Earlier this month, financial information service Moneyfacts said that there were 470 easy access savings accounts available at the start of August, 73 of which offered introductory bonuses.

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The good supply of raw materials - leather for making shoes - and its good geographic location, allowing easy access to Europe and the rest of Africa, were also factors.

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By 2003, Brand X had about 2000 customers, most of which were on DSL. But the phone companies didn't make it easy to access their networks.

FORBES: The Cable Question