Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established the “Radiophony and Sound Management Studio” within the Higher Institute of Music in Tunisia.

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Tunisia, Ahmet Misbah Demircan; the Deputy Minister of the Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia, Ahmet Sheikh al-Arabi; TİKA’s Coordinator in Tunisia, Ali Fuat Cebeci; the Rector of the University of Sousse, Lotfi Belkacem; the Director of the Higher Music Institute of Sousse, Faher Hakima and local administrators attended the opening ceremony of the studio, which will be utilized within the Higher Music Institute in Sousse, a coastal city located in the south of the capital Tunis.

Speaking at the opening of the studio, Ambassador Demircan said, “This project is of great importance not only for students of the music institute, but also for Tunisian youth. We are extremely proud to implement these projects enhancing relations at all levels between Türkiye and Tunisia. We will continue to take part and support projects which will strengthen bilateral relations in the forthcoming period.”

The Director of the Higher Music Institute of Sousse, Hakima stated that the studio will be utilized by students, and this project will contribute to the university’s history as a success story.

Underlining that the project initially had educational purposes, Hakima said,

“We have been trying to establish a radio within the university since 2017. At the studio, established with high-tech equipment and materials especially for students with visual impairments, there is everything a professional radio station needs. We thank to TİKA for the studio they established within our university.”

“The 3rd professional studio established by TİKA in Tunisia”

TİKA’s Coordinator in Tunisia, Cebeci noted that the Radiophony and Sound Management Studio established within the Higher Music Institute of Sousse will greatly contribute to students’ education.

Cebeci also added,

“The studio in Sousse, where we are present today for the inauguration, is the third professional studio established by TİKA in Tunisia. We previously established studios within the Tunisia News Agency (TAP) and the Tunisian National Children and Youth Informatics Center. However, one of the elements that makes this project meaningful is that individuals with visual impairments would also benefit from this studio through special equipment provided.”

Cebeci also stated that as an institution, they give special priority to activities aimed at supporting disadvantaged groups in society.

Emphasizing that it will also be possible to broadcast online from the studio, Cebeci expressed that the studio, which increased the physical capacity of the institute, will develop students’ skills and increase job opportunities in employment market.

According to data from TİKA’s Tunisia Office, TİKA, which started its activities in Tunisia in 2012, has implemented nearly 250 projects and activities especially in the education field up to now.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

On the sidelines of the recently concluded 2024 Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group Annual Meetings and Golden Jubilee Celebrations, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank or “the Bank”) (www.Afreximbank.com) concluded arrangements for a facility of USD 250 million with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and USD 100 million with the Islamic Corporation for Development of the Private Sector (ICD) in support of trade and projects in Africa.

The lines of financing expected from ICD would strengthen the Bank’s capacity and reinforce its intervention in the private sector, particularly for enterprises with substantial development impact in ICD and Afreximbank’s Member States.

The facility from ITFC on the other hand, will provide Compliant Syndicated trade financing line thereby complementing the Bank’s trade finance offerings to its clients. 

As partners of the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Programme, Afreximbank, ITFC and ICD are committed to promoting south-to-south trade among African and Arab countries for a common goal of advancing socio-economic prosperity and building sustainable trade and development across the regions.

The collective support from ITFC and ICD will also allow the Bank to deliver on its continental mandate of fostering industrialization, developing exports and full implementation of the African Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Prof. Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank said: “I take this opportunity to thank Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol and the entire team at ITFC and ICD for the continued partnership with Afreximbank. The arrangements we have entered into today with the two institutions will go a long way in supporting Afreximbank in addressing the funding and structural challenges that stand in the way of Africa’s integration agenda.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media contact:
Vincent Musumba
Media Relations Manager
Email : press@afreximbank.com
Tel : +20 2 24564100 /1/2/3
Mobile : +201030121123

About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance, facilitate and promote intra and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative instruments to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the AfCFTA, Afreximbank has in partnership with the African Union Commission and AFCFTA Secretariat launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement. The AFCFTA Secretariat and the Bank have created a USD 10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries to effectively participate in the AfCFTA.

At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank’s total assets and guarantees stood at US$ 37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$ 6.1 billion. The Bank disbursed more than US$ 104 billion between 2016 and 2023 through various interventions for the advancement of the continent. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure, (together, “the Group”).

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

About ITFC:
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving the socio-economic conditions of the people across the world.

