Business
China’s 2014 growth in focus as leaders met on reform plans
BEIJING – China’s leaders began mapping out their economic and reform plans for 2014 behind closed doors on Tuesday, and would have drawn confidence from data showing the economy has sustained momentum from a mid-year pick-up into the final quarter.
Even as the government’s 7.5 percent growth target for this year looks increasingly secure, some advisors think it may not issue a specific target for 2014 in order to have more room to pursue reforms intended to lead to more sustainable growth.
The government has repeatedly said it has the appetite to overhaul the world’s second-largest economy, and last month outlined an ambitious agenda for the next decade, but it has also shown a distaste for growth slowing towards 7 percent.
Top government think tanks, which make policy proposals, were still debating whether the growth target should be cut to 7 percent in 2014 from this year’s 7.5 percent as the leadership convened in Beijing for the Central Economic Work Conference.
Zhao Xijun, deputy head of the Finance and Securities Institute at Renmin University in Beijing, said he had proposed to the government that it set a range of 7-7.5 percent, but saw an outside chance that Beijing simply scrapped the target.
“It’s even better not to announce a target, otherwise you strengthen the importance of GDP,” Zhao said, adding that the government could simply stress economic stability for next year.
The annual conference brings together top party leaders, ministers and provincial officials to set economic targets for the year ahead, which will be unveiled in parliament next March, according to government economists familiar with the meetings.
High on the agenda this year is a detailed reform plan for 2014 after the Communist Party last month unveiled sweeping economic and social changes, including relaxing the country’s one-child policy and liberalizing financial markets.
Economists expect priorities to include preparations for freeing up bank deposit rates and experimenting with greater yuan convertibility in a new free-trade zone in Shanghai.
Already this week, new standards have been issued for local officials. Their performance will no longer be based simply on their region’s growth rate, but will include resource and environmental costs, debt levels and work safety.
Promotions will also depend on how officials boost technological innovation, employment, household incomes and social security, the central organization department said.
The overall intention is to restructure China’s economy so it is driven by consumption and services, as is the case in Western economies, rather than by exports and investment.
SPLIT ON TARGET
The push for reform means growth will be slower — something leaders have said they are comfortable with as it will lead to more sustainable growth.
But as a protracted slowdown extended into the first half of 2013 and analysts questioned whether the growth target would be missed, the government stepped in to shore up activity.
That saw growth pick up in the third quarter, and many analysts had expected that to taper into year-end. However, data on Tuesday showed retail sales, industrial output and investment maintaining their annual growth rates in November.
That followed figures showing a strong jump in exports and a run of surveys of factory and service sector activity suggesting the pick-up since mid-year has been sustained.
“The economy is humming along and there is no need for growth upgrades or growth downgrades. They can focus on what they need to focus on, with no need to worry about growth stabilization policies,” said Tim Condon, Asia economist at ING in Singapore.
Last month, Premier Li Keqiang said economic growth of 7.2 percent was needed to keep a lid on unemployment, and on Monday the official China Securities Journal said the government was likely to stick with this year’s 7.5 percent target for 2014.
The State Information Centre and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences have proposed lowering the growth target for 2014, arguing it would help Beijing focus on reforms, but other think tanks, such as China Centre for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), have proposed keeping the current target.
“The difference on growth target remains big,” Wang Jun, senior economist at the CCIEE, told Reuters. As a compromise, the government may consider setting a growth range of 7-7.5 percent for next year, he said.
Government economists also think the government will target 3.5 percent inflation, 13 percent broad money supply growth and 20 percent growth in fixed-asset investment for 2014.
– REUTERS
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals is of the view that deregulation should not be used as a justification for the importation of off-spec petroleum products or the undermining of Nigeria’s national interests.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by Dangote’s Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina.
The counsel came in response to remarks by Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, Robert Dickerman, on the importation and blending of petroleum products, which he framed within the context of a “deregulated commodity market.”
However, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is of the view that his argument for a deregulated market could not obscure the serious implications of his actions, which, it claimed, not only threatened the integrity of Nigeria’s energy sector but also endangered the welfare of its citizens.
While reiterating support for deregulation and industrialisation, the Dangote Refinery emphasised that the support must be grounded in a commitment to the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s economy, while shielding the people from exploitation.
The refinery made it clear that the health and safety of Nigerians should never be compromised in the pursuit of profit.
According to the statement, “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Company has long been an advocate for deregulation and industrialisation in Nigeria, but our support is rooted in a commitment to the sustainable growth of the country’s economy and the protection of its people from any exploitation. Unlike Dickerman’s view, deregulation should not be a licence for the importation and distribution of off-spec products or the subversion of national interests.”
The company also noted that, as an American, Dickerman should be well aware of how his own country protects its industries. It pointed to several recent examples from the United States to underline the point.
For instance, U.S. President Joe Biden recently opposed the sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel, stressing the importance of maintaining strong American steel companies supported by American workers — an example of protectionism that prioritises national economic interests over short-term profit.
Similarly, the U.S. has taken action to restrict the use of Chinese-made cranes in its ports, citing national security concerns. The U.S. has also imposed a 100% tariff on electric vehicles and a 50% duty on medical equipment imported from China, further demonstrating its commitment to safeguarding domestic industries.
The U.S. has also ramped up efforts to boost its own production of computer chips and medical supplies, driven by national security concerns and the need for economic self-sufficiency. Furthermore, during his presidency, George W. Bush used anti-dumping laws to impose tariffs on a range of Chinese goods that were considered to be unfairly priced.
