China Loans $25.1m for Scanners

A loan agreement of 25.1 million dollars was signed between Chinese Ambassador in Ethiopia, Gu Xiaojie and Sufian Ahmed, minister of Finance and Economic Development, on May 24, 2010. The loan is to procure electrical inspecting systems and scanners for the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA). The equipment will help the authority scan imported containers and vehicles. The loan will contribute to modernising the working system of the authority, said Sufian.  The Chinese Embassy will further strengthen efforts to enhance existing relations between the two countries, said Ambassador Xiaojie.

Red Fox Hotel's Inauguration in Adama at 10m Br

In Adama Town of the Oromia Regional State, a newly built hotel constructed by an Ethiopian investor at a cost of over 10 million Br was inaugurated on May 21, 2010. The hotel has 34 bedrooms, a bar and a restaurant, among other features. The hotel was inaugurated by Sisay Negash, the town chief,  who announced the hotel’s attraction to tourists in the town. The hotel, constructed to hold 39 guests, is named Red Fox.

Well, Six Health Stations Go Live in Wolayta

In Damot Galle Wereda, Wolayta Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples (SNNP) Regional State, various social service facilities were constructed at a cost of ever 40 million Br and went operational, said the wereda’s administration. Six health stations and a water well are among the facilities that have gone operational and benefited over 100,000 residents of the wereda, said Tesfaye Goa, wereda administrator. The residents have benefited from agriculture, road construction, education, and health sectors over the last couple of years, he said.

Harari, Hararghe Towns to Get Clean Water

Beginning next week, Harari Regional State residents and residents of Aweday, Haremaya, and Adele towns, East Hararghe Zone of the Oromia Regional State will get access to 24 hours of clean water services. The project was launched at a cost of 300 billion Br, and residents will get access to the service when the project goes fully operational. A water pipeline, covering 72km from Dire Dawa to Harar, has already been completed. One of the main goals set by the State Ministry of Water Resources was to enable residents of Harar Town and its surrounding areas to get access to potable water, said Adugna Jebessa, state minister.  

Mekelle Inaugurates 60m Br in Projects

In Mekelle Town, Tigray Regional Sate, various developmental works constructed at a cost of 60 million Br were inaugurated and began operations. The development work included the construction of health facilities, 7.5km of cobblestone work, youth centres, and stadiums. The three health stations will serve 75,000 people in the town. The government will further enhance its efforts to ensure development in the town and its surroundings, said Tsegaye Berhe, the state chief, during the inauguration of the facilities.

Spain Grants $1.5m for Addis, Harar Crafts

A grant agreement amounting to 1.5 million dollars was signed on May 21, 2010, between Spanish Ambassador to Ethiopia Antonio Sanchez Bendito Gaspar and Mekonnen Manyazewal, state minister of Finance and Economic Development. The grant is for the Addis Abeba and Harar craftwork centres. It will be utilised to support craftsmen and enable them to form a comprehensive productive sector, capable of contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development.

Associations Amass 36m Br Capital

During the past six years, employed youth organised into 2,487 associations  and generated over 36 million Br worth of capital in Adama Town, Oromia Regional State. The associations have over 31,000 members who were engaged in construction, wood and metalwork, micro and small scale business and urban agriculture, among others, said Tagay Berhanu, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) agency head. The associations commenced work with an initial capital of less than 200,000 Br six years ago.

Over One Billion Dollars in Exports Show 22.5pc Increase

During the past eight months, Ethiopian exports have brought in over one billion dollars, according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI). This income has shows a 22.5pc growth when compared to last year. Gold, oilseeds, coffee, honey, textiles, leather, and leather products contributed to the increase in export earnings, said Amakele Yimam, director of Corporate Communication for the ministry.

Embassy to Inaugurate Chancery, Residence

The Ethiopian Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan is going to inaugurate a complex built with an outlay of over 80 million Br. The Ethiopian Government decided to create an asset in Sudan by constructing a chancery and embassy residence building, according to Ali Abdo, Ethiopia's ambassador to Sudan. The complex will also undergo a facelift.