ALCU of North Dakota Statement on First Amendment violations at Dakota Acess Pipieline Protests (22.08.2016)

DakotaAccessPipeline

Cannon Ball, N.D.The curbing of peaceful protests at the site of the Dakota Access Pipeline construction is in violation of our core principles of free speech.

Jennifer Cook, policy director of the ACLU of North Dakota has released the following statement on the government action regarding ongoing demonstrations at the site of the Dakota Access Pipeline construction in Cannon Ball, ND.

“The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy and the interference with that right by agents of the counties and the state of North Dakota violates both the spirit and letter of the First Amendment.  As the courts in this state have recognized, the First Amendment forbids the enactment of laws ‘abridging the freedom of speech … or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.’  The protest at the Dakota Access pipeline is precisely the type of assembly protected by the First Amendment.  Peaceful protest is at the core of the First Amendment and restrictions to such activity, such as the closing of highways with the effect of preventing assembly or effective messaging of protesters, should be viewed skeptically.  Law enforcement agents have a duty to ensure that the rights of protesters are protected, not just the rights of corporations. While law enforcement officers have a right to ensure the safety of all of our citizens, this goal should be achieved by ensuring that all citizens, including protesters, are protected and that there are enough police in place to prevent violence, but not prevent peaceful protest or assembly.

The ACLU of North Dakota supports peaceful protests and encourages protesters to know their rights.  Anyone who believes their First Amendment rights have been violated should contact us at www.aclund.org/get-help.”

North Carolina: E.Coli Bacteria identified in Water Supply (19.08.2016)

Water PR 19.08.2016

Statement from Robby Mook on Manafort’s resignation (19.08.2016)

Manafort Fox

Clinton Campaign PR 19.08.2016

Claimed payments: 

Manafourt Payment Ukraine

A look into Hillary Clinton’s Tax Returns and the revelation of a questionable LLC

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Trump is usually the main man in the media; he will be a side-note as he doesn’t have the heart and drop his IRS Tax Returns. So this will be about the Tax Returns from Democratic Party Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton. She has a long past, but look into will only be as far back as 2012. Because of the Americans should they care about their candidates and double down on them; the flawed approach of both candidates if for different reasons, but Clinton got though line to walk and prove her place as POTUS. She seems more like running because she wanted this for so long, but lost out a few times before. This is her problem: Instead of sending a message to the communities and constituencies, she seems to be running because she can. Well, this article will not be about the message. Instead about the way to find the important of life: Money, Cash Money. Here we go!

The reality on the ground is that Hillary Clinton the former first lady of Bill Clinton. The 90s President who popular and vivid in office and offensive when earning ballots like “Super-predators” campaigning; well, that hasn’t backfired on Clinton. That must be because of their PR team has been amazing since leaving office. He was doing warfare with a steady force and not like the Presidents after him has not been criticized for blasting Somalia, Sudan, Jugoslavia or anywhere else Bill Clinton used US Army forces under his Presidential Terms.

Well, that isn’t what I will discuss, as the importance of money. This is quick fix to show some ways of actions done by the Presidential Candidate. That proves that the Presidential Candidate of the Democratic Party Hillary Clinton is truly acting as an Limited Liability Company. An LLC is a: “A limited liability company (LLC) is a corporate structure whereby the members of the company cannot be held personally liable for the company’s debts or liabilities. Limited liability companies are essentially hybrid entities that combine the characteristics of a corporation and a partnership or sole proprietorship. While the limited liability feature is similar to that of a corporation, the availability of flow-through taxation to the members of an LLC is a feature of partnerships” (Investopedia). So when a politician needs a corporation of the LLC to entitle their profits prove their viable ways of sophisticated business operation; sort of Panama-Papers on steroids to secure that the profits doesn’t end up in State-Coffers instead in their pockets without paying their tax.

The Clinton’s fueling speaking engagements through a LLC called ZFS Holding. That is just too juicy. Here is my quick look into the Clinton earnings of the last four years. Wonder how the last four years of Trump would be and how the Narnia Corp. also named Trump Organization is run as a viable business. Well, Trump doesn’t have the heart, be a man and drop his dossier because he cannot be scrutinized for his wealth or value; also his economical ties like the Clinton’s get. And the Clinton ties to Delaware LLC are not a grand position, even if it is profitable and legal. Still, not righteous as legislator and possible Executive of the State to run businesses who try to avoid tax. Take a look!