About ICD:
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is a multilateral development financial institution that supports the economic development of its member countries. Based in Jeddah, ICD is a part of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group and was established in November 1999. With an authorized capital of $4 billion, ICD’s shareholders include the IsDB, 56 Islamic countries, and five public financial institutions.

Following the completion of major offshore gas projects, Mozambique will become the fourth largest LNG producer worldwide, with more than 30 million tons brought to market. The country’s inaugural FLNG facility started production in 2022, with the country recording a 6% growth in its GDP the following year. Similarly, Angola – through the Angola LNG project – witnessed a 14% year-on-year growth in LNG exports in 2023.

A CLG-sponsored panel discussion during the second annual Invest in African Energy Forum – organized by Energy Capital&Power -in Paris unpacked the role LNG has played in these markets, with speakers exploring strategies for gas monetization in emerging markets.   

As one of Africa’s newest LNG exporters, Mozambique has rapidly emerged as a highly attractive offshore gas market. The Eni-led Coral Sul FLNG project delivered its first cargo in 2022, setting the stage for the country to become a major player in the global gas market.

“Mozambique has huge potential when it comes to natural resources, and when it comes to gas, this potential is even higher. We operate Coral in Mozambique and it is a clear example of the role of gas. Coral was the first FLNG in ultra-deepwater worldwide. The impact of this project for the country is huge. In 2023, the GPD of the country increased by 6% – half of this growth was related to the sale of gas from Coral,” stated Marica Calebrese, Managing Director, Eni Rovuma Basin.

In addition to the Coral South project, Eni hopes to make FID for the Rovuma LNG project this year. The project monetizes gas from three fields in the Mamba complex in the first phase, with the development of two onshore liquefaction trains enabling the export of LNG.

Meanwhile, Angola plans to utilize gas to supply 25% of its energy needs by 2025, with developments in associated gas production and LNG serving as a catalyst for achieving this goal. Players across the market are implementing strategies to reduce flaring and bolster LNG production. Specifically, Afentra is developing a zero-flaring approach at its recently acquired Block 3/05 in Angola.

According to Ian Cloke, COO of Afentra, “There is a pipeline 5km north of the asset, which goes from the deepwater fields straight to Angola LNG. One of the plans going forward is to gather the gas, compress it and then pump it 5km to the LNG import line. Then you have a way to take an asset that has been flaring a lot and take it to zero flaring.”

For Angolan service providers, the expansion of Angola’s natural gas market means new opportunities for companies regarding contracts, participation and growth. Platforms such as the Association of Service Providers of the Angolan Oil&Gas Industry (AECIPA) facilitate participation by connecting companies to emerging projects across the value chain.

“To support gas monetization, we advocate for policies that would drive the main operators – be it service companies or project operators – to engage using gas and monetize it under the guidance of the Ministry. We also promote collaboration – both cross-country and internal. [Financing] is also a role the association plays, by promoting and bringing financing mechanisms into the country to support development,” stated Bráulio de Brito, Chairman of the Board of AECIPA.

Natural gas stands to support electrification and industrialization in Africa, if the right investment is directed towards domestic infrastructure. Ghana – with 1.7 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves – has a gas processing plant that produces 240,000 tons of LPG and 46,000 tons of condensate in about 15,000 tons of isopentane.

“The gas processing plant in Ghana produces isopentane, and companies are trying to turn that gas into electricity. The challenge faced is investment. Today, companies have the technology to make that happen but it falls down to investment,” stated David Pappoe Jr, CEO of Energas West Africa Limited.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

Building on the core, proven capabilities of previous Colorado models, the key features of the Canon Colorado M-series – its modularity, white ink capability, in-field upgradability and scalable speed configuration – have enabled customers who have installed the printer to substantially expand the range of applications they can offer. With over 700 installations globally since the device launched 12 months ago, Print Service Providers (PSPs) are recognising the value the Colorado M-series with UVgel technology can bring to their business.

Significantly more application options

The Colorado M-series includes a new hassle-free, white ink option, which helps to expand the range of applications users can offer. Using UVgel technology, a unique ‘print-then-cure’ technology with instant-dry gel inks cured with UV LED lights, the M-series delivers prints that eliminate smudging or sticking concerns with sharp details and scratch resistance. The UVgel inks now offer an even wider colour gamut than before and can print bright colours for an array of premium graphics and décor options, from wallpaper to window graphics as well as labels and more specialist applications like car wrapping. With the new white ink addition and the new media detection sensor technology for easy media handling, Colorado M-series users can expand their typical product offering and print on heavy, structured, transparent, coloured, reflective and magnetic materials.

