The city of Langfang in north China’s Hebei Province saw its first China-Europe freight train leave the station Saturday.

The freight train, carrying 55 40-foot containers, will complete a journey of 7,800 km.

It will leave the country via Erenhot Port in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, pass through Mongolia and finally arrive at its destination in Moscow 17 days later.

The goods, with a total value of nearly 20 million yuan (about 2.88 million U.S. dollars), mainly include light industrial products, food, clothing and daily necessities, which are from local companies in Langfang, and import and export companies in surrounding areas.

The freight train service is of great significance to further promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and integrating into the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, according to the city’s development and reform commission.(Xinhua/NAN)

At least 33 people have died in an accident involving a boat with migrants onboard off the southern Italian coast, media reports said on Sunday.

On the northern Norwegian archipelago of Spitsbergen, the 15th anniversary of the Global Seed Vault will be celebrated on Sunday.

Almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of drivers in Britain believe aggressive cyclists are a threat to their safety, a new survey suggests.

The poll of 2,010 British motorists, commissioned by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, also indicated that 60 per cent believe aggressive cyclists are a bigger problem compared with three years ago.

A similar proportion of respondents (61 per cent) said they would not support a law assuming drivers are always responsible for collisions with cyclists or pedestrians in urban areas.

Department for Transport (DfT) figures show four car occupants were killed in crashes involving a bicycle and a car on Britain’s roads between 2012 and 2021.

That is compared with 494 fatalities of cyclists in such incidents over the same period.

IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “The government has introduced a range of laws in recent years in an effort to fix the daily conflicts we see between motorists and cyclists.

“However, if our research is anything to go by, this has largely been to no avail, with the majority of respondents still reporting aggression and conflict among road users.

“There is no quick-fix to this issue, but our research sheds light on the urgent need for the Government to maintain its education campaigns on the new Highway Code, and continue to invest in safe road markings for more vulnerable road users to minimize the chance of conflict wherever possible.

“In the meantime, all road users, whether on two or four wheels, should exercise calmness and restraint to help us all use Britain’s roads safely.”

New rules came into force in June 2022 meaning judges in Britain can hand down life sentences to dangerous drivers who kill and careless drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs.

Two months later, then-transport secretary Grant Shapps pledged to create a “death by dangerous cycling” law that would treat killer cyclists the same as motorists.

Nearly four out of five (78 per cent) respondents to the IAM RoadSmart survey said people driving motor vehicles aggressively are putting their safety at risk.

Some 108 people were killed in 2021 in crashes where aggressive driving was a contributory factor, equivalent to 8 per cent of all road deaths.

Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at charity Cycling, said: “There’s no excuse for aggressive behaviour – people can behave badly no matter what mode of transport they’re using.

“The consequences are however disproportionate, with statistics showing poor driving far more likely to lead to a fatality or serious injury.

“The Highway Code changed last year to emphasise the additional responsibility those in charge of larger vehicles, because they were more likely to cause harm if there is a collision.

“Cycling UK has repeatedly called for a long-term well-funded public awareness campaign by the government to ensure that the changes are better communicated and understood, which in turn will make our roads safer for everyone.”

The amendments to the Highway Code included the creation of a hierarchy of road users based on vulnerability.

It means someone driving has more responsibility to watch out for people cycling, walking or riding a horse.

Another change involved motorists being told they should leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at up to 48 kilometres per hour, and leave more space at higher speeds.

The survey for IAM RoadSmart was conducted by research company Cint in December 2022.(dpa/NAN)

(Front row):The Governor of Punjab Muhammad Rehman (2nd Right) with Mr Malik Ghulam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Commerce (Left) and Mr. Muhammed Motiwala. Chief Executive, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (Right)

By Maureen Okon

The Governor of Punjab, Mr Muhammad Rehman, hosted 300 delegates from 40 countries at the 2nd edition of the Engineering and Healthcare Show (EHCS) inaugural dinner in Lahore, Punjab.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EHCS was organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan, scheduled from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25 in the city of Lahore, Punjab Province.

Rehman, while addressing the delegations from Africa, Central Asian and Asia said that TDAP would leave no stone unturned for the smooth running of the ease to do business with businessmen and women at the expo.

“I feel confident that the event will meet its objectives and pave the way forward for similar sector specific exhibitions in Pakistan and I must appreciate the organisation of TDAP and participation of companies and delegates at this event.