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About the ZFS Holding LLC:

““Records indicate ZFS Holdings was incorporated in early 2013, within weeks of Hillary Clinton’s departure from the State Department. She was prohibited from making paid speeches as secretary of state” (Westwood, 2015). So the well orchestrated company framework shows the value of the speeches and earnings to the political couple as the Political Elite they are. The certainty of engagements and knowledge of the system gave them the ability to do so. What show’s more their plan is where ZFS Holding LLC headquarters “main offices” are as the Guardian reporter portrays: “The receptionist at 1209 North Orange Street isn’t surprised that a journalist has turned up unannounced on a sunny weekday afternoon” (…) “You know I can’t speak to you,” she says. A yellow post-it note on her computer screen reads “MEDIA: Chuck Miller” with the phone number of the company’s director of corporate communications” (…) “This squat, yellow brick office building just north of Wilmington’s rundown downtown is the registered address of more than 285,000 companies. That’s more than any other known address in the world, and 15 times more than the 18,000 registered in Ugland House, a five-storey building in the Cayman Islands that Barack Obama called “either the biggest building in the world, or the biggest tax scam on record” (Neate, 2016).

We can see the seasoned politician as Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party affiliated with the what the President Barrack Obama called “biggest tax scam on record”. Why is this a worry, as the reason for the house and the registration of Bill and Hillary Clinton own Company in the building is proof of how they wanted to make sure that they could be doing Tax Avoidance from getting issues with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). All the speaking engagements and consultations of the couple has gone through the company as per filing of the IRS Tax Returns shows. That proves at what extent they fuel their income and how they uses the ZFS Holding LLC.

Basic numbers from the last four years before the Presidential Election (2012-2015):

In 2012 total income we’re $19.993.299. The Taxation we’re $5.910.304; Taxable income from the Outside of US $5.558.500. Earned on speaking engagements $16.638.152. After tax estimated $13.543.533.

In 2013 total income we’re $23.498.870. The Taxation we’re $9.597.074. Parts of the Income came from Speaking through the ZFS Holding LLC got her $9.680.000 after the taxes she earned $8.683.723. As an author this year she profited $2.752.601.

In 2014 total income we’re $28.336.212. The taxation we’re $9.981.350. The speaking engagements earned Clinton $9.730.000 and after tax she got $8.440.895. Other on the Speaking this year where under her Company ZFS Holding LLC got her $10.492.000. After tax she got $ 8.761.374.

In 2015 total income we’re $10.745.378. The taxation we’re $3.624.455. Parts of the Income came from Speaking through the ZFS Holding LLC got her $1.475.000 after the taxes she earned $1.123.243. Had also earnings on Vanguard 500 Index funds that we’re totaling $84,358; speaking engagements earned her $5.250.000.

If this wasn’t interesting I don’t know. If you wonder why I haven’t discussed the donations to charities as Politicians are specialized in doing to warm the heart and prove their care for society and vulnerable; the Clinton’s have given basically all money through their Clinton Foundation that is hectic in itself and should be look into as the histories of the CF in African Nation and connected to GMO companies are suspect in itself. Therefore I have not really looked into the funds and fueled money there. That is a big other story who deserves more than two quick cents, but a study and check the available sources and leaked documentation from the CF.

So there you have it. This is very brief as there are only the cases of the money and earnings that are big for a life-long politician and the wife of former US President. The former US President are usually able to fund their lavish lifestyle after Presidency through consultation and speeches. So the Clinton’s are not new, but more sophisticated in this regard. The amount of money says what they have earned and shows they are wealthy and part of the Elite in the United States now. Peace.

Reference:

Neate, Rupert – ‘Trump and Clinton share Delaware tax ‘loophole’ address with 285,000 firms’ (25.04.2016) link: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/25/delaware-tax-loophole-1209-north-orange-trump-clinton

Westwood, Sarah – ‘Hillary calls for financial accountability come with her own complicated money trail’ (15.08.2015) link: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/hillary-calls-for-financial-accountability-come-with-her-own-complicated-money-trail/article/2569575

Read more: Limited Liability Company (LLC) Definition | Investopedia http://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/llc.asp#ixzz4Hd5UJ6aQ

Press Release: Forgotten People – “Where is the Money?” (08.08.2016)

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Siste Stortingsmelding viser salg av forsvarsmateriell til regimer den Norske stat ikke vil direkte assosieres med!