“It is therefore perplexing that Dickerman, with all his experience in the U.S. market, would advocate for the importation and blending of petroleum products to Nigeria under the claim of deregulation and a free market. The fact is that he had deceitfully approached us and pleaded that we extend the pipeline from our refinery to Pinnacle’s tank farms for the purpose of blending our high-quality products with their imported products and selling them to Nigerians. We categorically rejected his request to extend our pipeline to their tank farms for such devious purposes because it would be a betrayal of the Nigerian people’s trust. The health and safety of Nigerians cannot—and should not—be compromised for profit,” the statement added.
The company also raised concerns over Pinnacle Oil’s decision to lease its tank farms to a company without any retail outlets in Nigeria, questioning the strategic intent behind such actions, particularly given that the farms are located just 500 metres from Dangote’s refinery.
It expressed its vigilance regarding the coordinated efforts to undermine the Dangote Refinery, drawing parallels to the fate of refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri.
Consequently, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery called on the government, patriotic Nigerians, and local businesses to remain steadfast in defending the country’s sovereignty and economic independence.
“The choice we face is between fostering industrialisation or allowing Nigeria to remain a dumping ground for inferior products while exporting jobs. For nearly three decades, cartels and their collaborators have sabotaged efforts to develop Nigeria’s refining capacity, keeping the country dependent on imported products. The time has come to end this cycle of exploitation and ensure that Nigeria’s energy sector works for the benefit of its people,” it added.
Reiterating belief that a strong, self-sufficient energy sector is vital for Nigeria’s economic growth, the Dangote Refinery affirmed that it will continue to advocate for policies and practices that protect both industries and the well-being of all Nigerians.
The company also expressed its support for healthy competition that drives innovation and quality, and looked forward to the upcoming commissioning of the four state-owned refineries, as promised by the NNPC Ltd.
“At Dangote Petroleum Refinery, we are committed to ensuring that Nigeria becomes self-reliant in petroleum production, and we welcome competition that drives innovation and quality. However, we will never allow the continued importation and blending of petroleum products, nor the deliberate destruction of our national economy. We believe that a strong, self-sufficient energy sector is vital to Nigeria’s economic growth, and we will continue to advocate for policies and practices that protect our industries and the well-being of all Nigerians.
“We eagerly anticipate the coming on stream of the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries before the end of this year, as promised by the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Mele Kyari. This milestone will not only end all baseless rumours of monopoly but also position Nigeria as a refining hub for petroleum products in Africa,” it concluded.
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and CNL, has expressed commitment to providing a seamless and inclusive experience for all applicants participating in the selection tests for its available job opportunities.
According to the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, at CNL, Olusoga Oduselu, the company strategically achieves this by leveraging reputable organizations and technology.
Biztellers reports that the CNL retained Dragnet Solutions Limited (DSL), a provider of online assessment services with relevant expertise, to administer aptitude tests to candidates for its available job opportunities.
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Olusoga explained that the online assessments allow candidates to participate from various locations to save time and promote inclusivity for candidates who are constrained to participate in physical assessments.
He maintained that this strategy “provides equal opportunities for all candidates, including those with disabilities.”
According to Oduselu, the CNL was aware of some complaints of challenges by some candidates during their scheduled test period. To address these challenges, CNL engaged with DSL and deployed repeat tests for those who complained of technical hitches during the tests and those who could not participate in their scheduled tests.
“All isolated cases of system glitches have been addressed by our consultant, and the transparent, all-inclusive recruitment process continues. The applicants and our various stakeholders have commended this act of goodwill,” he stated.
The CNL’s recruitment process, including assessment, is transparent and fair and provides equal opportunity for all qualified candidates to compete for available job opportunities.
He added that the CNL assures its stakeholders that its recruitment process uses appropriate technology and complies with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
Nigerian comedian and popular skit maker, Chibuike Josh Alfred, known by his stage name Josh2Funny, has shed light on the profitability of the content-creating industry.
In a recent interview with Echo Room, Josh2Funny highlighted the impressive financial potential that content creators can achieve, noting that it is possible for them to comfortably afford multiple luxury cars, including up to four Lamborghini vehicles.
Speaking candidly, Josh2Funny emphasised that content creation has become an extremely lucrative field due to the constant demand for fresh and engaging material. “If you want to buy four Lamborghini from content creation, you can buy it,” he said.
His remarks underscore the significant revenue opportunities available in the digital content landscape.
Josh2Funny explained that the continuous consumption of online content is what drives its profitability. “What do you think we are doing in the content-creating industry? Are we joking? You all are with your phones, when you’re in the bathroom, when you’re [using the restroom], you’re consuming our stuff. It’s like pure water,” he stated.
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The comedian further elaborated that businesses or industries that deliver products consumed on a daily basis often see the most substantial financial returns. Content creation, with its high rate of daily consumption by audiences worldwide, aligns perfectly with this model.
“People are out there, consuming our content every time,” he said, reinforcing the idea that the reach and influence of content creators have never been more extensive.
Josh2Funny’s insights reveal why the content-creating industry has become a lucrative career path for many in Nigeria and around the world. With the continuous growth of social media platforms and the public’s insatiable appetite for entertainment and relatable content, creators are finding new and innovative ways to monetize their craft.
This shift not only highlights the potential for significant financial gain but also showcases the evolving landscape of digital media, where influencers, comedians, and skit makers can turn creativity into a sustainable and highly rewarding business.
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