In another sign that a new Florida condo boom is under way, the Miami Herald last week reported that 45 new condo towers are in various stages of development for the Southeast Florida area, including about 1200 new units in the tiny beach town of Sunny Isles Beach, just north of Miami Beach.

Even more amazing, according to another report from Miami Condo Investments, three Miami projects that launched earlier this year, 1100 Millecento, BrickellHouse and MyBrickell, are already 97 percent sold out. Two of the three projects have not even broken ground yet. 

Electra Mining Africa opens its doors to the world once again this year from Johannesburg on 10 September; and the 2012 show looks set to be the biggest and most exciting ever.

Nigeria’s Red Star Express Group has been gearing up for growth, delivering excellence through a combination of the latest IT and processes, and a truly personal service.

This year, Nigeria’s leading courier and logistics company Red Star Express celebrates its 20th anniversary. During that time it has not only established the Red Star brand in public and corporate awareness but has prepared the company for continuing growth and to support the needs of the burgeoning Nigerian economy.

Nobody’s perfect. What quality or ability do you wish you had?

I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve a little too much. I am very passionate about what we do and always look for constant improvement; and sometimes I wish I could temper that a little more. That said, this is a great time to be innovating and adding value in retail, so we hope some of this passion rubs off on our clients.

What is the best business book you have ever read, and why?

UK transport company FirstGroup has been chosen by the government to operate the InterCity West Coast rail franchise until 2026.

The route links a number of the UK’s major urban areas, including London, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.

Preparations are being made to develop the Songwe River Basin in Kyela, Tanzania.

The African Water Facility (AWF), in partnership with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development—Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), hosted a meeting recently to launch the preparatory phase of the project.

The event was attended by more than 150 people, including local and national government officials from both countries and representatives from the beneficiary communities.

Bluescope and Nippon Steel have formed a $1.4 billion joint venture encompassing BlueScope’s ASEAN and North American building products business.

Australia’s Origin Energy has announced the commencement of drilling at the Mbawa prospect offshore Kenya.

Drilling at the prospect is expected to take about 60 days, which will reach a total depth of 3,250 metres subsea in water depths of 864 metres.

The Mbawa joint venture consists of operator Apache Kenya, which holds a 50 per cent interest; Origin Energy, with 20 per cent; Pancontinental Oil and Gas, with 15 per cent; and Tullow Kenya, which holds 15 per cent.

The drilling is being carried out by Apache on behalf of the joint venture.

A group of mining companies has agreed to work with Canadian National Railways (CN) on a feasibility study into the construction of a proposed rail line and terminal handling facility to serve the Quebec/Labrador iron ore range.

CN customers Cliffs Natural Resources Inc, Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Ltd, New Millennium Iron Corp, Cap-Ex Ventures Ltd, and Alderon Iron Ore Corp have committed to help CN and its partner in the venture La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.