Våpen Norge

“Det er riktig at Norge ikke deltok i selve invasjonen. Bondevik skal ha takk for at han klarte, med god hjelp fra fredsbevegelsen og den norske kirken, å stå i mot presset fra Høyre om å slutte seg til USAs og Storbritannias angrep. Men den ubehagelige sannheten er likevel at norske våpen, norske soldater, norske politikere og norsk næringsliv både direkte og indirekte støttet Irak-krigen” (Borgen, 2016).

Igjen skriver jeg om hva freds-nasjonen Norge bedriver. Vi snakker fred og selger ammunisjon. Vi selger våpen og høyt teknisk utstyr, selv med strenge lover og reguleringer blir likevel militært forsvarmateriell til land som bryter med menneskerettigheter og de verdier som Norge står for. Dette skjer selv om forsvarlige salget skjer til våres allierte i NATO og OECD. Disse kjøper største-delen av materiellet og våpnene. Resterende ender til land som kan stilles spørsmål til. Denne informasjon kom ut og gitt til Stortinget fra Utenriksdepartementet den 10 Juni 2016. Så dette er ikke gammelt nytt, men bør sperre øynene ettersom dette er noe vi gjør for å gjøre verden mindre fredelig.

Totale våpen-eksporten:

“Den samlede verdien av eksporten i 2015 var i underkant av 4,2 milliarder kroner, hvorav drøyt 3 milliarder utgjorde salg av militære varer. Av dette utgjorde eksporten av A-materiell om lag 2,8 milliarder og B-materiell ca. 300 millioner kroner. Eksporten av A-materiell økte med 21 % og eksporten av B-materiell falt med 53 % i 2015” (…) “Den samlede verdien av eksporten i 2014 var ca. 3,6 milliarder, og i 2013 beløp den seg til i underkant av 4,3 milliarder kroner. I forhold til i 2014, økte verdien av den totale eksporten med 15 % i 2015. Eksporten av A- og B-materiell økte med til sammen 4 %” (Meld.St. 36, S: 8, 2016).

Ammo

Norge solgte våpen og forsvarmateriell til Forente Arabisk Emirater både ‘elektronisk utstyr’ totalt: 2287 tonn, ‘billed/videoutstyr’ totalt: 508 tonn. også ‘Ammunisjon tilhørende deler og komponenter samt tilhørende deler og komponenter’ totale 23475 tonn .

I det samme året solgte vi fra Norge til Malaysia både våpen og forsvarmateriell. ‘Glattboret våpen med kaliber 20 mm eller mindre, våpen med kaliber 12,7 mm og lavere samt tilhørende komponenter’ 5280 tonn og ‘Ildledningsutstyr og tilhørende systemer og komponenter’ 58 tonn.

Et annet land som ble solgt til var Oman og dette var ‘Bomber, torpedoer, raketter, missiler og eksplosiver samt tilhørende komponenter’ 10015 tonn.

Det var militære-oppdrag gjort i Norge for oppdrags-land ved å reparere våpen og forsvarmateriell. Det ble reparert materiell fra land som Forente Arabiske Emirater, Jordan, Malaysia og Sør Korea. Det ble levert levert kommunikasjonmateriell for militært bruk til Algerie, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia og Thailand.

Disse landene fikk etterforsyning av forsvarmateriell i år fra Norge: Afganistan, Belize, Israel, Irak, Kuwait, Mali og Sør Sudan.

Kuler Norsk

Noe som er spesielt i rapporten og stusser over at Libya står i tabell 9.2. i Stortingsmeldingen, men har intet direkte eksport til, så hvorfor lagt inn ett mottakerland av forsvarmateriell, men ingen offisielle tall. Dette virker suspekt, resterende land har fått materiell i løpet av tidsperioden 2012 til 2015.

