This transaction creates the preeminent global food and consumer goods company. Together we will have a portfolio of powerful worldwide and regional brands, with strong growth prospects.

Africa is poor because Africa hasn't grown. And it can only grow when it is allowed to trade freely and openly and fairly. That means these trade distorting subsidies must be removed by 2010, but we are nowhere near that.

I'm very optimistic about what can come out of this, provided we enter it with the right spirit.