US Annual Aid to Ethiopia Rises to $500m

The annual assistance the United States (US) provides to Ethiopia has reached 500 million dollars, Henerietta H. Fore, director of US Foreign Assistance and USAID administrator, disclosed. Fore expressed satisfaction with the development brought about by American foreign aid in Ethiopia and conferred with various pertinent bodies during her two-day stay in Ethiopia.

Development Ass'n Plans 70m Br in Dev’t Projects

South Ethiopia People's Development Association announced that it will undertake various development projects in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’  Regional State (SNNPRS) worth 70 million Br over the next five years. Kiyag Kusai, chief of the Association, said the projects will be primarily focused on education, relief and HIV/Aids prevention trainings.

Al-Amoudi Seeks Swedish Drilling Rights

Sheik Mohammed Al-Amoudi's Swedish oil company has applied for permission to the Sweedish government to drill oil in the Baltic Sea bed. Oljeprospekteving AB, a subsidiary of Al-Amoudi's Svenska Petroleum Exploration, requested the drilling rights. The company is expecting a reply from the country's trade ministry.

Oromia Union Earns over $3.2m

The Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union says it has earned 3.2 million dollars from selling coffee during last quarter. Dessalegn Tena, deputy general manager of the Union, attributed the performance to the government. The Union was established in June 1999 by 35 coffee cooperatives representing 102,395 households.

World Bank Allocates $215m to Basic Services

The World Bank allocated 215 million dollars for the coming year for protection of basic services (PBS) in Ethiopia, Sybille Schemidt, African consultant of the Bank, disclosed. PBS is a programme to co-finance service delivery in partnership with the government to help secure spending on health, education and agricultural extension services.

Ethiopia Trade Deficit Reaches 34.6b Br

Ethiopia's trade deficit rose to 34.6 billion Br last year contributing to inflation, sources announced. The rising deficit is being caused by an increase in the import of investment materials and soaring in oil price, ABBI reported. Though the volume of exports has also grown, it has not kept pace with imports.

Emirates Airlines Sponsors Golf Tournament

Dubai-based Emirates Airlines spent more than 10,000 dollars to cover the expenses of a golf tournament held in Addis Abeba, according to Sudhir Sreedharan, head of marketing. The tournament was organised by the Addis Golf Association and held at the Addis Abeba Golf Club.

Guests to Taste Italian Wines

In an event organised by the Italian Embassy, Italian wines will be tasted by invited guests at the Hilton Addis on Tuesday, December 4. Six Italian wine firms and local wine importer Novis Plc will offer their products to the guests. Representatives of two wine producers will hold a similar event in Kempinski Palace in Djibouti on December 5.

UN Humanitarian Chief Concludes Visit to Ethiopia

John Holmes, United Nations (UN) coordinator for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief, concluded his official visit to Ethiopia. He met with government officials, including the Prime Minister and held talks with representatives of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). After visiting Jijiga and Kebredehar in the Somali Regional State, he expressed concerns about the aid community on the ground there, and told the Ethiopian government that a humanitarian crisis could be averted if steps are taken soon.

ETC Allocates 100m Br for Call Centre

Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) made vendor financing with ZTE, a Chinese company to construct a 'next generation call centre' which serves 15 million customers. The centre will provide free information services by e-mail, Web, fax and chat services in English, Amharic, Oromifa and Tigrigna languages. ETC has allocated 100 million Br for the project to be finalised in a year.

EEPCo Signs 142m Br Wire Replacement, Pole Deal

The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) signed a 142 million Br agreement with SABA Engineering Plc and Kabew Construction Company to replace the copper wire input transformer line with insulated wires and supply poles on November 24. An electric expert told ABBI, the non-insulated wires can cause accidents. The World Bank will cover the project costs through a loan.

Starbucks to Open Farmer Support Centre

Six months after Starbucks, the United States (US) giant coffee franchise, made a deal with the Ethiopian government to end the long-brewing trademark dispute, Howard Schultz, its chairman, announced last Wednesday that the company would build a Farmer Support Centre next year in Ethiopia. In a joint press conference Mr. Schultz gave with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, he stated that the construction of the facility, the first in Africa, would show Starbucks' enthusiasm and respect for the Ethiopian coffee growers.