Disse tallene og nasjonene som blir solgt til viser til hvordan ståa er med ‘freds-nasjonen’ Norge. Allerede 1. Mars 2013 skrev jeg en blogg om våpen-regulering og salg. Der man skulle forandre lovene for å gjøre det vanskeligere å videreselge til visse former for problematiske nasjoner og land der en bryter med internasjonale lover og regler; slik som menneskerettigheter og konvensjoner for ‘rettferdig krig’. Dette gjør at lovteksten og skjønnet blir plausibelt. Noen nyanser jeg kritiserte i 2013 og likeså kan idag. Ettersom å selge våpen til Libya, Sør Sudan, Mali, Irak, Belize og Afganistan burde sees på som tvilsomme salg ettersom konflikt og brudd burde eksistere. Dette er noe en freds-nasjon ikke skulle støtte. Selv om Norsk tropper har tidligere vært til stede eller gjort oppdrag som en del Nato i flere nasjoner, der man stille spørsmål om deres oppdrag var rett eller feil. Kan en likevel still spørsmål til fortsettelsen av å selge våpen og forsvarmateriell til konfliktområder ettersom da profitten i Norge er viktigere enn menneskeliv. Peace.

Referense:

Borgen, Erling – ‘Det norske hykleriet om Irak-krigen’ (08.06.2016) link: http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/det-norske-hykleriet-om-irak-krigen/60312259

Stortinget – Meld. St.36 (2015-2016) ‘Eksport av forsvarsmateriell fra Norge i 2015, eksportkontroll og internasjonalt ikke-spredningssamarbeid’ (10.06.2016)

Lot’s on 1950s Bilderberg Conferences that we’re on European Integration, EEC and other issues discussed within the conferences!

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As there been a leak of documents that are addressing the Bilderberg conferences that have been silenced and been a not well-known public affair between the European Government and also the World Affairs, as they have been set invited to discuss the affairs and deal with the present takes of issues.

Like on the Bliderberg Conference of 1954 that we’re on the 29th – 31st May. When the Chairman for the Conference we’re Prince of the Netherlands Prince Bernhard and his Vice-Chairmen we’re John S. Coleman and Paul Van Zeeland. While the same Conference had rapporteurs on the subjects that we’re discussed, these men we’re from USA, Belgium, Netherlands, France and Italy, but half we’re from the United States. Of attenders there we’re from all across Europe, like from Norway came Leif Høegh; UK had a dozen attendees, but the one standout we’re Sir Harry Pilkington; From Germany Rudolf Mueller, Penagiottis Pipenelis from Greece for instance. This proves the importance of the conference as the nations didn’t send some random citizens.

They held the conference in hope for the American that the European Countries could through the NATO partnership have the military arm inside the European Defense Community, while German and French didn’t have faith in or could be part of the EDC. While the unity within unions like Steel and Coal we’re possible, as the sacrifices we’re not feasible, even if the American wished for something more than a European answer, but a Atlantic Pact, that we’re combining the European and American, not only trade, but also Defense. There we’re a general agreement between Europeans at the conference to work against the Soviet propaganda and advantages from the Communists.

One key pieces from the 1954: “The difference between America and Europe with respect to the problem of overseas territories emerged from the discussion as minor by comparison with the areas of agreement. The obvious objective to be sought is an agreed policy of the West to work towards colonial self~government as rapidly and safely as is possible. Such a solution serves the interests of the West and of the dependent peoples. It thwarts the imperialistic interests of Communism”. Second piece: “It was recognised that this conflict sprang largely from the differences in the emotional reactions to the Korean war in America and Europe – differences which it was thought had recently diminished. It was hoped that the negotiations at present taking place on the list of controlled exports would do much to eliminate them”. Third piece: European unity in some form has long been a Utopian dream, but the conference was agreed that it is now a necessity of our times. Only thus can the free nations of Europe achieve a moral and material strength capable of meeting any threat to their freedom”.

The next conference we’re on the 18th– 20th February 1955 at Barbizon Conference. The Chairman of the Conference we’re H.R.H the Prince of Netherlands. Honorary Secretary we’re J.H. Reitinger and American Secretary Joseph E. Johnson. Interesting people’s attending we’re Sir. Colin Gubbins of United Kingdom, H.J. Heinz of United States and Alberto Pirelli of Italy.

