Irish healthcare services provider United Drug has agreed to acquire UK and US clinical services businesses Bilcare Global Clinical Supplies from India-based Bilcare.

The deal, which is worth $61 million, is expected to complete on 31 August 2012. As part of the agreement, Bilcare will retain its clinical supplies business in Asia.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation received an A+ rating from Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) on its 2011 corporate sustainability report, Full Circle, which highlights the company's progress towards its ‘Sustainability 2015’ goals.

GRI is a non-profit organization promoting economic, environmental and social sustainability by providing organizations with a comprehensive sustainability reporting framework which is used by many industries throughout the world.

The African Development Bank has financed a new hospital in Tenkodogo, Burkina Faso.

The new hospital, fully equipped with 200 beds, is valued at an estimated €31 million and was financed entirely by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The project is part of the government’s healthcare support programme in the east-central and northern regions of the country, and will serve people who formerly had to travel up to 160 kilometres for treatment in hospitals in Ouagadougou. 

Canada’s Barrick Gold Corporation has confirmed that it is in discussions with China National Gold Group Corporation regarding the sale of its holding in African Barrick Gold (ABG).

The talks are at a preliminary stage, the company said.

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.