Brasil. Can art save Uruguay's gem mines? A Uruguayan mining company is turning to art to beat the effects of the global economic slowdown on its amethyst exports.
The company has commissioned artists to create sculptures and other objects using the semi-precious stones to add value to its sales. It hopes to stimulate demand which has been weakened by the economic crisis in key markets such as the US, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and India. Uruguay, which is one of the world's main producers of amethysts, exports on average $4m (£2.8m) worth of the stones each year. Although it is not a large amount, it still puts Uruguay among the biggest amethyst producers, which also include Brazil and Russia. China's Hu grants aid to Tanzania. China's President Hu Jintao has granted $22m (£15m) in aid to Tanzania as he continues his tour of Africa.
Tanzania is one of the largest African recipients of Chinese aid and bilateral trade rose by nearly 50% in 2007. Mr Hu has visited Mali and Senegal and will end his tour in Mauritius.