Sir John Kotelawala
Sir John Kotelawala

This was the second conference and here is the key issues and quotes from the report: “We had created the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to oppose Stalinism all Its aspects, but today that Organisation had a very difficult task. Set on foot to meet the possibility of an attaque brusquee it now found itself facing the long struggle of the cold war, perhaps to be prolonged through many decades to come” (…) “Anti-Colonialism: “A European speaker discussed the important psychological aspect of the uncommitted peoples of Asia and Africa, and a number of Latin Americans. He had been very much struck during the last General Assembly of the United Nations by the fact that so much jealousy and resentment was pent up beneath the mostly polished exteriors of representatives of these countries. This was particularly so with the Asians and to a lesser degree there was something of the kind at work in the minds of quite a few South Americans” (…) “There were Asians who, being ardent nationalists and in many cases instrumental in forging the independence of their countries, nevertheless understood the West and all it had to offer to Asia and Africa well enough to interpret it. Names of men like General Romulo sprang to mind, or Sir John Kotelawala” (…) “There was a dangerous tendency on the part of United Nations commissions, after short visits to territories under European tutelage, to recommend periods after which independence should be given. There had been continuous attacks on the Belgian position in Ruanda-Urundi, in East Africa. In this case the Commission had recommended a course which might transform the territory directly from feudalism to “peoples’ democracy”. It must be remembered that the more the Western powers were weakened in Africa the more would their political, economic and even moral powers of resistance to communism be weakened” (…) “The United Nations had entered into the discussion by way of the problem of colonialism. But in terms of the broad relationships between the West and the East the United Nations was an instrument of the greatest importance. It had been said that international law was a generalisation of British foreign policy of the nineteenth century. Whether that was true or not, there was written into the preamble and articles 1 and 2 of the Charter a set of propositions about international order which were entirely congenial to the foreign policies of all who sat there in the room and these had been agreed by sixty governments, including the uncommitted peoples whom we were discussing” (…) “One of Europe’s greatest responsibilities today was to find new formulae for getting over nationalism and in that the speaker agreed with the views of a participant who had suggested that some sort of federation might be the solution. We must find some form, whether it was of federation or of any other juridical term which one might give it, which would be a European-invented by-pass for European-created nationalism”.

The next conference we’re in Garmish-Partenkichen conference at the date 23rd – 25th September 1955. When the same leaders as earlier in the year at the Barbizon Conference as this was a continues effort on the common work. The key things to take from this one we’re this: “The discussion on this subject revealed general support for the idea of European Integration and unification among the participation from the six countries of the European Coal and Steel Community, and a recognition of the urgency of the problem” (…) “The six countries of the Coal and Steel Community had definitely decided to establish a common market and that the experts were now working this out was felt to be a most encouraging step forward and it was hoped that other countries would subsequently join in”.

Nasser Blockade

In 2 Years the next conference happened on St. Simon Island on the 15th – 17th February 1957. Where most of the usual suspects showed up again, when even a Turkish representative Muharrem Nuri Birgi; Jean De La Garde, French and David Rockefeller, United States. The discussion of this conference led to this: “Several speakers urged that patience was essential in the present Suez crisis. Situations like that which developed in Iran in 1951 and was now being repeated in Egypt could not be dealt with in a hurry. A dictator who is impervious to external influences must be allowed to run through his cycle. For a period his personal pride and the demands of his position will render him insusceptible to advice or pressure. The point at which this cycle begins to turn is very delicate and needs careful watching, since a dictator like Nasser might well take desperate measures” (…) “According to the best available estimates, the expansion of oil sales in the years ahead would bring greatly increasing revenues, in fact within the next ten years the oil-producing countries of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrein should receive 5 billion dollars in oil royalties; yet it was calculated that. over this period they would not be able to spend more than a third of this amount inside their own frontiers. This would leave a surplus of about billion dollars to dispose of” (…) “It might be possible and desirable to change NATO’s present strategic!’ posture and to develop a military organization and doctrine which would free Europe from total . dependence on the threat of massive atomic retaliation. But until or unless this was done the contradictions of our present policy were damaging and dangerous. Because the peoples of NATO did not believe in the possibility of an effective shield against attack, they were reluctant to make the sacrifices required to provide for the forward advance strategy was official doctrine at present”.

