em 2013.

Para mais informações: http://www.dpdhl.com

CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, April 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Having won multiple awards for its work in Africa in 2013, DHL Express (http://www.dpdhl.com) has once again been recognized for various achievements in the region, highlighting its continued investment and commitment to developing and improving customer service and human talent across the continent.

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

Photo Charles Brewer: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/charles-brewer.jpg (Charles Brewer, Managing Director for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa)

Since January 2014 the logistics company has received eleven global awards, including Stevie and Jobberman.com awards, which recognize achievements in staff excellence, customer service, service delivery and HR management, to name a few.

According to Charles Brewer, Managing Director of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, these awards highlight how the company is consistently able to unlock human capital potential, and marry these talents with innovative industry solutions which ultimately improve the level of customer service in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He says that these awards draw attention to the caliber of talent available on the continent, as well as the importance of continually developing employees’ talent and engagement levels. “If developed and managed correctly, these engagement levels can result in employees offering exceptional service to clients.

“According to a recently published survey conducted by Emergence Growth, employee engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa is higher than in all other global regions measured, and as many as 72% of employees in the region are considered “engaged”.

“According to the study, an engaged employee is considered one that is fully absorbed in their work, intellectually involved and thus motivated to do their best work for the company. We ensure that talent and employee development plays an integral role in our ongoing strategy, as valuable and engaged staff will ensure a successful and profitable business.”

The awards won in 2014 thus far include Jobberman.com’s 100 best places to work in Nigeria, a Gold Stevie Award for Sales Turnaround of the year, a Silver Stevie Award for Customer Service Training team of the year, two Bronze Stevie Awards in the insurance and customs category, two PMR Africa Awards (Gold and Diamond) in Namibia, two PMR Africa Awards (Gold and Silver) in South Africa and two PMR Africa Awards in Kenya.

Brewer says that these awards are testament to the company’s vision, passion and attitude. There is a healthy mix of recognition ranging from customer service to motivated employees – both of which form part of our four pillars, which are Motivated People, Great Service Quality, Loyal Customers and a Profitable Network.

“We truly value external recognition and believe that it affirms our position as the International Specialists in Africa. With our continued investment and expansion planned across Africa, we are confident that 2014 will be another great year for us – 36 years and counting in Africa and we’re showing no signs of slowing down,” concludes Brewer.

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

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM Angola has received USD 1 million from the Government of Japan to facilitate the safe voluntary return of at least 1,950 Angolans from neighbouring countries to their places of origin in Angola.

The nine-month project will be implemented in close coordination with IOM offices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia, and in close partnership with the Angolan government, UNHCR and other local and provincial stakeholders.

Following the 2002 peace agreement, between 2003 and 2012 over 423,000 Angolans voluntarily returned home and were reintegrated under a regional voluntary return programme implemented jointly by the Government of Angola, host countries, IOM and UNHCR.

In July 2013 Angola and the DRC identified another 23,940 former Angolan refugees – out of a total of 71,800 still living in the country – willing to return home. In August 2013, Angola and Zambia identified another 23,795 Angolans in Zambia. It is not yet clear how many are prepared to return.

“Japan has been a generous contributor to IOM’s work in helping former Angolan refugees to return home. This operation also reflects the strong commitment of the Angolan government to close the refugee chapter, achieve their sustainable reintegration and bring them into national development processes,” says IOM Angola Chief of Mission Salvatore Sortino.

“Japan has cooperated with the UN organizations in diverse projects in Angola and contributed to the return exercise in 2013 led by IOM. This year, we decided to continue our collaboration with IOM Angola. The Government of Japan attaches great importance to cooperation with Angola and is convinced that this funding will be used for the effective voluntary return of former Angolan refugees,” said Japan’s Ambassador to Angola Ryozo Myoi.

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Ahmed Hassan Roba, aged 72, spent six years stranded in Puntland, Somalia after unsuccessfully trying to cross the Gulf of Aden to find a job in Saudi Arabia.

“I left my home in Ethiopia and tried to cross the sea, but when my relatives could not help me (financially) to continue my journey, I decided to stay in Garowe (Puntland) and beg outside the mosques and in the streets,” he says.

Ahmed Hassan Roba finally managed to return to Ethiopia last week, as part of a group of 65 vulnerable, stranded Ethiopian migrants who travelled home with IOM assistance.

The operation was closely coordinated with IOM sub-offices in Bosasso, Garowe, Hargeisa and Jijiga, together with humanitarian partners and the governments of Ethiopia, Puntland and Somaliland.

