OIL

Sao Tome and Principe and Nigeria are expected as of 2011 to auction off four new oil blocks, which are smaller than those currently under prospection, the president of the Joint Development Authority (JDA) said (Macauhub).

LOAN

The President of Nigeria, Umaru YarÁdua has requested that parliament approve a government proposal to grant a subsidised loan of US$10 million to Sao Tome and Principe, to help the country to solve its financial difficulties (Macauhub).

RETAIL & BRAZIL

Over 150 containers of various food stuffs are due to arrive in Sao Tome from Brazil on 29 April, as part of the first imports by local retailers, thanks to a credit line of US$5 million from the Brazilian government (Macauhub).

PRIVATISATION

The government of Sao Tome and Principe intended to privatize the water and electricity company and should shortly launch an international tender, said the minister for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment Monday in Sao Tome (Macauhub).