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A REPORT BY THE ECONOMIST
INTELLIGENCE UNIT
Q2 Global Forecast:
What next for vaccine
diplomacy?
ÉDITION 340
ÉDITION 151 –– VENDREDI
VENDREDI30
23AVRIL 2021
JUIN 2017 L’HEBDOMADAIRE DIGITAL GRATUIT
L’ HEBDOMADAIRE ÉLECTRONIQUE GRATUIT
Launch of the Continental
Survey Report:
Impact of COVID-19
on African Trade Finance
In the first survey of its kind, Afreximbank, the African Development Bank and its Making Finance Work for
Africa partnership and the UN Economic Commission for Africa conducted the first continent-wide Trade
Finance Survey, to assess the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on trade finance activities of
commercial banks in Africa. Portfolio outflows from emerging market economies amounted to over US$100
billion in the first quarter of 2020. Capital outflows from Africa exceeded US$5 billion in the same period,
with about US$0.4 billion exiting the Egyptian market and US$3.1 billion leaving the South African market.
These outflows strained African banks, many of which recorded sharp drops in their net foreign assets,
exacerbating liquidity constraints and undermined capacity to finance the growth of African trade
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VENDREDI 30 AVRIL 2021 | BIZWEEK | ÉDITION 340 3
BIZ ALERT
PRESENTATION OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION INDEX REPORT
Covid-19 pandemic impetus for
greater African regional integration
As countries rebuild their economies following COVID-19, Africa needs to step up productive and infrastructural integration, participants heard at a
regional presentation of the African Regional Integration Index (ARII) held virtually last week
T he African Regional Integration Index report, a
joint publication of the Economic Commission for
Africa, the African Development Bank and the Af-
rican Union Commission, provides up-to-date data on the
status of regional integration in Africa and assesses the lev-
gional integration depend to function
Alhaji Rashid Kibowa, Director of Trade at the East
African Community Secretariat, said the Index report has
great potential to address the three major challenges cur-
rently facing the continent: the Covid-19 pandemic, imple-
el of integration for every regional economic community mentation of the AfCFTA, and poverty reduction.
and its member countries. “The latest edition of the African Regional Integration
The Index report underlines the need for a renewed Index is not only timely but handy to help any African
commitment to regional integration within Africa, speakers country identify its main strengths and weaknesses with its
said at a virtual regional presentation last week. They noted regional integration performance,” said Stephen Karingi,
that the beginning of trade under the African Continental the Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Divi-
Free Trade Area in January 2021, amid the Covid-19 pan- sion of the East African Community.
demic and its disruptive impact on movement and econo-
mies, had thrown this into sharper focus. Renewed call
The report, released in May 2020 but presented to Af-
rican countries in April this year, found that overall scores Jean-Guy Afrika, the African Development Bank’s Act-
for countries in Southern and Eastern Africa show huge ing Director for the Regional Integration Coordination
room for improvements, especially as to integration within Office, said the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the vul-
the continent. nerabilities of the continent, especially the low levels of
intra-African trade and the proliferation of non-tariff bar-
Poorly integrated riers. Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the
“The continent will only grow economically if we allow the free East African Community, and the Southern African Devel-
The Index indicates that overall, the level of integration flow of goods and services across our borders, allow free movement of opment Community on 15 April, with a renewed call for
on the continent is low, with an average score of 0.327. It people, and scale up regional value chains. As a matter of urgency, strengthened supply chains and connectivity.
notes that Africa is poorly integrated on the productive and we bring down tariff and non-tariff barriers, encourage cross-border In the coming months, the index will be presented to the
infrastructural dimensions, which are key aspects forming trade, and open the African skies,” Afrika added. Arab Maghreb Union and the Economic Community of
the foundations upon which the other dimensions of re- The Index was presented to the tripartite region of the Central African States.
