Kenya AGO summit to promote exports

Ten years since the African Growth Opportunity Act (Agoa) was established, Kenya has only taken advantage of about 12 out of 6,500 export products. Concerns abound, the country has failed to diversify the range of its exports. Kenya’s exports are relatively lower priced goods such as tea, coffee, textiles, apparels, pyrethrum, handicrafts and processed nuts. However hope beckons as Kenya prepares to host Agoa summit which comes at a time when US agencies such as USAID have expressed will to collaborate with Kenyan authorities in building trade capacity and developing business plans to boost export business to the US. And Even though Kenya has local and regional constraints, which the Government is keen on addressing, there is need to build trade capacity to equip business people. Kenya has to handle issues of governance, intellectual property rights, reduce cost of production, tackle insecurity, improve its infrastructure and eliminate corruption to achieve stable, more democratic political conditions and an improved economic environment.

Mexico to introduce biometric identity cards

President Felipe Calderon says Mexico will start issuing nationwide identity cards for its citizens starting this year, and by 2012 everyone will have one. The cards will carry the bearer’s photograph. It will also include information on fingerprints and biometric data, including facial and iris scans, on a magnetic strip. Most Mexicans currently use their voter ID cards for identification. They contain a photo, signature and one fingerprint. They will continue to be issued. Interior Secretary Fernando Gomez Mont said Tuesday the new cards will help in the fight against organized crime, and ensure transparency in government aid programs. Drug traffickers frequently use false identification documents to evade law enforcement.

Jordanian students celebrate Secondary School Examination results

Results of General Secondary School Certificate Examination, known as Tawjihi in Jordan, were announced on Wednesday as expected. Almost every year, this day is tagged by the unfortunate accidents caused by the joyous crowds celebrating the results. The main problem faced on this day is careless driving down the Jordanian streets. This year, like every year, government announcements have warned of such actions, and announced that policemen will be browsing the streets with the intention of finding those responsible for such dangerous celebrations; a procedure that is very unlikely to stop the irresponsible celebrations, which continue as I record this report right now.