With FLXfinish+ technology, users can print with gloss and matte, separately or at the same time, and without the need for varnish or an extra print channel, making the M-series ideal for printing luxury applications with special effects such as high-end wallpapers.

Customer success

FaberExposize, a printing company based in Amsterdam, was one of the first beta customers for the Colorado M-series to experience the new capabilities the printer brings to produce complex jobs, meaning they no longer have to outsource any printing needs. Richard Meijer, Production Manager at FaberExposize says, “The Colorado M-series has exceeded our expectations in terms of meeting our customers’ demands for 3- and 5-layer printing, printing in white and on magnetic media. The scratch resistance and ink adhesion are top-notch, and we’ve experienced zero nozzle clogging. This printer with UVgel technology truly delivers on its promises.”

One feature of the Colorado M-series that has particularly impressed FaberExposize is its ability to print on magnetic media, which is often used in retail for interchangeable price tags. The fact the printer can handle 0.3mm and 0.5mm magnetic media is, in Meijer’s opinion, “a rare feature” that gives them a competitive advantage.

Norwegian sign and printing company, Sign Production, have also found the Colorado M-series to be the perfect solution for the large volumes of small jobs they now receive. They require a printer that doesn’t compromise on quality, makes it simple for operators to change rolls, is easy to operate and capable of printing at high speed, so they can process a lot of orders throughout the day.

Thomas Fjeldberg CEO at Sign Production says, “One of the key aspects of the Colorado M-series that really sets it apart from the competition is the durability of the UVgel inks – it’s very hard to damage the ink, so you don’t need to use a laminate. For high-value applications like car wrapping, the quality of the print is really important, so it’s great to see how well the Colorado performs. I would say the quality is one of the best aspects of the Colorado M-series as it’s able to meet the expectations of end users who are going to spend a lot of money on these applications.”

Hassle-free white ink offers more possibilities

Zenith Graphics, a company based in Belgium, produces decals for use on buildings, machinery and vehicles. The benefits of the new white ink have become clear as customers can now have white ink applications printed on the Colorado M-series with the same exceptional Colorado results that they expect. With the white ink, they can now also fulfil requests to print on black film and offer a greater image variety as the white ink expands the colour gamut.

Kurt Persoons co-owner at Zenith Graphics comments, “Customers expect very high quality from us, both in terms of the image and the durability of the product we deliver. The Colorado guarantees us a beautiful product with a high quality that will last a very long time. I honestly think that our operators are Canon’s best ambassadors. When we ask them which printer they like to work with, they invariably mention the Colorado.”

Jennifer Kolloczek, Senior Director, Marketing&Innovation, Production Print, Canon EMEA, comments, “Since its launch a year ago, the Colorado M-series has taken the wide-format printer market by storm, with its exceptional quality, reliability and modularity allowing it to scale with customer’s businesses. The  hassle-free UVgel white ink option offers brighter colours on an array of substrates and has vastly opened up the application range addressable by Colorado users – from premium graphics to décor such as wallpaper and window graphics – with the same Colorado quality and finish that our customers expect.”

The Colorado M-series is a scalable wide-format printer with in-field upgradability

Part of the already successful Canon Colorado family, the new Colorado M-series has significant features that provide customers with more choice and allow them to scale the printer as needed with a number of hardware and software options. The M-series offers a choice of output speeds, Colorado M3 or M5 (with maximum print speeds of 111m²/hr and 159m²/hr respectively), with the option to upgrade from one speed to the other either temporarily for production peaks or permanently. Both printers can also be easily upgraded with the white ink option to M3W and M5W models, with FLXfinish+ matte/gloss print technology, double-sided and print-side-in printing as well as a kit for magnetic media.

For more information on the Colorado M-series, visit: https://apo-opa.co/3V3U0bh

For more information on Canon’s UVgel technology, visit: https://apo-opa.co/44HeDhN

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

Media enquiries, please contact: 
Canon Central and North Africa
Mai Youssef
e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com

APO Group – PR Agency
Rania ElRafie
e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com

About Canon Central and North Africa: 
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.
Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.
Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (http://apo-opa.co/3SvVhrS) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.
For more information: Canon-CNA.com