Dr Phat Whalet and Mr Bao Tsin Shek

From our economic correspondent in Mjuba 

In a press release today, the Mbote Minister of Finance, Dr Phat Whalet, announced a lucrative bilateral trade deal with China. The reciprocal deal was signed at the Chinese consulate in Mpongoville earlier today by the Chinese ambassador, Mr Bao Tsin Shek, and by Dr Whalet on behalf of President For Life, General Papi Mpongo. The terms of the deal are as yet unspecified, although a spokesman for the government has confirmed that it involves the export of scrap metal in exchange for financial investment, technical advice and tracked machinery for the Mbote agricultural sector.