makes searching simple
Official online directory of Mauritius Telecom
Business People
VENDREDI 30 AVRIL 2021 | BIZWEEK | ÉDITION 340 4
LA TOUR
Launch of the Continental
Survey Report:
Impact of COVID-19
on African Trade Finance
In the first survey of its kind, Afreximbank, the African Development Bank and its Making Finance Work for Africa partnership and the UN Eco-
nomic Commission for Africa conducted the first continent-wide Trade Finance Survey, to assess the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
on trade finance activities of commercial banks in Africa. Portfolio outflows from emerging market economies amounted to over US$100 billion in
the first quarter of 2020. Capital outflows from Africa exceeded US$5 billion in the same period, with about US$0.4 billion exiting the Egyptian
market and US$3.1 billion leaving the South African market. These outflows strained African banks, many of which recorded sharp drops in their
net foreign assets, exacerbating liquidity constraints and undermined capacity to finance the growth of African trade
Cont’d on page 5
VENDREDI 30 AVRIL 2021 | BIZWEEK | ÉDITION 340 5
LA TOUR
T
o better understand how COVID-19 affected sub-investment grade borrowers from international capital cess to US dollars, in which most trade flows (and therefore
trade finance in the continent, especially dur- markets. trade financing) are denominated. Of greater concern was
ing the first quarter of 2020, the African Ex- The pandemic may be brought under control, but it is al- the growing likelihood of default and bankruptcy across the
port-Import Bank (Afreximbank), together with ready clear that the consequences of this crisis for African commercial spectrum, with a resulting deterioration in credit
the United Nations Economic Commission for trade finance will be significant and lasting. In the short term, quality and risk.
Africa, Making Finance Work for Africa Partnership and the the limited supply of trade finance could inhibit the potential An analysis by the Asian Development Bank over sever-
African Development Bank (AfDB), undertook a survey of for trade to act as a vector of economic recovery in a region al years confirms that there is significant unmet demand for
commercial banks across the continent. where trade financing gaps were already sizeable. trade financing around the world. The studies report a persis-
The team benefited from consultations and guidance on tent trade financing gap estimated at around US$1.5 trillion
emerging themes with key industry leaders, including Central Massive outflows per year, with more than half of it incurred by Africa and
Bank Governors (Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Ghana, Asia (Kijin et al, 2019, 2019).
Central Bank of Kenya, Bank of Mauritius, National Bank These gaps have been magnified by the withdrawal of ma- Banks alone do not have the capacity to address this unmet
of Rwanda, Bank of Uganda, Bank of Zambia, and Reserve jor international banks from the African trade finance land- demand, for a variety of reasons, including credit/risk limita-
Bank of Zimbabwe). scape, owing to increased compliance and regulatory costs. tions and balance sheet constraints.
The overarching objective of the study entitled ‘Conti- Similarly, noteworthy are the risks associated with commodity Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trade financing gap
nental Survey Report: Impact of COVID-19 on African price cycles, as the exit of major banks from the commodities was stabilising in Africa and even decreasing in some jurisdic-
Trade Finance’ was therefore to understand how the Cov- trade finance market in the third quarter of 2020 illustrated. tions. Amid a major exodus of global banks and decreasing
id-19 triggered global crisis affected the dynamics of trade The period covered by the survey, January to April 2020, corresponding banking relationships, global de-risking of
finance, especially in Africa – a region which is characterized including the initial lockdown period– in March, capital out- bank relationships had a material impact in Africa, with the
by a significant trade finance gap. The survey also sought to flows from developing economies exceeded US$80 billion; in rate of de-risking increasing from 18 percent in 2013-2014 to
make recommendations and outline policy actions that could April, month-on-month global trade in goods contracted by 20 percent in 2015-2019.
ensure banks have adequate access to trade finance, to sustain 12.1% – points to the crisis’s potentially significant adverse
trade flows and accelerate the process of economic recovery impact on African trade finance. These massive outflows Overcoming obstacles
post-COVID-19. strained banks, most of which recorded sharp drops in net
The surveyed covered the first four months of 2020, in- foreign assets, and exacerbated liquidity constraints, with sig- An important takeaway in considering constraints to the
cluding April, the height of the pandemic downturn, when nificant implications for trade financing. The survey results supply of trade financing in Africa is that most of the major
global trade contracted by over 5 percent. reveal that letters-of-credit business and correspondent bank- obstacles identified can be mitigated or addressed through
ing operations slumped substantially across the continent. policy or regulatory action, even on a temporary basis, to help
Coverage ensure adequate trade financing levels during the pandem-
The survey targeted more than 370 commercial banks in-
Significant interventions ic and in the critically important post-COVID-19 recovery
phase.
