I saw firsthand today how the garbage problem is undermining Senegal’s economic prosperity. Piles of garbage have been thrown over the ridge above the Technopol development area, which is also a very beautiful wetland preserve of hundreds of acres, also the site of the new but sorely undeveloped Dakar golf course…
I left the President Meridian this morning after a brief but fascinating talk with Heinz about nuclear power—just recently pushed by both America’s and Senegal’s presidents—as a solution to global warming, with the probably insurmountable concerns which would have to be addressed by global cooperation: safe operation, political questions of stability and terrorism threat, fuel for arms, nuclear waste management, etc… I left the President to begin our travels through the Senegalese hinterlands—to Touba and land beyond uncharted. I will miss the cosmopolitan excitement there. But before heading out tomorrow, we saw the city water treatment facility near the Technopol site, surrounded by lush plant nurseries. Then we drove above the palm trees and wetlands to see children playing in garbage covering, almost entirely, the ridges around the site. We saw further health concerns at the nearby street food market where reeking garbage piles sit uncollected next to the food vendors. Tomorrow we will stop at the country’s one landfill which, as I understand, is surrounded by choleric vegetable gardens… M. Libasse dreams of cleaning up the hillside around Technopol and using the treated water to finish the golf grass. Something has to start somewhere…
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
A busy day of business
Monday, April 14, 2008
Started with coffee in the shop downstairs at the President. Had the luck to be invited to sit with Heinz Leuenberger, director of the environmental management branch of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, based now in Vienna. We had, for me, a very fascinating discussion of international developments, from the changes in Vienna since the opening of East Europe (and the amazing speed with which it has reassumed its role as a cultural capital—Hapsburgs redux), to the looming clash between Russia and China over Eastern Russia, where energy resources, space and cultural affinities may be too great for China to resist. Heinz is here for the big renewable energy conference being held at the hotel all this week…
Mustafa, our driver, was there to take me just as I finished coffee. I made the mistake of leaving my jacket which made Mamemor very unhappy with me, because we were going to meet bankers with some other prospective Senegalese associates. Specifically we met with the charming Oumy Bar Diouf, a “chef d’agence” of Ecobank. The bank, active throughout West Africa, is very interested in expanding its portfolio in the works that we are planning. I believe that I effectively conveyed the applicable principles of non-recourse project financing and available American guarantees. I think she was jazzed. We discussed their loan approval process and possible strategic alliance; I promised to get back to speak with her after doing my informal field analysis and before returning home… We then visited the factory of our associate Mr. Ndiaye, near the oil refinery. I was somewhat disturbed by the lack of worker safety assurance. Mamemor and I later talked at length about how to assure improvements in that aspect for our projects…
Afterwards we met with M. Libasse Niang at his bureau to prepare for our meeting with the minister of agricultural development downtown. The government has an aggressive policy to expand agriculture, recognizing the opportunity to relieve urban overcrowding and promote the economy and welfare of the people at the same time. The downtown this afternoon was busy and active, but we had to cool our heels for a good couple hours before the minister and two of his staff could see us. The minister himself had to beg off early for a meeting with an important Saudi… We all agreed that in the end the meeting was productive; the staff people promising full support for the Cap International project. But it took them a while to understand that this was a private project (which they say they never see) which would ultimately get private, albeit guaranteed, financing—not a handout, not a “gift” from the Saudis or any others, rather a plan to put agriculture in place. Fortunately we had the redoubtable M. Libasse to convey our plans. I have seen many a smooth lobbyist in my day—they are born not made: an engineering contractor by training, M. Libasse is a born lobbyist…
After dropping everybody back at M. Libasse’s bureau, Mamemor and I headed back toward the hotel. We stopped on the way to the restaurant we had been to on Saturday for breakfast; they wouldn’t let Mamemor bring in his own bottled water, so he insisting on leaving. On the way out there were soldiers along the road by the car and the road, usually crowded, was suddenly deserted. Mamemor called it: “the President is probably coming.” And indeed he did with motorcycle cops, sirens, SUVs and limos screaming by. Maybe going to the airport I said. Maybe the President was going to the President hotel, said Mamemor and again he called it exactly. By the time we got to the hotel they were all there, with the presidential guard. I got myself in a picture with one of them—very good uniforms. President Wade ducked out very shortly before we could see him, but Mamemor spotted Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, the minister of foreign affairs (our Secretary of State). He is very important—Mamemor and I had just been speaking on the way to the hotel of the Senegalese government’s growing importance on the world stage, as not just the broker of West African development (witness the assumption of the trial of the ex-Congo president), but even in matters as paramount as Iranian-American relations (vis President Wade’s meeting with Ahmadinejad this weekend. That said, Dr. Gadio was very accessible and friendly; he had studied in America and spoke English fluently, and as clear evidence of his civility—he let me have a picture with him. Afterwards with Mamemor, I found the restaurant down by the waterfront that I didn’t know about—incredible setting, pricey but worth-it buffet. In the elevator up to the room, I saw Heinz again; he says the President and Senegalese top officials will be speaking at the conference this week… All-in-all a fantastic day and productive day…
