Cameron joins the scramble for Africa
Monday, 18th July 2011, 1:50pm
As James has said, David Cameron is in South Africa for the start of a two day trip to Africa to promote free
trade and foster trade links. He projects his vision in an article for South African Business Day:
‘In the past, there were marches in the west to drop the debt. There were concerts to increase aid. And it was right that the world responded.But they have never once had a march or a concert to call for what will in the long term save far more lives and do far more good — an African free trade area. The key to Africa's progress is not just aid. It is time for some fresh thinking.
Consider these facts. An African free trade area could increase GDP across the continent by an estimated $62bn a year. That's $20bn more than the world gives sub-Saharan Africa in aid. Backed by investment in people and infrastructure, sound government and effective tax systems, imagine what this would mean: businesses growing, new jobs on offer, families on the up, living standards transformed.’
To that end, Britain is supporting the Africa Free Trade Initiative to reduce internal tariffs, challenge bureaucratic (shall we say) idiosyncrasy, and improve transport communications, all of which is designed to boost British trade and improve our diplomatic relations in Africa. This fits neatly into the government’s view that international prosperity will promote international security, the meme that guides the massive increase in the aid budget. DfID and the Foreign Office are striving to tackle political corruption in Africa and other impediments to commerce, mainly by ensuring that aid bypasses toxic political organisations and figures. But, it must be stressed, this is a nascent process.
Cameron sounds confident, but the competition is stiff. Chinese investment in Africa is notoriously extensive – estimated at $33 billion between 2002 and 2007 alone. And many other emerging Asian economies are joining the 21st Century scramble for Africa: the IMF projects substantial investment from the Far East in the next decade. It's also worth noting that Taiwan is seeking bi-lateral free trade agreements with individual African states, which may prove more workable than building a free trade block. Equally, Taiwan may be a more attractive proposition than Old World powers like Britian: following the recent rapprochement between Beijing and Taipei, Taiwan is modelling itself as the secret door to access China’s vast and expanding internal markets. Whether it succeeds in that regard remains to be seen.
Also, African countries are trying to entice private sector firms to fund infrastructure projects that were conceived before the global financial crisis struck. Multinationals look ready to bite: groups like Fidelity are now preparing new funds to develop African economies for profit. All in all, UK PLC has its work cut out.
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TomTom
July 18th, 2011 2:01pm Report this commentPerhaps David Cameron will observe the frequent power cuts being experienced by manufacturers in South Africa and reflect on his own energy policy in the UK
Nicholas
July 18th, 2011 2:10pm Report this commentI thought he was supposed to be PM not a PR salesman for Britain plc. Is this the sum total of this idiot's priorities?
bill anderson
July 18th, 2011 2:24pm Report this commentWell, it's not as if there is anything pressing going on in the UK. Everything is just hunky-dory.
And the boy Clegg can handle any issues like Policing the capital as we approach the Olympic Games. Along with Boris.
Nothing wrong with thoughtful delegation of trivial tasks.
Allegedly.
HiFli
July 18th, 2011 2:44pm Report this commentNicholas- part of his jobe as PM is to be a PR salesman for UK plc. If he secures investment and jobs for the UK as a result of this tour I for one will have no complaints.
2trueblue
July 18th, 2011 2:45pm Report this commentThe BBC guy was first up and we know that noting else is going on in the UK apart from the BBC is out to get Cameron. There is no other agenda for the BBC, has not been for some time.
The BBC in Bliars time was the Bliar Broadcasting Corp, it then became Browns.
Why should the public support Liebores mouthpiece? Why should Millipede have his fight fought for him by the BBC? It is something we pay for, and we are talking about a mouthwatering amount of our money. We would not miss it if it disappeared overnight.
Barry Bilge
July 18th, 2011 2:51pm Report this commentDave said: "Consider these facts. An African free trade area..."
It's not a fact if it is an estimate based on an assumption based on guesswork.
What would do more for Africa is free trade *with us* rather than creating a proto-African federal state (and that is the point of all these projects that begin with a 'free trade area'). Dave is speaking for Europe on this - a solid African Union can then deal directly with the European Union rather than have the EU deal with a myriad of different nations. It's not really about trade but about making international bureaucracy easier and less accountable.
Freeer trade *with us* would see the nations of Africa that do sound business prospering without having to bail out the crackpot ones. Our cost of living reduces and their incomes increase.
Verity
July 18th, 2011 4:06pm Report this commentNicholas: "Is this the sum total of this idiot's priorities?"
Yes. It is.
The thing to bear in mind about Cameron is, he is self-centred and "stupid". By "stupid", I mean he does not glitter with intelligence. The public sense this, which is why his party couldn't win the election even after 13 years of Blair and Brown.
His performance since becoming Prime Minister by default has amply justified electorate's reluctance to hand him a mandate.
Remember the most recent comical posed shot? In Luton Airport, or somewhere close to London off the MI. It was Dave's famous ride on a "budget" plane, to illustrate that people who have in excess of £100m are driven to save a few quid, just like the "little people",aka "voters".
Not realising that departure lounges of budget airlines are absolutely heaving, Dave's people arranged for Dave and his plain Jane wife to be THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTURE AREA. They were in "refugee mode". Alone ... stranded ... exhausted from their brave, lonely trek across the tundra, living on bear droppings. She is "sleeping" in the crook of his arm. I guess the chauffeur-driven ride from central London had been pretty harrowing. He bravely shelters her in the crook of his arm, looking, insofar as his jelloid face could form the expression, exhausted but determined. She is sleeping mercifully after their ordeal and before their eminent rescue to freedom.
It was even funnier than the parka and the huskies.
Perry, the Hard Hearted
July 18th, 2011 4:20pm Report this commentDear G*d!
Not only the H2B but trying to ape the Great Economic Pretender also.
Nicholas
July 18th, 2011 5:17pm Report this comment"Nicholas- part of his jobe as PM is to be a PR salesman for UK plc. If he secures investment and jobs for the UK as a result of this tour I for one will have no complaints."
He won't though, will he. And even if he does the additional jobs will probably be filled by immigrants.
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