Africa cashes in on new 'silk' routes with Asia

1.  Some of the poorest African countries are reaping the benefits of a new 'Silk Road' to the fast-growing economies of Asia, according to a report from the World Bank published today.

2.  The Silk Road was a 4,000-mile trade route, used from 100BC to carry spices and silks from China to the Mediterranean and on to Rome, and wool, gold and silver to the East.

3.  As the importance of this new south-south trade becomes clearer, the World Bank urges governments on both sides to lower trade barriers and foster new trading partnerships.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,1874081,00.html