volved in trade finance across the continent and achieved a by central banks Just as national governments, international bodies, and
response rate of more than 50 percent, with a balanced geo- regulatory authorities have sought to respond quickly to the
graphical coverage. As regulatory institutions, most central banks in Africa re- COVID-19 situation to ensure support to individuals, fami-
In terms of asset coverage, the participating banks ac- sponded to the pandemic with significant and swift measures, lies, and businesses, those same authorities must keep trade
counted for about 58 percent of the US$1.5 trillion in total including loose monetary polies and favorable prudential re- flowing and trade-based development and economic recovery
assets held by commercial banks in Africa. quirements, such as reductions in reserve ratios, with the goal a viable option. This cannot be achieved without access to
While the survey results illustrate the adverse impact of the of promoting access to finance while also ensuring financial adequate levels of trade financing.
pandemic downturn on trade finance across the region, most sector stability. The sharp appreciation of the US dollar in the early stages
notably reflected in increased rejection of letters of credit Additionally, most central banks granted some flexibility of the COVID-19 crisis may have had knock-on effects to
(L/Cs), the results also highlight significant variations across to commercial banks regarding adherence to regulatory and trade finance from stress in the banking system. But excess
continent. compliance requirements, extending deadlines for filing re- reliance on the US dollar for trade in Africa means access
turns, reducing supervisory burdens, and instituting regular and exchange rate volatility, it also involves potentially high
Key constraints virtual meetings to minimize face-to-face interactions during transaction costs.
the crisis. Through these exceptional measures to ease regula- Pre-COVID-19, access to trade finance was already a ma-
The supply of trade finance, which supports more than tory burdens and boost the availability of liquidity within the jor constraint to trade and growth in Africa, a region where
80% of global trade flows annually, has been one of the key financial system, central banks sustained the flow of goods the annual trade finance gap was estimated to exceed US$80
constraints to the growth of African trade. Although it has and trade for a speedy economic recovery in the post-con- billion, according to the latest continental survey carried out
proven to be a low-risk asset class, trade finance’s short-term tainment phase of the pandemic. by the African Development Bank and Afreximbank. These
and transactional nature has emerged as an important risk challenges of financing African trade have been exacerbated
multiplier, with business cycle ‘credit crunches’ adversely af- Significant unmet demand by the COVID-19-induced global downturn, which tight-
fecting import and exports. ened global financing conditions, triggered massive capital
These risks were magnified by the COVID-19-induced There is concern in some quarters that the COVID-19 pan- outflows, and put significant strain on banks and financial
downturn, which heightened global volatility and exacerbated demic will likewise pose challenges to assured access to timely institutions.
risk perception in the face of increasing balance of payments and affordably priced trade financing. No immediate systemic There is little doubt that access to trade finance will be
pressures and widening trade deficits. Sharp falls in the eco- issues were flagged at the start of the pandemic, when it was important to the recovery post-containment phase. This real-
nomic activity triggered by lockdowns and border closures reported that banks and other industry participants contin- ity is reflected in calls on policymakers most notably by G20
were accompanied by dramatic increases in health expendi- ued to conduct transactions in good faith and in line with Leaders and the International Chamber of Commerce and
tures. Tighter global financing conditions triggered massive accepted rules, practice, and guidelines, with no evidence of others (including the B20/ G20 processes) to ensure that
capital outflows from Africa and resulted in a sharp widen- shortage of capacity or liquidity constraints. However, con- appropriate priority and enabling conditions are accorded to
ing of interest rate spreads, while temporarily shutting out cerns emerged gradually, for example regarding adequate ac- trade finance.
VENDREDI 30 AVRIL 2021 | BIZWEEK | ÉDITION 340 6
ACTA PUBLICA
A REPORT BY THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT
Q2 Global Forecast: What
next for vaccine diplomacy?
China and Russia have been sending millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines to (mostly) developing states in recent months. Through this “vaccine
diplomacy” operation, Russia and China aim to establish themselves as reliable suppliers of vaccines, strengthen their global presence, and boost their
bilateral relations with the many emerging countries where Western influence is declining. China is also trying to restore its global reputation, which
took a hit in the early stages of the pandemic. Vaccine diplomacy deals are different from regular contracts between pharmaceutical companies and
R
governments: vaccine diplomacy deals are concluded between two sovereign states, making them (geo)political rather than business-oriented deals
ussia and China are playing a long game with
vaccine diplomacy. Their intention is not only to
win plaudits for fulfilling a short-term need, but
to cement their influence over the long term.