“As you all are aware the world is presently passing through a global recession and worse affecting both the developing and the under developed countries,” he added.

According to Rehman, international financial experts have said that relative impact on the rise and fall of world currencies would continue to act as a re-balancing mechanism for world trade and provide stimulus for sustainable global growth.

”`We are at redemption with people across the globe particularly in the relatively higher leveraging countries including Pakistan are facing increasing rise in inflation.

”International trade has been affected by post pandemic effects including the crisis in global shipping lines.

“So, we have a strong belief that investing in trade with our partners in these times is the way forward and Pakistan has recently adopted the approach in organising or advising , focusing exhibitions to promote international trade,” he said.

Rehman added that EHCS was an indication of Pakistan’s sincere attempts to find new avenues during testing times and to create opportunity out of adversity.

He said that for years Pakistan solely focused on its emerging exports sector, however, this show was a testament that Pakistan was ready to diversify.

Rehman, therefore, invited all to celebrate with the success of Pakistan for actualising the progress done so far.

Mr Malik Ghulam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Commerce, lauded the enthusiasm of the delegates and the perception about the companies at the show with their quality products from all the sectors at EHCS.

He said that his hope was for the purpose of the exhibition to be achieved at the end, adding that, TDAP’s desire was to increase the diversification of the textile products and to promote the engineering sectors.

He, however, decried the negative propaganda of Pakistan at the global arena as malicious and was perpetrated by the enemies of the country, but gave assurance towards changing the global perception of Pakistani people.

Rehman added that Pakistan was blessed and its people were friendly, adding, ”but the country faces its economic challenges which were common with countries of the world during the global economic recession.

He gave assurances to fight recession and come back strongly at the global economy chart as they are resilient.

“Pakistan is open to investment. Our cause is to build Pakistan and create job opportunities for everyone in order to compete with China and India,’’ he said.

Speaking earlier, Mr Muhammad Motiwala, Chief Executive of TDAP, said that it was a great moment for Pakistan with over 180 companies at the second exhibition in Lahore.

He added that the initiative of the government of Pakistan to open its doors to global business would also give participants the opportunity to know the people of Pakistan and change the negative perception of the country.

“We are open to the world for both business and friendship, and also with this great initiative I think the sky’s the limit to the great potentials this expo will bring to us all,’’ he said. (NAN)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Maureen Okon

A delegation of 125 Nigerians and others have arrived in Pakistan for the 2nd edition of the Engineering and Healthcare Show (EHCS) scheduled to hold from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25, in Lahore Punjab province.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that 736 delegates from 55 countries across the globe are participating in the show, organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan.

According to the Secretary of TDAP, Dr Fareed Qureshi, the trade show which started in 2022, is conceived to help showcase Pakistani products to the world.

“TDAP’s primary objective is to promote Pakistani indigenous products and help export them to the global market by organising shows of this kind and in international trade fairs.

“This can be done by organising trade delegations and international trade fairs abroad by arranging the businesses of the country’s companies abroad in form of trade delegations, taking part in international trade fairs as well as arranging such fairs within Pakistan.

“The advantage of the fair is for foreign buyers to visit Pakistan and get first-hand experience of the quality products offered to them.

“The engineering and healthcare show is a forum that has built up a strong reputation in highlighting the diversity in our export sector.

“The first edition was held in 2022 and it attracted 325 delegates from 46 countries.

“The visitors held successful meetings with our manufacturers and trade chambers,” he said.

NAN reports that some of the countries that are participating in the show include Nigeria, Botswana, Angola, Qatar, Benin, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, China/Hong-Kong, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco.

Others are Guinea, Gambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Uzbekistan, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, SriLanka, Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda, Niger among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Idris Abdulrahman

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has appointed Ghanaian career banker, Mrs Josephine Anan-Ankomah as the Regional Executive, Central, Eastern and Southern African (CESA) and Managing Director, Ecobank Kenya.

Her appointment has since received clearance from the Central Bank of Kenya, a statement by the Ecobank Kenya said on Monday.

Anan-Ankomah leaves her role as Ecobank Group Executive, Commercial Banking, replacing Cheikh Travaly who retired in December 2022 after 21 years at the bank.

She has served the Bank for the past 30 years in various capacities and replaces Mr Cheikh Travaly who retired at the end of 2022 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years in accordance with Ecobank Group policy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Anan-Ankomah, who is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, holds an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology, both from the University of Ghana.

