Botswana Stock Exchange
Passport Information - "Gaborone Botswana"
US passport applications can be downloaded from http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html. Applications printed on A4 paper stock will be accepted by the embassy. ... Passport applicants in Botswana should submit their documents in person at the consular section during regular American Citizen Services hours, Monday through Friday. Payment is accepted by credit card, in U.S. dollars, or in pula at the prevailing exchange rate. For other passport information, downloadable application forms, locations to conveniently apply, a list of all Regional Passport Agencies, and a wealth of other passport and travel information, customers may visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at www.travel.state.gov Customers may also call the National Passport Information Center at 1-900-225-5674 or, with a major credit card, at 1-888-362-8668. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Pharmacies and supermarkets stock a good variety of shampoos, soap and other toiletries. If you have a strong brand preference for a U.S. product, plan to bring a supply with you. Cosmetics are also available, but are quite expensive. Pharmacies stock most medications, with prices for over-the-counter items being more expensive than in the U.S. and prices for prescription medications being less. Tobacco products are widely available and cheaper than in the U.S. Paper products such as wrapping paper, ribbons, greeting cards, napkins, school supplies, etc., are stocked. Sewing notions and fabrics are available. ... [Read More]
M) Money Laundering and Financial Crimes
To facilitate the ongoing exchange of information to combat money laundering, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has fostered information exchange with other financial intelligence units (FIUs) around the globe, as well as, on a case by case basis, with law enforcement and regulatory agencies of foreign governments. In a few cases (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, France, Mexico, Panama, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom), information exchange arrangements involving FinCEN and other FIUs have been reduced to writing in the form of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or an exchange of letters. The form of an information exchange arrangement depends on the needs of the FIUs. Prior to the establishment of these types of information exchange arrangements, the United States in limited circumstances entered into cooperation agreements referred to as Financial Information Exchange Agreements (FIEAs) for the exchange of "currency transaction in ... [Read More]
USIS Washington File: WORLD BANK REPORTS LDC DEBT LEVELS UP SLIGHTLY IN 1997
South Asia: Disbursements from official creditors -- which hold 75 percent of the region's debt -- boosted slightly the stock of debt to $139,000 million in 1997. More than half of the official debt is owed to multilateral financial institutions. The region's ability to service their debt improved slightly last year and is indicative of a regional trend during most of the decade. The ratio of debt-to-exports fell from 194 percent in 1996 to 180 percent in 1997 while the debt service ratio was roughly stable at 21 percent. In 1990, the debt-to-export ratio was 317 percent and the debt service ratio was 28 percent. The trend reflects a more than doubling of export receipts since 1990, avoidance of debt restructuring, and the high share of concessional debt (53 percent of total debt of the region in 1997, compared with the 20 percent average for developing countries). ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Text: Greenspan Cites Risks of Borrowing by Developing Countries
Mexico is a particularly interesting case. In the two decades before 1995, the Mexican economy suffered several severe crises. Yet in recent years, with the implementation of NAFTA, a floating exchange rate regime, relatively stable fiscal policies, and much lower inflation, Mexico's vulnerability appears to have declined markedly. This country now seems to be viewed by international investors as a relative "safe haven" within the region. ... Levine, Ross, and Sara Zervos (1998), "Stock Markets, Banks, and Economic Growth," American Economic Review, vol. 88 (June), pp. 537-58. ... [Read More]
U.S.-Africa Relations at the Beginning of the 21st Century
We are helping develop capital markets in Africa by assisting governments there to obtain sovereign credit ratings. Sovereign credit ratings announce a country’s openness to private capital flows and facilitate investment. When this Administration started, there were only four African countries with sovereign credit ratings – South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius and Senegal. Now six additional countries have ratings, and ten more are in the queue. We now have a number of Treasury technical advisors in Africa, assisting governments in developing national bond markets and, in the case of the East Africa Community, a regional bond market, and reforming antiquated stock exchange listing requirements to help a broader range of companies gain access to equity finance. Uganda recently floated a two-year bond, attracting significant investor interest from neighboring countries, especially Kenya – instead of capital flight these kinds of programs are encouraging Africans to invest in Africa. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Supplies and Services SuppliesLast Updated: 6/1/2005 8:18 AM Locally produced or imported South African brand-name deodorants, toiletries, cosmetics, feminine supplies, medicines and over-the-counter drug items, diapers, laundry detergents, cleansers, paper supplies, and other common households items are readily available on the local market. While U.S. brands are not generally available locally, the commissary makes every effort to stock and sell many of these items. CLO sends newly assigned personnel comprehensive lists of scarce or expensive goods and suggested airfreight and HHE, as well as merchandise stocked by the commissary. ... [Read More]
Prosperity Paper No. 1
Market determined Number of exchange rates; exchange rate level of government intervention; existence of a parallel exchange market; gap between free and parallel exchange rates; real effective exchange rate over time ... Stock, bond, and futures markets ... [Read More]
Money Laundering and Financial Crimes
(1) Patterns of Global Terrorism—1999, United States Department of State Publication 10687, April 2000.A wide-ranging joint FBI and Department of Treasury investigation into interstate cigarette smuggling, involving a suspected Hizballah terrorist cell operating in Charlotte, North Carolina, led to the July 21, 2000 arrest by U.S. authorities of 18 individuals. Ten days later a federal grand jury in North Carolina indicted these individuals, including seven suspected Hizballah supporters, for immigration fraud and related bribery and conspiracies; conspiring to smuggle contraband cigarettes; and conspiring to launder money. Many of the defendants continue to be detained prior to trial, while the investigation continues. At least seven of the defendants are suspected members of, or sympathetic to Hizballah, a foreign terrorist organization designated as such under U.S. law in 1997 and again in 1 ... [Read More]
III. Focus Country Activities
Care activities in Uganda include CT, palliative care including clinical care, integrating HIV/AIDS and TB services, and support for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). There are strong indigenous NGOs in Uganda with experience in voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), yet service sites are too few and are understaffed and stock-outs of HIV test kits are common. Demand for CT continues to increase, especially with access to treatment. In FY 2005, CT coverage will increase to more than 400 sites, testing 524,834 people by expanding traditional VCT sites, especially in underserved areas. Care and treatment programs will be trained and equipped to offer VCT. Support for the national logistics system will ensure test kits are in place. Routine CT will be initiated in 2 large teaching hospitals and 32 district hospitals. Programs in two districts will pilot a 100% VCT access approach using a home-based approach to VCT delivery. ... [Read More]
|