Made for minds. Can europe finally agree on a common coronavirus Recovery Plan . Even leaders are taking another crack at the 1. 00 trillion euro plan that would help the likes of italy and spain. But its foundering on the objections of other nations. Also on the show, to look at the difficulties of african nations to piece together their own recovery funds. And talk to one advocate of a very particular approach to post covert investment and deal or no deal. Times running out for brussels and london to ensure smooth trade come january the 1st alcove. It has complicating the negotiations. Glowing welcome to the show. Im stephen beardsley. In berlin, its good to have us. Yes, you heads of state and government are meeting today to discuss their pen democrat spawns, an unprecedented aid packages on the table. But the Strings Attached have some Member States balking, and that could spell trouble for other Member States in need of the capital. Well, others still are better set up to fund their own relief efforts. Restaurants, gyms, theaters, some of the latest businesses eligible for german state aid. Since the start of november, the government has ordered places of social gatherings shot trying to reign independent. State aid to firms and entrepreneurs is likely to add up to 40 percent of german Gross Domestic Product from last year. Cutting germanys debt to g. D. P. Ratio in recent years from 80 to 60 percent is paying off. This now gives us the chance to take on debt, sad about a favorable Interest Rate of negative interest. And so that gives us the leeway to actually give generous the cost of companies to a lot who are affected by the prices. Its not only individual countries forking out financial support. The block as a whole has also pledged a record 750000000000 euro relief fund. But poland and hungary are vetoing the funding over its links to rule of law in new countries. It was such a positive signal that the members agreed on this. And if youre not making a baby, somethings wrong, it really is a bad sign that you project as a whole. And so this makes me feel right. And so i would very much hope that people call themselves together and actually make this happen. Experts are calling for structural change within the block to overcome this kind of impasse. So look there at how European Countries are approaching recovery funding. What about african countries . Thats also complicated. The International Monetary fund anticipates g. D. P. Current per capita in africa in Subsaharan Africa rather to shrink by an average of 5 point one percent across the region in 2020. Thats pretty significant. However, the resources to provide relief arent always on hands. Now according to the overseas development institute, as of mid august, the economic stimulus in 23. 00 of the 49. 00 Subsaharan African countries amounted to a meager 3. 4 percent of g. D. P. As compared to plans from g. 20 nations, which amounted to roughly 27 percent of their g. D. P. And there we see it there. The question now what to do with those limited resources for african countries . A one think tank focused on clean energy. The Rocky Mountain institute argues the country should focus on Energy Related projects. And the authors of a recent paper say that doing so would create new jobs here, industries that need reliable electricity, and have spillover effects and other parts of the economy. And joining me now is one of the authors of that paper, francis lesia. He joins me from his excuse me, francis, welcome to the show. I 1st got to ask you we just showed in the video wall that many of these countries have a problem securing the resources for what we would consider large scale stimulus plans. Why should they divert that money to Energy Projects . Thank you for having me, steve. And we have spent a lot of time working with a lot of partners on the continent as the Rocky Mountain institute. I dont own for profit. We have that focus on what was already a priority prior to that, and then me, which is basically energy access. It would not be diverting the resources, say, i would rather mention it as an unfortunate t. To leverage the friend the few night resource. The countries have and to say, synergies, weve got to sectors because theyre atsic those that type of diocletian correctly such as agriculture that would largely benefit from a joint investment in the energy sector. And that is really what we are. Ok to pull. We are making the case of the Rocky Mountain news that the coach trees can see. Mcmanus lee invest wealthy energy and artists and reap the benefits of such an approach. But these projects that would fall under your plans that would still be capital intensive, will be fine investment for that, for many of these countries who are already laden with debt. For example. Thats absolutely correct. They are competent tenses, but lets not forget here that they also provide long term benefits. We are talking about investment that on the one just for me to gauge a, not the current impact of and then make but that can range benefit and continue to that look and weight over the years and kate, so thats one thing to, to keep in mind as we are discussing about the recovery, what your pocket can do as a specific only your questions to potential approaches on the table. We do consider that it is the time for a lot of african countries, too much investment from International Partners with look, opines that makes the violence because there is that willingness from private sector knows to getting all into the recovery faces at me specific on the local