She will be responsible for leading and growing the Bank’s business in Kenya and the wider CESA region constituting 18 out of 33 Ecobank affiliates and one representative office.

Her career in Ecobank began at Ecobank Ghana in 1992 following her appointment as a Treasury Officer.

She has held other senior positions within the bank, such as Managing Director for Ecobank Gambia, Regional Treasurer – (Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and The Gambia), Chief Operating Officer – (Ecobank West African Monetary Zone/East & Southern Africa).

She had been Head of Corporate Strategy and Business Development (Ecobank Ghana) and Head – Investment Banking Group (Ecobank Ghana).

Anan-Ankomah wields a wealth of experience in treasury management, commercial banking, investment banking and possesses a sharp business acumen that will immensely benefit the Bank.

Ecobank Kenya Board of Directors Chairman, Mr Martin Mbogo, said: “The Board of Ecobank Kenya congratulates Josephine on her appointment.

“We are confident that Josephine is the right person for the role and has what it takes to further boost the Ecobank brand in Kenya and the CESA region to even greater heights.

“She is a leader with a proven track record of execution, great leadership skills and a deep understanding of customer dynamics, our products, and markets.”

Accepting her appointment, Anan-Ankomah said: “It is an honour to serve as Ecobank Kenya’s Managing Director and Group Executive for the CESA Region.

“I look forward to working with the Board, management and fellow Ecobankers to grow our business in Kenya and leverage the vast opportunities within the region to actualise Ecobank’s broader vision of fostering financial and economic integration.”

While thanking Travaly for his immense contribution and dedication to the Group for more than 21 years of service, outgoing Ecobank Group CEO, Ade Ayeyemi said the former Ecobank Kenya MD was instrumental in turning around the Kenyan and regional business especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and a prolonged economic slowdown.

Ayeyemi said: “Ecobank’s performance in the CESA region is a testament to Cheick’s turnaround capabilities.

“Following Cheick’s restructuring efforts, CESA’s Return on Equity (ROE) rose from a low of 2.3 percent in 2016 to 22.3 percent in 2021. Under his leadership, Ecobank Kenya’s Profitability rose from KES 127 million in 2019 to KES 677 million in 2021.

“Josephine will be building on this performance to elevate Ecobank to a position of leadership in the region.”

On his part, Travaly said: “It has been a privilege serving Ecobank for over 21 years as well as leading the Kenyan team and the regional business back to steady performance.

“I wish Josephine great success as she assumes the leadership of Ecobank Kenya and the CESA region,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

By Lizzy Okoij

Mr Uche Odozor, Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Diplomatic Village says the establishment of the facility will accelerate growth in Nigeria’s economy, provide employment opportunities and help government curb arbitrary importation.

Odozor made this known of Friday while taking some journalists on a tour of the facility, a government policy driven by private investment established in compliance with the Vienna Convention of 1961.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Vienna Convention exempts diplomats from all forms of duties and taxes in their serving countries.

Odozor said that with the technology deployed for the functioning of the village, the Nigerian government can now monitor diplomatic importation against any form of abuse and track the level of waiver granted via a data base.

He also noted that the opening of the facility has also created employment opportunities for Nigerians.

“Nigeria is signatory to a Vienna Convention Act of 1961 which provides duty free and tax-free shopping to all diplomats and commonwealth of nations in countries where they serve.

“And what that means is that all the all the personal consumption and products that diplomats are exposed to in this country are not to be taxed or vatted. Not just resident diplomats but those visiting.

“It has huge economic benefit because before now, every diplomat who could do so were bringing in items for their consumption. It became subjected to abuse of that privilege and that has worried the nation, we have incurred a lot of losses.

“That was why we started the discussion with the government since 2011, and the processes were really rather rigorous but today, the project has taken off.

“You can see the technology deployed and most importantly we can now track the level of waiver granted these waivers via a data base.

“What it means is a strict or more stringent measures in terms of controlling the level of arbitrary importation on the part of diplomats which by their rights they are entitled to.

“But some of these items, rather than bring them in for personal use, they come in in commercial volumes, so we lose revenue.

“So this is going to curb revenue loses. Their response in the past 48 hours since the launch is quite remarkable,” odozor said.

