UK minister: Fair trade will do more for Africa than aid

U.K. African Affairs Minister David Triesman believes fair trade is better than aid increase in helping Africa reach its poverty reduction targets. In his video message to the Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg, Triesman said "all these (G8 efforts) will do only a fraction of what fair trade will do." He likewise affirmed Britain?s backing to the $110 billion annual investment plan proposed by the New Partnership for Africa's Development. The plan has a deficit of over $40 billion and the British minister suggested that the G8 aid commitments could cover the funding gap. (Source: Britain says Africa must press for trade deal/Reuters)