Forex restriction: Dairy product import drops by 25.19%

Following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) restriction on foreign exchange for importation of certain products, Nigeria has witnessed a 25.19 per cent drop in importation of dairy products from New Zealand and three other countries.   New Telegraph reports that Nigeria imported N211billion ($578. 97million) worth of the product between 2017 and 2018.   Findings by New Telegraph revealed that the sharp drop had to do with CBN’s policy on foreign exchange restriction on the product, as statistics by International Trade Statistics (ITS) show that the country imported $331.19…

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OML 25: Nigeria suffers 35,000 barrels loss to dispute

  The Federal Government at the weekend declared that 35,000 barrels of crude production were lost daily to the disputed oil mining lease (OML) 25 between NNPC’s Joint Venture partner, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Belema Oil. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, declared this during their stakeholders’ visit to host communities and facilities of OML 25 in Kula Kingdom of Asari-Toru Local Government of Rivers State on Saturday. The…

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NBS: Banks’ non-performing loans drop to N1.44trn

      Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) in the nation’s banking industry have continued their downward trend in recent months, falling to N1.44trillion in the second quarter of this year from N1.67trillion in Q1, latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), shows.   According to the “Selected Banking Sector Data Q2 2019” report released by NBS over the weekend, gross loans granted by banks fell to N15.48trillion in Q2 ’19 from N15.54trillion in the first quarter.   According to New Telegraph, in terms of credit to private sector,…

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Dow Jones names Coca-Cola most sustainable beverage company

  A global benchmark for sustainability in business, the 2019 Dow Jones Sustainability Index, has rated Coca-Cola HBC as Europe’s most sustainable beverage company.   This is the 6th time in seven years that the company has been ranked number one in the index and the 9th year in a row that it has been ranked in the top three Global and European beverage companies.   According to a statement signed by Ekuma Eze, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, the breakdown for this new rating,…

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Helios Towers confirms intention to float on LSE

    Helios Towers plc yesterday confirmed its intention to proceed with an initial public offering of the ordinary shares of the company.   This follows the announcement by Helios Towers Limited on September 12, 2019 regarding the publication of a registration document.   The company intends to apply for admission of the shares to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange plc (LSE).   Admission will be subject to the…

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Financial services sector leads equities market fall

    The Nigerian equities market yesterday reversed the previous day’s positive sentiment to record a decline of 0.13 per cent as sell pressure by speculators heightened in quest of profit taking.   This was majorly impacted by sell down on financial services stocks.   Conversely, market breadth closed positively, recording 23 gainers as against 16 losers.   Consequently, the All-Share Index dipped 35.46 basis points or 0.13 per cent to close at 27,646.15 index points as against 27.681.61 recorded the previous day while market capitalisation of equities depreciated by…

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OECD: Global economy sliding towards weakest growth in decade

    Intensifying trade conflicts have sent global growth momentum tumbling toward lows last seen during the financial crisis, and governments are not doing enough to prevent long-term damage, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has said in its latest outlook.   The Paris-based organisation cut almost all economic forecasts it made just four months ago, as protectionist policies take an increasing toll on confidence and investment, and risks continue to mount on financial markets. It sees world growth at a mere 2.9 per cent this year.  …

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UBA launches Leo on Apple Business Chat

    The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, yesterday, announced that the services of its Chatbot, Leo, is now available for customers on Apple Business Chat, where its users can communicate directly with businesses using the Messages app on iPhone and iPad.   “As a brand focused on providing excellent customer experience, we are always looking for new ways to serve our customers easily and on time; we are therefore thrilled to support Apple Business Chat, which gives us a powerful and engaging connection with our customers,” said Mr.…

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NBS: Lack of market-oriented policies stifling growth

  Latest merchandize trade report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which showed a decline in the country’s foreign trade surplus in the first half of this year, as well as weak second quarter 2019 capital importation data earlier released by the bureau, indicates that a lack of market-oriented policies is hindering Nigeria’s economic growth, analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited, have said.   The analysts, who stated this in a report obtained by New Telegraph yesterday, said they expected the weak data to lead the Federal Government into…

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South Africa holds key rate in unanimous decision

South Africa’s central bank left its main interest rate on hold at 6.5 per cent yesterday as expected, saying it would like to see inflation expectations anchored closer to the midpoint of its target range.   The decision by the bank’s monetary policy committee was unanimous.   South Africa has seen benign inflation outcomes this year, but growth has been sluggish. That has piled pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has staked his reputation on lifting the economy out of a deep slump.   The South African Reserve Bank left…

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