Monthly Archives: June 2024

The Central African Republic, a landlocked nation at the heart of the continent, is one of the least visited countries for residents of the Tampa Bay area.  Despite its vast natural resources, the country is one of the poorest and most fragile countries in the world.  It also ranks as the unhealthiest, the worst country for children, and among the bottom 10 for education and hunger. “It’s never a good sign when you land in a country and the first thing you see are planes from the United Nations, World Food Programme or Médecins Sans Frontiers {Doctors without Borders},” the travel blog Road to 197 reported in 2024 (https://www.roadto197.com/2024/01/14/trip-report-central-african-republic/). “In such situations you realize that things are not good in the country, that the country has serious issues….”

Known as French Equatorial Africa during the European colonial period, the Central African Republic (CAR) attained independence in 1960.  Ruled for 15 years by brutal dictator Jean-Bedel Bokassa, the country has since endured decades of civil war, corruption, and human rights abuses. “Do not travel to the Central African Republic (CAR),” the U.S. State Department warns, citing violent crimes, kidnappings, and armed rebels. “Although there have been no specific incidents of violence or threats targeting U.S. citizens, civil unrest, demonstrations, and election-related violence (including renewed outbreaks of armed conflict) may occur throughout the country.” (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/central-african-republic-travel-advisory.html)  More than 15,000 UN peacekeepers were in the CAR during 2024.

Birmingham, the second largest city in Alabama and center of the state’s most populous metropolitan area, continues to boost its economic growth through foreign investment.  While some 196,000 people live in the city, more than 1.3 million live in the 10-county Greater Birmingham region (or Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan statistical area).  Major industries include automotive; finance and insurance; information technology and analytical instruments; and metals and machinery manufacturing.  Alabama’s two Fortune 500 companies are based in Birmingham: Regions Financial and Vulcan Materials, the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates.  Other top area employers include Honda, Mercedes-Benz, BBVA Compass (digital banking), and EBSCO Industries.  Interstates 20, 59, and 65 intersect in Birmingham, providing access to ports on the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as East Coast and Midwestern markets.

In Birmingham as well as the state of Alabama, Japan is the second largest source of foreign investment, pouring more $10 billion into the state since 1999.  Automotive manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, and Topre invested $95 million in 2023 alone, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce.  Almost 90 Japanese companies have a presence in Alabama, with the Birmingham Business Alliance stating 22 of those are located are located in “The Magic City.” In 2014, Dai-ichi Life of Japan acquired Birmingham’s Protective Life for $5.7 billion, marking the largest acquisition by a Japanese insurer.  Other Japanese companies in Greater Birmingham include Hayashi Telempu (HTNA), Unipres, and Yorozu Automotive.  Overall, the Birmingham area is a major contributor to Alabama’s $1 billion in annual exports, with aircraft parts, gas engine turbines, computer systems, and firearms leading the city’s exports.

Residents of the Atlanta area looking for lush island beaches, rich cultural attractions, and a relaxed cosmopolitan lifestyle are increasingly drawn to the Kingdom of Bahrain.  An archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain is located between the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Middle East.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has been a constitutional monarchy since 2002.  Originally the center of the ancient Dilmun civilization, Bahrain has been ruled by Arabs; became part of the Portuguese Empire; and was a protectorate of Great Britain for almost a century before gaining independence 1971.  The country has been famous since ancient times for its pearl fisheries and seagoing trade routes.  In 1932, Bahrain became the first Persian Gulf country to discover petroleum, transforming the country into one of the wealthiest nations in the world.  Its strategic position in the Persian Gulf accounts for the U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) station there.

The number of foreign visitors visiting Kenya has grown to more than 1.5 million people each year, with citizens of the United States helping propel that surge.  Some 220,000 Americans visit Kenya each year – more than those from any other country.  Residents of the Porland area visit Kenya for African vacations, to pursue business opportunities, to visit family, or to participate in volunteer activities through non-profits and church groups.

From Indian Ocean beach holidays to inland wildlife safaris, the Republic of Kenya saw tourism surge by more than 80 percent in the post-COVID era. “Kenya is a dream travel destination for its abundant wildlife, spectacular beaches, outdoor adventure, culture, and cuisine,” AFAR magazine reported recently. “The country boasts 22 national parks, as well as 28 national reserves, five national sanctuaries, and dozens of community-run conservancies.”