IOM Ethiopia staff met the migrants at the Somaliland border and provided transport to Addis Ababa. In Addis they were given temporary accommodation, food, onward transportation and reintegration cash assistance.

Puntland is experiencing growing numbers of stranded Ethiopians, following Saudi Arabia’s 2013 decision to deport over 150,000 irregular Ethiopian migrants.

Every year thousands of Ethiopian migrants try to cross the Gulf of Aden to reach Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states, mostly in search of work.

According to the multi-agency regional Mixed Migration Task Force, in 2013 over 107,000 irregular migrants made the journey, 85 per cent of them Ethiopians.

The voluntary return operation, part of IOM’s Regional Mixed Migration Programme, was funded by the US State Department’s Bureau of Population, Migration and Refugees (PRM).

NEW YORK, April 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — African Union-United Nations Joint Special Representative (JSR) for Darfur, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, briefed the members of the United Nations Security Council yesterday on what he described as “alarming escalation of violence” in Darfur over the past three months, which has resulted in over 215,000 civilians being displaced.

The JSR explained that there are several factors at play. Of particular concern are the activities in the region of a Government counter-insurgency force known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They have perpetrated attacks on communities, particularly in South Darfur. A number of villages have been looted, destroyed, and their populations displaced with yet unknown scale of casualties.

Mr. Chambas noted that there has also been an increase in attacks by non-signatory movements on villages and against Government forces as well. He highlighted that inter-communal fighting, mainly over access to resources, had increased along with criminal activities; all of which causing an increase in suffering for the civilian populations in Darfur.

The Head of UNAMID expressed his concern about access restrictions enforced by all the parties to the conflict and insecurity continuing to hamper the provision of humanitarian assistance to the affected population.

Mr. Chambas mentioned that the current security situation in Darfur is serious and has the real potential to undermine the ongoing efforts to seek a political settlement of the conflict. “A cessation of hostilities is a first and vital step towards constructive dialogue and I sincerely hope that the modalities of the initiative for an all-inclusive national dialogue by the Government of Sudan will materialize soon and complement our efforts to bring about durable peace, security and development in Darfur,” he said.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, April 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes the formation of the Independent Task Force mandated to review and finalize the media law once and for all.
NUSOJ applauds…

LILONGWE, Malawi, April 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Mr. Tsidi Tsikata, visited Lilongwe and Blantyre from March 18 to April 3, 2014 to conduct discussions for the fifth review under Malawi’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.1 The mission held discussions with Finance Minister Maxwell Mkwezalamba, Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor Charles Chuka, Deputy Finance Minister Cornelius Mwalwanda, Secretary to the Treasury Newby Kumwembe, Attorney General Anthony Kamanga, other senior government and RBM officials, a broad range of national stakeholders outside government, as well as representatives of Malawi’s development partners. The mission expresses its gratitude for the constructive spirit in which all its discussions were held.

At the end of the mission, Mr. Tsikata issued the following statement:

“Since our last visit in November 2013, policy implementation has taken place in a difficult environment with mixed results. Against the backdrop of the suspension of substantial external assistance due to the “cashgate” scandal, fiscal policy has been appropriately restrained and has contributed to stabilizing the exchange rate. However, the resulting expenditure compression has taken a heavy toll on the delivery of public services.

“Overall fiscal conditions will remain tight for the remainder of the fiscal year 2013/14, but strong revenue performance and the release of some external financing will allow some relaxation of the stringent constraints observed over the past two quarters.

“In discussing the fiscal outlook, the mission urged the authorities to be mindful of fiscal risks associated with potential contingent liabilities arising from the operations of state owned enterprises, including the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC), the National Food Reserve Agency NFRA, the Malawi Rural Development Fund (MARDEF) and the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA).

“The authorities have made progress in addressing governance and public financial management (PFM) weaknesses, including through implementing the government’s Action Plan. Going forward, it will be important to adapt the Action Plan into a strategic and comprehensive PFM reform program, including by reflecting the findings and recommendations of the preliminary forensic audit report government received in February 2014.

“The mission welcomes the accumulation of international reserves by the RBM and its plans to further boost the level of reserves during this year’s tobacco season in order to provide the economy with a buffer against exogenous shocks. This will also allow the RBM to effectively intervene in the foreign exchange market to manage excessive volatility in the exchange rate arising from the highly season pattern of private foreign exchange inflows.

“Inflation remains high at nearly 25 percent, with the disinflation process complicated by the expansion of liquidity associated with RBM purchases of foreign exchange. The mission therefore recommends that the RBM tighten monetary policy more aggressively.