Both countries are establishing vaccine facilities
across the world and training local workers from emerging
countries, betting that such a strategy will boost their pres-
ence on the ground for decades to come. In doing so, Russia
and China are gaining leverage on the cheap while fulfilling
commercial goals. In most cases, they are not donating vac-
cines, but selling them; in China’s case, state-owned firms are
competing with private ones for the supply of shots.
Assistance in the form of vaccines will often come with
economic or political strings attached. For instance, Russia
started discussions with Bolivia about access to mines pro-
ducing rare earth minerals and nuclear projects shortly after
delivering a consignment of its Sputnik V vaccine. Vaccines
may also prove to be a reward for countries that have proved
to be reliable partners in the past. For example, China may
seek to reward Cambodia and Laos with vaccines for their
support on territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Mean-
while, Pakistan may be getting shots in return for its approval
of projects linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Russia and China hope that recipient states will prove year. Russia was the first country in the world to authorise a sent from the vaccine diplomacy scene. This reflects intense
grateful and find it hard to say no if they ask for a favour. vaccine, Sputnik V, in August 2020. However, the country’s political pressure in these countries to vaccinate their own
Looking ahead, both China and Russia will expect recipient vaccination campaign has had a slow start so far because of population first. It also reflects the recent controversies over
countries to back them at the UN, facilitate access to natu- production-related constraints and high vaccine hesitancy; the UK-developed AstraZeneca vaccine, which was original-
ral resources, fast-track the approval of investment projects, in late April Russia was administering only 0.2 coronavirus ly intended—and priced—as a crucial vaccine for emerging
facilitate trade, or become more open to buying defence shots per 100 people per day (about three times less than markets. Widespread hesitancy around this vaccine has left a
equipment or 5G technology. That vaccination against the France and the UK, and five times less than the US), and the gap for Russia and China to exploit.
coronavirus could become an annual occurrence for at least number of people who want to get vaccinated is declining. This does not mean that Western states are doing nothing
some age groups is only likely to reinforce this trend. The Economist Intelligence Unit believes that mass im- to help emerging countries access affordable vaccines; most
munisation will only be achieved in Russia during the first rich countries are donors to the WHO-led COVAX fund. In
How are China and Russia half of 2022. Meanwhile, China’s vaccination programme some countries, such as Cambodia, COVAX deliveries could
choosing recipient countries? also faces a daunting challenge, given the size of the pop-
ulation and the seemingly low efficacy of some of the Chi-
surpass those from China and Russia. However, the recent
decision of the Indian government to drastically reduce ex-
nese-made vaccines (recent data suggest that the Sinovac ports of coronavirus vaccines will temporarily complicate
Russia and China are aiming to take advantage of a “vac-
shot may be around 50% effective, just marginally above the rollout of COVAX-sponsored vaccines (Indian factories
cine vacuum”—a perceived failure of Western states to
the WHO-set threshold for coronavirus vaccines). Vaccine are meant to supply more than 80% of COVAX-delivered
help in the provision of vaccines. They are also seeking to
hesitancy and the limited number of healthcare workers are shots).
leverage resentment against Western countries, which have
also holding back the pace of the rollout. In late April China
secured access to more than half of the global supply of
vaccines this year and are prioritising immunising their own
was administering only around 0.2 coronavirus shots per 100 Is the damage done to the
populations.
people per day.
For these reasons, we do not believe that China will
reputation of Western powers?
China and Russia are using this situation to their own
achieve widespread immunisation coverage before the sec-
advantage by presenting themselves as the “saviours” of G7 states are increasingly concerned about being perceived
ond half of 2022 (although vaccination in some urban areas
emerging countries, providing vaccines on an often (al- as unreliable partners by developing countries. However, we
could be completed by end-2021). However, successful pan-
though not always) affordable basis to countries that would expect Western countries to engage in vaccine diplomacy
demic containment means that vaccine deployment is not so
otherwise struggle to vaccinate their populations. However, only later this year (once the bulk of their populations have
urgent in China.