Started with coffee in the shop downstairs at the President. Had the luck to be invited to sit with Heinz Leuenberger, director of the environmental management branch of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, based now in Vienna. We had, for me, a very fascinating discussion of international developments, from the changes in Vienna since the opening of East Europe (and the amazing speed with which it has reassumed its role as a cultural capital—Hapsburgs redux), to the looming clash between Russia and China over Eastern Russia, where energy resources, space and cultural affinities may be too great for China to resist. Heinz is here for the big renewable energy conference being held at the hotel all this week…
Mustafa, our driver, was there to take me just as I finished coffee. I made the mistake of leaving my jacket which made Mamemor very unhappy with me, because we were going to meet bankers with some other prospective Senegalese associates. Specifically we met with the charming Oumy Bar Diouf, a “chef d’agence” of Ecobank. The bank, active throughout West Africa, is very interested in expanding its portfolio in the works that we are planning. I believe that I effectively conveyed the applicable principles of non-recourse project financing and available American guarantees. I think she was jazzed. We discussed their loan approval process and possible strategic alliance; I promised to get back to speak with her after doing my informal field analysis and before returning home… We then visited the factory of our associate Mr. Ndiaye, near the oil refinery. I was somewhat disturbed by the lack of worker safety assurance. Mamemor and I later talked at length about how to assure improvements in that aspect for our projects…
Afterwards we met with M. Libasse Niang at his bureau to prepare for our meeting with the minister of agricultural development downtown. The government has an aggressive policy to expand agriculture, recognizing the opportunity to relieve urban overcrowding and promote the economy and welfare of the people at the same time. The downtown this afternoon was busy and active, but we had to cool our heels for a good couple hours before the minister and two of his staff could see us. The minister himself had to beg off early for a meeting with an important Saudi… We all agreed that in the end the meeting was productive; the staff people promising full support for the Cap International project. But it took them a while to understand that this was a private project (which they say they never see) which would ultimately get private, albeit guaranteed, financing—not a handout, not a “gift” from the Saudis or any others, rather a plan to put agriculture in place. Fortunately we had the redoubtable M. Libasse to convey our plans. I have seen many a smooth lobbyist in my day—they are born not made: an engineering contractor by training, M. Libasse is a born lobbyist…
After dropping everybody back at M. Libasse’s bureau, Mamemor and I headed back toward the hotel. We stopped on the way to the restaurant we had been to on Saturday for breakfast; they wouldn’t let Mamemor bring in his own bottled water, so he insisting on leaving. On the way out there were soldiers along the road by the car and the road, usually crowded, was suddenly deserted. Mamemor called it: “the President is probably coming.” And indeed he did with motorcycle cops, sirens, SUVs and limos screaming by. Maybe going to the airport I said. Maybe the President was going to the President hotel, said Mamemor and again he called it exactly. By the time we got to the hotel they were all there, with the presidential guard. I got myself in a picture with one of them—very good uniforms. President Wade ducked out very shortly before we could see him, but Mamemor spotted Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, the minister of foreign affairs (our Secretary of State). He is very important—Mamemor and I had just been speaking on the way to the hotel of the Senegalese government’s growing importance on the world stage, as not just the broker of West African development (witness the assumption of the trial of the ex-Congo president), but even in matters as paramount as Iranian-American relations (vis President Wade’s meeting with Ahmadinejad this weekend. That said, Dr. Gadio was very accessible and friendly; he had studied in America and spoke English fluently, and as clear evidence of his civility—he let me have a picture with him. Afterwards with Mamemor, I found the restaurant down by the waterfront that I didn’t know about—incredible setting, pricey but worth-it buffet. In the elevator up to the room, I saw Heinz again; he says the President and Senegalese top officials will be speaking at the conference this week… All-in-all a fantastic day and productive day…
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Australians see pot of gold
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA -- 04/13/08 -- Mineral Deposits Limited (TSX: MDM)(ASX: MDL) is pleased to announce that it has executed documentation and commenced drawdown of the first component of a debt financing package for the further construction and development of the Sabodala Gold Project ("Sabodala") located in the Republic of Senegal, west Africa. The US$35 million Revolving Working Capital Facility has been provided by RMB Australia Holdings Limited and Macquarie Bank Limited.
Sabodala is situated some 650 kilometres east of the capital Dakar and within the Birimian belt and about 90 kilometres from major gold discoveries in Mali. MDL and the Government of the Republic of Senegal ("GRS") have established an operating company to complete the project and then mine the deposit under the terms of the Mining Convention between them. MDL has a 90% holding and GRS a 10% free-carried interest in the new company (Sabodala Gold Operations SA).
