Stan Chart appoints
In an effort to boost its SME division, Standard Chartered bank announced that it would appoint  a SME relationship manager and head of credit to assist in the management of SME business and advise on credit risk management.

Energy deal
Government has approved a tender for the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources to extend an agreement with Team Delphons International for the transitional support for the Mmamabula Energy Project for a two-year period.

BLIH grows
The number of Botswana Life Insurance policy holders has increased from one in 1975 when the company was established to over 300 000 today, records show. BLIH has attributed the impressive record to its satisfactory service they provide to clients.

Japan hits bump
Japan’s economy hit a bump in May, as industrial output fell on lower production of autos and other goods for export, underscoring the country’s vulnerability to any further slowdown in overseas demand.

Germany’s upswing
Germany’s economy is on a sustainable recovery track and unemployment will fall below three million this year, German economics minister, Rainer Bruederle, said Wednesday.

BoE ease stimulus
Bank of England said Wednesday it could either ease policy further in coming months or reduce its stimulus somewhat, depending on how conditions evolve, but that the debate isn’t about “applying the brakes.”

Recovery in sight
The Obama administration says the U.S. economy continues to recover from a deep recession and is less vulnerable to any future financial crisis.
Sources: WSJ, Reuters and Financial Times. Additional reporting by Botswana Guardian