China and Russia are not sending vaccines in equal numbers been vaccinated). The recent initiative from the Quad (an
In Russia, and to a lesser extent also in China, conflicting
to all emerging countries. Some, such as Brazil, Chile, Indo- informal alliance between the US, Australia, Japan and In-
priorities between vaccinating the domestic population and
nesia and Mexico, will get millions of doses. dia) to supply vaccines to South East-Asian countries illus-
exporting shots will remain acute throughout 2021. To tackle
Others, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, will get only a trates the delayed timeline for such ventures. In March Quad
this issue, both countries are opening additional factories at
few thousand vaccines, suggesting that this is more of a pub- members announced that the US and Japan would finance
home and abroad. Sputnik V will be produced in a dozen
lic relations exercise than a genuine attempt to fill an urgent the production of 1bn Johnson & Johnson (US) coronavirus
countries, including Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, Serbia and
need. China and Russia are focusing their efforts on regions vaccines.
South Korea. Meanwhile, there will be production lines for
where they are courting favours from emerging countries These would be produced in India, but Australia would
the various Chinese shots in around ten countries, including
(for instance, Asia for China), directly competing with West- support their distribution. However, no vaccine is expected
Indonesia, Malaysia and the UAE.
ern powers for influence (such as eastern Europe, and in par- to be shipped before late 2022. Overall, the vaccine diplo-
However, it is unlikely that extra production lines will help
ticular the western Balkans, for both China and Russia), or macy efforts of Western states are likely to begin too late to
to ease supply issues before the second half of 2021 (at the
where they have only a limited presence so far (as is the case catch up with those of Russia and China, which are so far
earliest); setting up vaccine factories is technically challeng-
for Latin America, which is traditionally within America’s winning the public relations battle. It is likely that the dam-
ing and takes a minimum of six months before they are op-
sphere of influence). age to the reputation of Western countries has already been
erational.
done and will be hard to repair. In the coming years, this
Will Russia and China deliver? Are Western countries engaging
will reinforce the global standing and leverage of Russia and
China in emerging countries, helping both countries to gain
Russia and China’s vaccine diplomacy strategy is not with- in vaccine diplomacy? influence and pursue their interests around the world. The
out risks: both countries will struggle to vaccinate their own longer-term consequence of today ’s vaccine diplomacy will
populations while meeting their ambitious export targets this The EU, the US and the UK have so far mostly been ab- be a further fragmentation of the global order.
VENDREDI 30 AVRIL 2021 | BIZWEEK | ÉDITION 340 7
POST SCRIPTUM
GLOBAL
The rise of Mergers
and Acquisitions
With cross-border Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) growing from $31 billion in 1985 to over
$1.2 trillion in 2019, there is no doubt that there is a global appetite for such deals. While
parties involved in M&A transactions generally expect to close deals smoothly and proceed
with their respective businesses in peace, reality shows that disputes inevitably arise and parties
have to take this into consideration when drafting the deals by opting for either national court
litigation or arbitration
may be a need for relief on an urgent basis
in order to compel or prevent one of the
parties from taking action that may have
consequences regarding the valuation of the
target.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated
restrictions introduced across the world
have undoubtedly had an effect on M&A
transactions, the sectors most affected being
aviation, tourism, retail & clothing and
food & beverage. 2020 will be remembered
as a year in which major M&A deals fell
through, such as Victoria Secret’s aborted
acquisition by Sycamore, or other near
failures such as the acquisition of Tiffany
by LVMH, which nearly broke down and
was only completed after the parties agreed
on a discount of the price per share. The
following sections consider the main types
of M&A arbitrations that are seen in
practice and the impact that the prevailing
sanitary situation is likely to have on them.
Conclusion
M&A arbitration’s recent rise in popularity
looks set to continue. Even prior to the
M
ergers & Acquisitions (M&A) to 29% of all disputes in 2019, making COVID-19 pandemic, the advantages
arbitration has risen in popularity it the most popular sector. This rise in of arbitration over litigation had made
in parallel to the growth of the popularity is understandable given that themselves clear. Now, with the number of
deals and can cover all the moments of some of arbitration’s advantages fit disputes set to continue to rise, there is no
a transaction. According to the statistics particularly well with the structure of M&A doubt that this trend will gather further
issued by various arbitration institutions, transactions. These include confidentiality, momentum.