Odozor said that the government have provided adequate facility for the facility with the special squadron, which is diplomatic police stationed within and outside the premises.

The diplomatic village CEO also noted that as part of its inclusion mandate, arts and crafts from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are being displayed in the village for diplomats to buy.

He said that proceeds from the sale of the arts works are returned to the displaced persons in hundred per cent.

He also disclosed plans to establish similar facilities in other parts of the country with a high presence of diplomatic contingents like Lagos, and Borno States where staff of the United Nations are very much present.

Mr Mohammed Yakub, Director, Tax and Policy in the Ministry of Finance said that the establishment of the Diplomatic Village is in line with global practice.

He said that diplomats serving in Nigeria can now enjoy tax free services and items, the same things that Nigerian diplomats serving abroad enjoy.

The one-stop shop for diplomats have all the facilities and services that they need for their day to day living; duty free shopping mall, clinic, spa, restaurant, gym, luxury store, wine shop, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Maureen Okon

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) has indicated its desire to promote and export the country’s indigenous products to the global market.

The Pakistani High Commission disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja to announce the 2^nd edition of TDAP’s Engineering and Healthcare show scheduled to hold from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25 in Lahore, Punjab province.

The high commission quoted the Secretary of the agency Dr Fareed Qureshi as saying that such trade shows and international trade fairs would help showcase Pakistani products to the world.

“TDAP’s primary objective is to promote Pakistani indigenous products and help export them to the global market.

“This can be done by organising trade delegations and international trade fairs,” the high commission quoted him as saying.

The second edition of the engineering and healthcare show is organised by the TDAP and the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan.

According to him, the agency is primarily responsible for promoting Pakistani exports across the world by arranging the businesses of the country’s companies abroad “in form of trade delegations, taking part in international trade fairs as well as arranging such fairs within Pakistan.

“The advantage of the fair is for foreign buyers to visit Pakistan and get first-hand experience of the quality products offered to them.

“The engineering and healthcare show is a forum that has built up a strong reputation in highlighting the diversity in our export sector.

“The first edition was held in 2022 and it attracted 325 delegates from 46 countries.

“The visitors held successful meetings with our manufacturers and trade chambers.

“The government representatives and regulators were able to visit the manufacturing units and to satisfy themselves that Pakistan is indeed capable of supplying to the world quality products of international standard,’’ he said.

He added that the outcome of the event increased the percentage of export products to the African region by 16 per cent six months after the fair.

“This will allow for government regulators, trade associations, individuals, businesses, and companies to interact with their Pakistani counterparts and see the quality of industries in Pakistan.

“Factory visits are organised for delegates so that they can experience and see for themselves that the products they will end up buying are up to world standard.

“So we are looking forward to welcoming these visiting national delegates as well as the representative of the foreign government.

“Also, in the spirit that this multidimensional event would open up new vista not only for Pakistani exporters but also for foreign buyers,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)

Footage of Feb. 6, earthquake in Turkey

By Lizzy Okoji

The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Abuja has made available bank accounts for humanitarian assistance to victims of the Feb. 6 earthquake that hit the country.

In a statement  on Wednesday in Abuja, the embassy said it was making the account details available to kind-hearted Nigerians who would wish to make cash donations.

“You can make donations both in Nigerian Naira (NGN) and U.S Dollars (USD),” the embassy said.

It gave the Naira account details as  Zenith Bank account number 1228160057 with account name – Turkish Embassy Abuja-Humanitarian Assistance.

“Dollar Account – Zenith Bank, account name is Turkish Embassy Abuja-Humanitarian Assistance,” it said, giving the  account number as 5072131687.

The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, thanked the government and people of Nigeria for  assistance and support to Turkey.

The embassy had earlier requested for the urgent needs of the victims, including winter clothing.

It urged volunteers to place the items in clear bags and provide  itemised list of the contents in the bags which would be sent to Turkiye via Turkish Airlines.

According to the embassy, donation collection points for items are at No. 46, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, and ARMADA international Ltd.,  No. 8, Solomon Agbonton Road (Aerodrome Rood), Apapa, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Feb. 6, a  7.8 magnitude earthquake hit some cities in south-eastern Turkey and Syria.

According to reports, death toll has surpassed 40,000, while many others are injured, displaced and in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

President Recep Erdogan has declared a national emergency in Turkey and solicited for international humanitarian support.

President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged Nigeria’s support to Turkey. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola