Over $35m worth Glass Factory Goes Operational

Hansom International Glass Factory, a joint venture between CGO Group Co., Ltd. and China-Africa Development (CAD) Fund started production on May 17, 2009. Established with a total investment of over 35 million dollars, the factory was inaugurated by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia GU Xiaojie. Described as an embodiment of the China-Africa cooperation by Meles, the factory is the first investment project to be funded by the CAD Fund. The factory is erected on 114,607Sqm of land and the machineries installed are all from China. With an annual production capacity of 42,000tn, its main produce are clear and tinted glass sheets, as well as various further-processed glass products.

WB Approves $540m for Basic Services Delivery

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved 540 million dollars in International Development Association (IDA) funding for the Protection of Basic Services (PBS) Program Phase II Project in Ethiopia, the bank announced. The approval of the fund for the PBS Program Phase II Project on May 14, 2009, is a continuation of what was started in 2006. Since 2006, PBS has complemented Ethiopian government resources to improve the decentralized delivery of basic services in five sectors - education, health, agriculture, water and sanitation, and rural roads.  In the second three-year phase, the government of Ethiopia is expected to allocate approximately 700 million dollars equivalent a year, while 12 donor partners, including the IDA, plan to provide an additional 400 million dollars or so a year, according the World Bank.

US Donates $50m worth of Emergency Food Aid

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it has provided an additional 87,900 metric tons of emergency food aid, valued at approximately 50 million dollars, to the joint emergency operation plan in response to the Ethiopian government's January appeal. This emergency food aid will provide a full ration to 1.18 million beneficiaries for four months in 72 woredas in the most severely impacted regions. The new donation, coupled with last month's announcement of 65,410 metric tons of cereals, pulses, vegetable oils and blended food to the World Food Program for approximately two million beneficiaries for two months, brings the total US assistance in response to the 2009 appeal to 100 million dollars, according to USAID officials.

Export Trade Earns Over One Billion Dollars

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) said Ethiopia has earned over one billion dollars from export trade over the past nine months. Information and Public Relations Office head with the Ministry Hailu Abebe said that the sum was obtained from the export of coffee, agricultural products, meat, live animals and cut flowers. Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and the Far East were among the export destinations, while China, the Netherlands, Germany and Saudi Arabia were the major importers of Ethiopia products, he indicated. The sum obtained in the stated period showed an over 1.6 million dollars increase against that of the same period last year.

Amhara, over 40m Br Loans Distributed  

Over 40 million Br has been distributed, in the form of loans, among 4,000 people in Seyadebir Wayu Woreda, North Shoa Zone of Amhara State, Branch Office of the State Credit and Saving Institute said. Office Coordinator Estifanos Shenkute said that beneficiaries received the loans during the past nine months. The coordinator said the fund will be used to purchase agricultural inputs, carry out irrigation development, animal husbandry and fattening, among others. Over 3,000 of the beneficiaries are female, he said.

Addis Credit Institute Provides 170m Br Loans

The Addis Credit and Savings Institution (ACSI) has announced that it has provided over 170 million Br to people engaged in micro and small-scale business. ACSI General Manager Awash Abetaw said that the institution has provided the stated sum loan to close to 24,000 beneficiaries over the past nine months. Some 57pc of the beneficiaries of the loan service are female, the general manager said. The institution has conducted an assessment to learn whether the beneficiaries used the money for the intended purpose.

Addis Ketema District Secures 218m Br Revenue

The Addis Ketema District has collected 218 million Br revenue over the last nine months. The district office said that the sum collected during the reported period exceeds that of last year by 20 million Br. The increase is attributed to the additional revenue secured from the sale of condominium houses, according to the district administration.

SNNPRS, Hossaena Transfers over 600 Condos to Beneficiaries

More than 600 condominium houses constructed in Hossaena Town of SNNPRS at a cost of 50 million Br are being transferred to beneficiaries, the Town Housing Project Development Office said. Office Head Tigistu Lija said that the construction of the 640 houses has already been completed. The office has already transferred some 300 houses. Over 1,000 youth have participated in the construction of the houses, he said. Preparation is also underway to construct an additional 360 condominium houses at a cost of 30 million Br.