The project has proven and probable reserves totalling 1.4 million tonnes of gold within a global gold resource of 2.74 million ounces. Sabodala is now 45% complete and remains on schedule to commission the two million tonne treatment plant in late September 2008. The company anticipates an initial gold pour in late October 2008.
Sabodala is situated some 650 kilometres east of the capital Dakar and within the Birimian belt and about 90 kilometres from major gold discoveries in Mali. MDL and the Government of the Republic of Senegal ("GRS") have established an operating company to complete the project and then mine the deposit under the terms of the Mining Convention between them. MDL has a 90% holding and GRS a 10% free-carried interest in the new company (Sabodala Gold Operations SA).
The project has proven and probable reserves totalling 1.4 million tonnes of gold within a global gold resource of 2.74 million ounces. Sabodala is now 45% complete and remains on schedule to commission the two million tonne treatment plant in late September 2008. The company anticipates an initial gold pour in late October 2008.
President Wade on Senegal-India trade
Some important excerpts from the speech of President Wade in India, April 8, 2008
"It is much significant to note that trade between India and West Africa have tripled in the 2002-2007 period. That makes India the first partner of Senegal in our exports."
"The bilateral cooperation between India and Senegal is certainly among others an example of what we can achieve based on our complementarities. The Senegalese – Indian partnership covers in fact areas as various as agriculture with our national program of self sufficiency in rice, chemical industries from Senegal’s phosphates, vehicle assembly and the exploitation of iron ore."
"Furthermore the Export Import Bank of India just opened a 2nd office in Dakar after the one in Johannesburg. An institutional frame work like TEAM 9 and its credit line also shows through its concrete achievements the innovating South-south cooperation model India and Africa can develop durably by creating a "value added" compared to classical forms of cooperation."
"It is much significant to note that trade between India and West Africa have tripled in the 2002-2007 period. That makes India the first partner of Senegal in our exports."
"The bilateral cooperation between India and Senegal is certainly among others an example of what we can achieve based on our complementarities. The Senegalese – Indian partnership covers in fact areas as various as agriculture with our national program of self sufficiency in rice, chemical industries from Senegal’s phosphates, vehicle assembly and the exploitation of iron ore."
"Furthermore the Export Import Bank of India just opened a 2nd office in Dakar after the one in Johannesburg. An institutional frame work like TEAM 9 and its credit line also shows through its concrete achievements the innovating South-south cooperation model India and Africa can develop durably by creating a "value added" compared to classical forms of cooperation."
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Senegal's president Wade, head of OIC, meets Ahmadinejad
ISNA - Tehran Service: Foreign Policy
TEHRAN, April. 11 (ISNA) - In his meeting with Senegal's president, presently the head of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), in Mashhad, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the only solution to the Palestine crisis was respecting its people's opinion.
Ahmadinejad called Israeli acts in Palestine the greatest violation of human rights, saying, "The Palestine issue is a criterion for the nations and governments' loyalty to democracy, human rights and freedom."
Regarding the positive and constructive relations between Iran and Senegal, Ahmadinejad said that Iran would recognize no limitation for conveying its valuable experience to the countries having friendly ties with Iran.
Expressing his gratitude for Iran's support for Islamic nations, Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade said after being elected for the presidency of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), he had regarded Iran as his first choice for consultation.
TEHRAN, April. 11 (ISNA) - In his meeting with Senegal's president, presently the head of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), in Mashhad, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the only solution to the Palestine crisis was respecting its people's opinion.
Ahmadinejad called Israeli acts in Palestine the greatest violation of human rights, saying, "The Palestine issue is a criterion for the nations and governments' loyalty to democracy, human rights and freedom."
Regarding the positive and constructive relations between Iran and Senegal, Ahmadinejad said that Iran would recognize no limitation for conveying its valuable experience to the countries having friendly ties with Iran.
Expressing his gratitude for Iran's support for Islamic nations, Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade said after being elected for the presidency of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), he had regarded Iran as his first choice for consultation.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Senegal growth to grow
April 10 (Bloomberg) -- Senegal's economy will probably expand an average of more than 5.5 percent over the ``medium term'' as investment increases and exports of chemicals, such as phosphates, recover, the International Monetary Fund said.
Growth will likely accelerate from an estimated 4.8 percent in 2007, the Washington-based lender said in a statement on its Web site yesterday. The government needs to ``anticipate and limit'' the impact on the economy of a slowdown in global economic growth, the IMF also said.
Growth will likely accelerate from an estimated 4.8 percent in 2007, the Washington-based lender said in a statement on its Web site yesterday. The government needs to ``anticipate and limit'' the impact on the economy of a slowdown in global economic growth, the IMF also said.
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