The Second conference that year was in Fiuggi, we’re still the usual suspects we’re in control of it and the men behind it. Special names registered at this one we’re Henry A. Kissinger we’re a U.S. Representative and Major-General James Jr. McCormack a U.S. Representative. Key issues and quotes from the Fiuggi we’re this: “Participants from the countries directly involved, however, felt that these fears would prove to be unfounded. The Common Market would be implemented by easy stages and, if the experience of Benelux was any guide, trade With the outside world would increase together with internal trade. They were confident that the Common Market would be a step towards greater freedom in world trade as a whole. This was the purpose of the plan, although in some cases adjustments had had to be made so that particular interests would not be too drastically affected. Now that the internal pattern had been settled in the Common Market Treaty attention would concentrate increasingly on relations with third countries; the Free Trade Area would be the next step in the process of European economic integration” (…) “the main obstacle to British and Scandinavian participation in the Common Market was its function a step towards political union among the countries concerned” (…) “there was also the problem of including agriculture, which for countries like Denmark was of fundamental importance”.

130624-004-0BDAC008

At the 1958 Buxton Conference on the 13th September to 15th September 1958; which was run by the usual suspects yet again. Other representatives worth noticing from this ones we’re E.N. Van Kleefens from the European Coal and Steel Community, Jaques Rueff, European Economic Community (EEC), C.V.R. Schuyler, S.H.A.P.E., Sakari Tuomioja, UN Economic Commission for Europe and Sir. Gordon Archibald of the United Kingdom; other key quotes from this conference are these: “Nationalism could well yield positive results, as was the case in Turkey under Ataturk. It was objectionable, however, when it reached beyond its own borders hurting the interests of others. In such cases we had the right to protect ourselves, and should be firm about it” (…) “The Common Market was due to come into operation on a January 1959, and it was feared that, if no solution were in sight by then, the first appearance of discrimination would produce a schism between the Six and the rest of Europe” (…) “Further the speaker suggested that the Free Trade Area proposals were not the only alternative to the European Economic Community. The notion of association had a technical meaning, and various degrees of rights and obligations were conceivable and could be worked out between the European Economic Community and individual countries on a bilateral basis” (…) “Another major problem facing the European Economic Community was the co-ordination of monetary policies. As one of the participants pointed out, the economic integration of the Six required the co-ordination of all fields of economic policy”.

So there you have it and this is just outtakes, the Soviet problem is a key picture on every single conference, but that isn’t that important now. As the proof of the cold-war and the escalated influence U.S. policy had in Europe. That with their will of a more unified Europe; this being more valid for me, as the proof of the works behind the scenes from the Bliderberg group and their supporters from both United States and Canada; as they even wanted a federal solution to issues between the nation and their integration of monetary and trade-agreements on the continent.

Also the worrying views of Europeans wish to hold-on to their colonies and the liberation of the nations under British and French rule. While the Americans actually wanted a quicker liberation, while they had the worry of Soviet and Communist influence in the new “territories”; the leaked documents really reflect the dominance and arrogance of the Europeans at the time as their paternalistic threshold came under question. Another key we’re  the usefulness of NATO and the place of military operations as a countering for peace in Europe, as the fear of Soviet was a reason for the alliance after the Second World War.

Next time I drop on the subject, I will go through the 1960s documents of Bilderberg conferences. To see what else that came up in the next decade. Peace.

Press Release: World Bank Group Suspends Financing to the Inga-3 Basse Chute Technical Assistance Project (25.07.2016)

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WASHINGTON, July 25, 2016 — The World Bank Group has suspended disbursements of funding to the Inga-3 Basse Chute (BC) & Mid-Size Hydropower Development Technical Assistance (TA) Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This follows the Government of DRC’s decision to take the project in a different strategic direction to that agreed between the World Bank and the Government in 2014.

On March 20, 2014 the World Bank’s Board approved a US$73.1-million grant from its International Development Association (IDA) for the project, consisting of Inga-3 BC development support (US$47.5 million) and mid-size hydropower development support (US$25.6 million). At the time of suspension, approximately 6% of total project financing had been disbursed.

The Inga component of the TA project aimed to finance a flexible suite of technical assistance, including strategic advice to the Government, complementary studies, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. The IDA TA project aimed to support a government-led process for the transparent development of Inga-3 BC as a public private partnership. The World Bank Group is in a continuing dialogue with the Government about the implementation arrangements of the project, with the goal of ensuring that it follows international good practice.