“Performance in relation to the targets and benchmarks for the fifth review was mixed. Most of the quantitative targets for end-December 2013 were met, including the target on net international reserves and net domestic borrowing by the government. However, the targets on the net domestic assets of RBM and on reserve money were missed by significant margins. The pace of implementation of structural benchmarks was slower than programmed, but almost all are now near completion.

“The mission and the authorities reached understandings on the broad parameters of the budget for the fiscal year 2014/15. Discussions will continue in the coming weeks to firm up the framework that will be presented to cabinet. Since the budget will be submitted to parliament by the government that will be formed after the May 20 elections, the mission proposes to return to Lilongwe in June to confirm the understanding reached during this mission, before it submits its report to IMF management and the Executive Board. Completion of the review would enable Malawi to receive a disbursement of SDR 13 million (about US$20 million) from the IMF.”

1 The Extended Credit Facility (ECF) has replaced the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) as the Fund’s main tool for medium-term financial support to low-income countries by providing a higher level of access to financing, more concessional terms, enhanced flexibility in program design features, and more focused streamlined conditionality. Financing under the ECF currently carries a zero interest rate, with a grace period of 5½ years, and a final maturity of 10 years. The Fund reviews the level of interest rates for all concessional facilities every two years.

BANGUI, Central African Republic, April 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, headed by Mr. Ekué Kpodar, visited Douala, Cameroon, from March 24 to April 2, 2014 to finalize discussions with the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) authorities on an emergency program that could be supported by the IMF’s Rapid Credit Facility (RCF). The mission held discussions with the C.A.R. Minister of Finance and Budget, Mr. Rémi Yakoro, his delegation, and with representatives of development partners (World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, and France).

At the end of the mission, Mr. Ekué Kpodar issued the following statement:

“The Transitional Authorities of the C.A.R. and the IMF mission reached staff-level agreement on a macro-fiscal framework and a set of economic and structural policies and measures aimed at restoring progressively macroeconomic stability, achieving fiscal consolidation, strengthening the capacity of the C.A.R. government, and coordinating technical assistance. These policies could be supported by the RCF in an amount of SDR 8.355 million, equivalent to CFAF 6 billion. A second RCF could be established in the amount of SDR 5.570 million, equivalent to CFAF 4 billion, bringing the IMF’s total financial assistance for 2014 to SDR 13.925 million, equivalent to approximately CFAF 10 billion, subject to approval by Management and the Executive Board of the IMF. Financial contributions from development partners would be added to the IMF’s assistance to bring total financial support for the C.A.R. to approximately CFAF 84 billion for 2014.

“The political and security crises that the C.A.R. has faced since December 2012 has led to a collapse of economic activity, paralyzed the government, and caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with nearly a quarter of the population displaced. Real gross domestic product (GDP) contracted sharply (approximately 36 percent) in 2013, as all sectors of economic activity experienced downturns. Inflation accelerated to 6.6 percent in 2013, compared with 5.9 percent in 2012, reflecting the decline in food production and supply disruptions throughout the year. Government revenues fell by more than half to 5.7 percent of GDP, while the external current account deficit virtually doubled to 10.4 percent of GDP.

“For 2014, a slight recovery in economic activity is projected with real GDP growing at around 1.5 percent, assuming a normalization of security conditions, the return of displaced persons, and a gradual resumption of economic activity, particularly in the agriculture and commerce sectors. Price pressures are expected to ease gradually and inflation is expected to be around 4.4 percent in 2014, albeit at a level exceeding the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) convergence criterion of 3 percent. The external current account is projected to further deteriorate to reach 14.1 percent of GDP in 2014, reflecting the revival of investment and consumption associated with the resumption of financial support from the C.A.R. technical and financial partners as well as the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) countries.

“In the budget area, the priority is to progressively restore public finances through improved mobilization of tax revenues and more effective control of spending with a view to limiting the domestic primary balance to 7.6 percent of GDP. Accordingly, the Transition Authorities and the mission agreed on measures to resume and strengthen public financial management by restoring revenue mobilization capacity, rationalizing and enhancing the monitoring of cash flow management, cleaning up the database for civil servants and payroll, and resuming swiftly normal expenditure execution procedures.

“Finally, the mission held discussions on the broad lines of a draft budget policy for 2015, against the backdrop of a return to growth at around 5 percent and improved political and security conditions.

“The mission takes this opportunity to thank the C.A.R. authorities for their exemplary cooperation and the candid and constructive discussions that took place. Furthermore, the mission wishes to thank the BEAC authorities for their logistical support.”