Turkey is close to commencing talks with Ethiopia over signing a free trade agreement (FTA), according to Turkish foreign trade minister Zafer Ça─ƒlayan.

Ça─ƒlayan, who is currently in Ethiopia to participate in talks with the Ethiopian government, said that both countries have already agreed on signing a FTA to ease custom difficulties, according to Turkish newspaper Today’s Zaman.

Turkey currently has FTAs with 13 countries, as well as with members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which consists of four non-EU member states.

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has made another increased bid for Riversdale Mining in an effort to convince shareholders to accept its acquisition proposal.

The new bid values the Australian owned coal miner at $4 billion. Rio first offered $3.5 billion last December, before improving the offer slightly later the same month.

The new bid represents an increase from $16 a share to $16.50, but Rio wants more than 50 per cent of shareholders to accept the bid by 23 March.

The New European Economy Awards has named the Eurail Group the best Sustainable Travel Provider 2010, it has been announced.

The awards recognise excellence, achievements and best practice in the international finance and commerce arenas.

Utrecht, Netherlands-based Eurail Group manages and markets the Eurail Pass on behalf of its stakeholders, and aims to educate business and leisure travellers about the advantages of travelling by train in Europe.

The new Miami Rental Car Center (RCC) has become a little safer now that the Miami-Dade Fire Department has taken delivery of a Rosenbauer Airwolf Quick Response Vehicle (QRV), designed to fight fires in structures with parking ramps and garages which traditional fire trucks cannot access because of their size and weight.

Rosenbauer is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fire fighting vehicles; the high-tech QRV, mounted on a Ford F450 crew cab, is able to maneuver inside tight areas of the RCC.

A new study from business services firm PwC finds that private companies in the United States are making talent management a top priority after identifying a shortage of skills in their workforce.

The largest skill gaps identified were in middle management (53 percent) and skilled labor (48 percent).

"Over the past two years, CEOs were focused on cost containment, making deep workforce cuts in anticipation of a protracted recession," says Ken Esch, a partner in PwC's Private Company Services practice.

Det norske has entered into an agreement with Talisman Energy to acquire 10 per cent of the PL438 in the Barents Sea.

The licence contains the Skalle prospect, operated by Lundin Petroleum. Lundin will drill Skalle in June this year, using the Transocean Leader drilling rig.

The deal is set to strengthen Det norske's existing position in the Barents Sea.

Boeing has announced sale agreements with two Asian airlines for a combined total of 43 new aircraft, highlighting the significance of the region for aircraft manufacturers.

Hong Kong Airlines is to buy 38 Boeing aircraft, six 777 Freighters, 30 787-9s and two 787-8 VIP airplanes.

At the same time Air China signed an agreement for the purchase of five 747-8 Intercontinental jetliners. Air China is the first Chinese carrier to contract the passenger version of the new, fuel-efficient 747-8.

Product testing and safety specialist Intertek has announced the acquisition of technical services provider Moody International for £450 million.

Moody provides technical inspection and staffing services, consulting and training, and global management system certification to engineering, procurement & construction companies, energy companies and component manufacturers in the energy sector. The company has 2,500 employees in 60 countries.

Taking on aid projects in third world countries can often mean biting off more than you can chew; but as Alan Swaby learns, enlisting the help of local engineers can help avoid the pitfalls.