The World Bank Group remains committed to supporting the DRC in its efforts to provide affordable and reliable energy for its people and to drive sustainable sources of growth for its economy. Beyond the Inga project, the Bank Group will remain engaged in the electricity sector in DRC by focusing on improving the performance of the State Utility SNEL, rehabilitating mid-size hydropower plants, increasing energy access, and continuing support to regional transmission interconnections.

Press Release: EY states that African Economies are staying the Course, Despite a Relative Economic Slow Down (25.07.2016)

Southern Africa loses its clear lead_East Africa and West Africa level playing field

US remains the leading investor into Africa.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 25, 2016/APO/ —

  • Africa one of the only two regions in the world achieving growth in FDI project numbers over 2015
  • Seven percent rise in FDI projects for Africa
  • East Africa the biggest gainer, while other key economies recover ground
  • US remains the leading investor into Africa

According to EY’s (EY.com) 2016 Africa attractiveness program 2016, Staying the course, despite a relative slow down, Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the fastest growing regions in the world. This is reflected in the foreign direct investment (FDI) levels in 2015, where FDI project numbers increased by seven percent. Although, the capital value of projects was down year-on-year — from US$88.5b in 2014 to US$71.3b in 2015 — this was still higher than the 2010–2014 average of US$68b. Similarly, jobs created were down year-on-year, but, again ahead of the average for 2010–2014.

Ajen Sita, Africa Chief Executive Officer at EY, comments, “Over the past year, global markets have experienced unprecedented volatility. We’ve witnessed the collapse of commodity prices and a number of currencies across Africa, and with reference to the two largest markets, starting with South Africa, we saw GDP growth decline sharply to below one percent and the country averting a credit ratings downgrade; in Nigeria, the slowdown in that economy was impacted further by the decline in the oil price and currency devaluation pressure.”

Sita adds, “The reality is that economic growth across the region is likely to remain slower in coming years than it has been over the past 10 to 15 years, and the main reasons for a relative slowdown are not unique to Africa. In fact, Africa was one of the only two regions in the world in which there was growth in FDI project levels over the past year.”

East Africa closes the FDI gap, with Kenya a big gainer

In 2015, East Africa recorded its highest share of FDI across Africa, achieving 26.3% of total projects. Southern Africa remained the largest investment region on the continent, although projects were down 11.6% from 2014 levels. The West Africa region saw a rebound in FDI projects by 16.2%, and interestingly in 2015, the region became the leading recipient of capital investment on the continent, outpacing Southern Africa.

North Africa experienced 8.5% year-on-year growth in FDI projects. Furthermore, while projects are increasing in North Africa, they are increasing at a much faster rate in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Michael Lalor, EY’s Africa Business Center Leader, adds, “In a context of heightened concerns about economic and political risk across the continent, FDI flows remain robust, and in line with levels we have seen over the past five years. A key factor here is the structural shift in FDI — from a high concentration of source countries and destination markets and sectors, to a far more diverse FDI landscape. As a result, risks and opportunities are being spread much wider, and there is no longer an overdependence on a limited group of investors or sectors to drive FDI performance.”

Historical investors gain strength, new investors emerge

The US retained its position in 2015, as the largest investor in the continent, with 96 investment projects valued at US$6.9b. During 2015, traditional investors such as the UK and France, as well as the UAE and India, also showed renewed interest in Africa.

Investors diversify focus across sectors

Over the past decade, there has been a shift in sector focus in FDI from extractive to consumer-facing industries. Mining and metals, coal, oil and natural gas, which were previously the key sectors attracting major FDI flows, have given way to consumer products and retail (CPR), financial services and technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), accounting for 44.7% of FDI projects in 2015. In 2015, further evidence of sector diversification came through, with business services, automotive, cleantech and life sciences all rising in significance and becoming the likely “next wave” for investors.

Striking a balance between growth, profitability and managing risk

Sita concludes, “Given the growth potential in and relative underdevelopment of many African markets, the primary focus for many companies over the past few years has been on entering new markets, capturing market share and driving revenue growth. A combination of factors — including tightening economic conditions, increasingly well-informed consumers and citizens, intensifying competition, a heightened sense of global geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting priorities from global or regional HQ — is now driving a change in focus toward striking a greater balance between growth, profitability and risk management.”

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