(i) shareholders’ agreements, (ii) share the possibility of appointing experts in the
purchase agreements and (iii) joint field as arbitrators and ease of enforcement. [Source: Wolters Kluwer Asia-Pacific
venture agreements represent a substantial Furthermore, arbitration manages to keep - a global provider of professional
part of their caseload. For instance, up with national court practices in order to information, software solutions, and
these agreements represent 14% of the fit the specific needs of its users, as can be services for the healthcare; tax and
cases administered by the LCIA in 2019. seen in the recent introduction of injunctive accounting; governance, risk and
According to the SIAC’s 2019 Annual relief in the ICC rules. This introduction compliance; and legal and regulatory
Report, corporate disputes amounted is paramount to M&A disputes, as there sectors. April 2021]
FACILITATOR
MCB provides USD 60m funding to fuel Senegal’s
national electrification and LNG-use ambitions
MCB is facilitating Senegal’s endeavour Senegal’s electrification rate was 69% in tainable Development.
to improve its national electrification rate 2018, with a 92% rate in urban areas and Commenting on the Powership’s syndi-
through its USD 60 million participation only 42% in rural areas. As per the Govern- cated project finance facility and on MCB’s
in the syndicated project finance facility of ment’s Plan Sénégal Emergent, a national strong involvement in the project, Zaahir
USD 140 million to Karpowership. MCB roadmap adopted back in 2014, the state Sulliman, Head of Specialised Finance,
was not only a co-mandated lead arranger ambitions to increase its electrification rate MCB, said: “We are proud to be contributing to-
but provided the highest loan commitment. to 100% by 2025, whilst focusing on lower- wards Senegal’s universal electrification goal and its
The project finance facility is enabling Kar- ing electricity generation costs by reducing transition from reliance on heavy fuel oil to LNG
powership to operate its 235 MW Power- its dependence on imported liquid fuels and for its electricity production. This commitment is in
ship alongside the shores of Dakar since increasing electricity access to rural areas. line with Success Beyond Numbers, the Group’s
August 2019. Providing electricity to places outside the corporate sustainability strategy, which aims at
The Powership is contributing to around ambit of urban areas is directly in line with aligning business development, socioeconomic pro-
15% of Senegal’s electricity supply. Ac- Sustainability Development Goal (“SDG”) gress and profitability with the notion of sustain-
cording to Africa Energy Outlook 2019, n° 7 of the United Nation’s charter on Sus- ability over time”.
VENDREDI 30 AVRIL 2021 | BIZWEEK | ÉDITION 340 8
DEBRIEF
À L’OCCASION DE LA JOURNÉE MONDIALE DE LA LIBERTÉ DE LA PRESSE
Analyse
Conférence sur le thème “ médicale :
C-Lab
Pour une couverture éthique propose un
service de
et responsable des questions prélèvements
à domicile
relatives aux droits humains Effectuer ses analy-
ses médicales en toute
et à la violence domestique “
sécurité, sans avoir à se
déplacer. C’est l’avan-
tage qu’offre le service de
prélèvements à domicile
La promotion et la protection des droits humains est une priorité de l’Union eu- proposé par C-Lab, filiale
ropéenne (UE) tant au niveau de sa politique intérieure que de son action extérieure. du groupe C-Care spécial-
isée en matière d’analyses
Le jour où nous célébrons la journée internationale de la liberté de la presse, il est médicales. En raison du
bon de rappeler que les médias sont dans ce contexte un acteur essentiel de la sensibi- confinement national, un
lisation du public aux droits humains nombre croissant de pa-
L
tients ont opté pour cette
es médias ont un rôle cen- prestation au cours des
tral dans la formation des dernières semaines. Ils
opinions, des perceptions et ont ainsi reçu la visite d’un professionnel de santé, formé et entière-
des comportements. Dans ce con- ment équipé, qui s’est assuré de collecter les échantillons nécessaires
texte, la Délégation de l’Union eu- dans le respect des règles sanitaires. Tous les types d’analyses sont
ropéenne (UE) auprès de la Répub- offerts, incluant les tests PCR.
lique de Maurice organise, le lundi
3 mai, une conférence sur le thème
“Pour une couverture éthique et responsa-
Absa Bank (Mauritius) Limited ferme
ble des questions relatives aux droits hu- sa succursale de Goodlands
mains et à la violence domestique.” Afin de poursuivre la mise en œuvre de sa stratégie numérique et
La couverture médiatique d’offrir de nouveaux services innovants à ses clients, Absa Maurice
des questions d’égalité femmes- réorganise son réseau à travers l’île. Dans ce contexte, la banque in-
hommes, de violence domestique sentement plutôt qu’une violence la couverture médiatique des ques- forme sa clientèle et le public en général qu’elle procèdera à la ferme-
et de personnes en situation de physique inacceptable ? Dans les tions relatives aux droits humains et ture définitive de sa succursale située à Goodlands à partir de 16h, le
handicap peut parfois nous interpe- cas impliquant des personnes en à la violence domestique ; de sen- vendredi 21 mai 2021. Les clients pourront se rendre à la succursale
ler : certains gros titres semblent, situation de handicap, le langage sibiliser les journalistes et le public d’Absa située à Grand Baie La Croisette ou utiliser les plateformes
trop souvent, rechercher le sensa- utilisé peut souvent porter atteinte en général à la responsabilité des numériques pour effectuer leurs transactions bancaires.