banks, that means a lot of foundation and that means in fact, investing and establishing a road to acquire the nation. Why should it build back better to carve out our own pathway to have to ask you, what has been the response to your paper so far . Have you heard from any stakeholders in these countries that youve been looking at . Thats an excellent question. Yes, we have. We have been contacted by nigerian banks, for instance, that were really interested in one of the projects we will lead to the pandemic, actually in the community named michael okeefe, southeast of nigeria, where we work jointly. We look around, weve the utility yet, which the i would say disco utility to actually be materialized. What we are discussing now is a way or recall tree where we were in a position to supply the community 247 as opposed to the time prior to that. And any where power supply was ready and stable and reliable. And now they have that access, 24. 00 sevenths. And that also means that businesses are still running, have still been running during their and then me. And that resilience is now ready, tangible concerns about food security. Growing ignored it and being such as it should be, for instance, to, to mention one. Those concerned in that specific community of coffee have not been much, much of a concern because they were able to transform locally in writing emails have musically and process and look closely that enabled them to empower themselves really. Thats what we are talking about. Her bank reached out rooting for the Rocky Mountain institute. I support to create a portfolio of Clean Energy Assets in which hes best. Earlier there is that winning, thats once again the call that and you have to leave it there for now. Francis licia with the Rocky Mountain institute. Thank you very much. Thank you for having me, steve. And lets look at some of the other Global Business stories making headlines. B. M. W. Has announced it will in production of gasoline and diesel powered cars at its main facility in munich. The german carmaker plans to invest some 400000000 euros there to shift production to electric vehicles and power trains. Beginning in 2026 will still continue producing combustion engines in austria and britain. The gap between the rich and poor in germany has widened during the coronavirus pandemic. A new study shows low income households have been hit especially hard. Thats because virus restrictions have targeted the Restaurant Hotel and cultural such as predominately where pay is generally low. The impact on higher earners has been far smaller over germany for German Company to syncrude. Things apparently need to become much worse before they can get better. Again. The troubled industrial conglomerate posting a record net loss of 9500000000 euros in its latest fiscal year. The Global Economic downturn in the wake of the pandemic worsen the situation in the companys already ailing. Still business unions are demanding government aid to support the division. Meanwhile, to some Group Announced plans to slash additional jobs in the thousands for another issue occupying Global Markets these days. Of course, braggs it in time is running out for a trade deal between london and brussels. The pen demick is not helping both sides called off talks thursday after negotiating tested positive for cocaine, 19, a deal needs to be done before years in different knots and he companies are bracing for chaos. These goods have to have arrive on time. Otherwise, this transport company will lease customers. Thats like 20 fully loaded trucks leave from this debt plan in southeast england, every day they deliver to france, italy and spain, among others. But starting in january, the chaos begins for our company was going to be its going to be pretty bad, obviously, because most of our tip it is going to be over europe obviously is going to delay all our operations and is going to cost a vast amount of money, a trade deal or a hard break, sit with high customs duties. No 1. 00 knows what will happen after the transition period. Lorenzo is doing all he can to prepare his drivers, but he feels ignored by politicians. To make custom clearance these permits and everything else, they should have one or 2 companies on the trial period of 6 months and see works. The company can see where all its trucks are from the control room. The green they see now will soon turn red. After breaks it on the 1st of january, theres going to be lots of chaos around this part of europe. On our part of our focus right here next to the highway. The government is building a customs clearance facility, measuring more than 100000 square meters. Hundreds of trucks will be processed at this site every day, but britain is bricks, it preparations still have a long way to go with just 7 weeks before the transition period. And its still not clear how things will proceed from january the 1st. Keeping trade flowing smoothly will prove that doing ask as of for me and the Business Team here to check us out online. Dot com slash business. Lets watch today. Dont miss our highlights. Program. W dot com highlights this for me is for the folks throughout the fate. Just as for the beethoven, the destroyer costs is for economy 202250th anniversary. Here on this is the da produced a show coming up today. And id witness accounts of the nightmare of unfolding, trying to oust 3 year directors from taps. One thing that i cant stand telling a very young girl she got raped a lot. Stung to think through it so i dont know what she sold during her incarceration in true joins vamps