Gulf countries seek stronger links.(Commercial Review)

WITH OIL ABOVE US$100 a barrel and soft commodities soaring, rich Arabian Gulf countries are seeking out business opportunities in Africa, following the successful lead shown by Chinese traders in the wake of big-business deals. An SME onslaught from this source could be on its way. Examples of really big deals include the huge agreement signed by Dubai World to set up a free trade zone on Senegal's coast, and Kuwait's Zain Group direct investment in mobile phone operations in more than a dozen countries. DW has also won a contract to expand the port of Dakar. Quoted in the Bahrain Tribune recently Karim Wade, son of Senegal's President, said "The Arab emirates, particularly Dubai, consider Africa as the future repository of world growth ... We need to develop economic and cultural exchange." The expansion of airline services between the two regions demonstrates the trend; some multinational engineering companies now use the UAE as a service centre for the entire African continent.

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