tionnalisme et aboutissent parfois à la dignité des personnes. journalistes et des médias sociaux
Les journalistes ont donc une à l’importance d’une couverture
à jeter une partie du blâme sur les
victimes. Combien de fois les médi- responsabilité importante dans le médiatique responsable de ces
Quand MC Vision accompagne ses
as utilisent-ils des termes tels que « choix des mots utilisés pour évo- questions, et d’explorer les moyens équipes vers le retour de soi durant
crime passionnel » ou « une femme qui quer des faits traitant des questions d’améliorer cette couverture média-
a trompé son compagnon » ou d’autres relatives aux droits humains et à la tique pour protéger et promouvoir le confinement
violence domestique ou conjugale. la dignité humaine et les droits hu- Réinstaurer le bien-être de tout un chacun au sein de l’entreprise.
termes similaires qui impliquent
La conférence a pour objectifs mains (formation, code d’éthique, C’est dans cette optique que MC Vision/CANAL+ Maurice, à travers
qu’il y a eu une forme d’excuse, de
d’exposer la problématique liée à etc.). son département des ressources humaines et son « Wellness Club »,
circonstance atténuante ou de con-
a mis en place une série de séances collectives avec une praticienne
de santé certifiée, depuis le 5 mars dernier. Par ces temps de con-
Business Mauritius réunit des chefs finement, cette initiative s’avère des plus importantes car elle aide
les employés de la société à cultiver leur bien-être intérieur et leur
bonheur.
d’entreprise autour d’une réflexion sur
le développement durable et inclusif
Permettre aux entreprises mau- cellence –, en collaboration avec a aussi profité de l’occasion pour
riciennes, des PME aux grands B Corp Market Builder Mauritius, officialiser un accord de collabo-
groupes, de mettre en œuvre les dans le cadre de la Journée mondi- ration entre SigneNatir, son pacte
impératifs de développement du- ale de la terre, le jeudi 22 avril, en environnemental et social, et B
rable et inclusif selon des critères présence de plusieurs représent- Corp Market Builder Mauritius,
internationaux. C’est dans cette ants d’entreprise. La conférence qui vise à canaliser et mutualiser
optique que Business Mauritius a était animée par divers orateurs les efforts des entreprises mauric-
organisé une conférence virtuelle internationaux, soit des pointures iennes en matière de développe-
– The Road To Sustainability Ex- dans leur domaine. L’organisme ment durable.
Smart City de Moka : Reprise graduelle des activités
économiques et des chantiers de construction
Après plusieurs semaines de fer- Dans ce dernier, les ouvriers de même que ceux des locaux qui
meture, de nombreux commerces, sont à pied d’œuvre sur les sites accueilleront bientôt l’enseigne de
petits et grands, rouvrent au fur et qui verront bientôt les showrooms restauration rapide, Burger King.
à mesure leurs portes depuis le 1er d’Axess, de Bamyris Motors, de De son côté, l’équipe de Decath-
avril dernier. À ce jour, tous les em- Redline et de Lam Choo & Co. lon est mobilisée pour terminer
ployés de la Smart City ont obtenu S’agissant du réseau électrique, le l’installation des produits en vue de
leur WAP. Tous les grands chanti- Central Electricity Board (CEB) l’inauguration du magasin dans les
ers ont d’ores et déjà repris. En ef- en collaboration avec la Smart City semaines à venir. À Vivéa Business
fet, les travaux ont redémarré dans de Moka a complété les travaux en Park, plusieurs chantiers ont été re-
les quartiers résidentiels des Prom- équipant la dernièrepartie de cette lancés, dont celui des Fascines, le
enades d’Helvétia ainsi que dans le zone. Au Bagatelle Mall, les travaux nouveau projet de bureaux d’Ofi-
quartier commercial de Bagatelle. d’agrandissement se poursuivent, cea.
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