Development Agency to Meet for Strengthening of Africa-Indian Ties

The Centre for the Development of Enterprises (CDE), a joint institution of the Group of ACP states (Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific) and the European Union (EU) and founded in the framework of the partnership agreement of Cotonou and financed by the European Development Fund (EDF), is to hold a regional conference for Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean regions. The conference will take place in Addis Abeba at Kings Hotel on February 12 and 14, 2008, coupled with the NOVATECH meeting of PROINVEST which takes place in between.

Privatisation Agency Approves Sale of Bahir Dar Edible Oil Factory

The Privatisation and Public Enterprises Supervising Agency (PPESA) board approved the sale of the-state owned Bahir Dar Edible Oil Factory for 25.3 million Br to a Sudanese company, Ashraf Agro-Industrial Plc. Out of the five state-owned firms that the board made the decision to sell last week, it was only satisfied with the price offered for Bahir Dar edible oil and Adei Abeba Yarn Factories. Wondafrash Assefa, PPESA’s information and public relation head, said that the Agency was satisfied with the 45.6 million Br that a local firm, Welwel Agro-Industry Production SC, offered for the yarn factory but the board disapproved as Welwel’s offer failed to meet with PPESA’s payment scheme.

World Bank Pledges to Increase Aid

The World Bank said that it will provide hundreds of millions of dollars to Ethiopia in loans and aid. Robert Zoellic, president of the Bank, said that Ethiopia has carried out massive reforms that will enable it achieve sustainable development so that the World Bank is determined to help the country in its endeavour to achieve more gains. He said that the aid and loans would be provided in addition to financial aid provided by other aid groups and institutions. He added that the Bank will further stand by the nation so as to enable it meet the MDGs.

Gurage Zone Reports 10,000 Students

More than 10,000 adults and children in Gurage Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State (SNNPRS) are attending non-formal education in the current Ethiopian academic year. The adults and children are attending the education at 128 stations established jointly by the government, NGOs and the public, education programmes and human resources coordinator with the department, Alemu T. Maiam said. Half of the adults and children who are attending education in various woredas of the Zone are female. More than 18,000 adults and children attended non-formal education in the Zone over the past Ethiopian year.

German NGO Commanding 30.8m Br Dev’t Projects in East

Menschen für Menschen said it has launched over 30.8 million Br development projects that help ensure food security in eastern Ethiopia this year. Shemelis Habtu, Babile Integrated Rural Development project deputy manager with the NGO, said that the development works would be executed in Babille, Fedis, Gursum, Haromaya and the environs of Harar. He added that the projects launched last month focus on potable water, agriculture, education, health, family planning, women empowerment and prevention of harmful traditional practices and HIV/AIDS.

Guna Trading Plans 13,000tns Sesame Exports

Guna Trading plans to export 13,000tns of sesame valued at 17 million dollars this Ethiopian fiscal year. Mulualem Berhane, general manager of the company, said Guna Trading has already exported 3.2 million dollars of sesame in the last two months. Ethiopia is expected to get six million dollars additional hard currency from the company’s export compared to that of last year.

Iran to Strengthen African Trade

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that an Iran-Africa meeting will be held in the near future at the level of deputy foreign ministers to economically cooperate. At a press conference held at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) last Saturday, he said that Iran has very good relations with African countries and arrangement for an Iran-Africa summit of all African countries at foreign ministerial level is underway. He made the statement following separate meetings he held with his counterparts of various African countries on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) summit in Addis.

President Opens Trade, Investment Fair

President Girma W. Giorgis said that promoting trade and investment is of paramount importance in strengthening bilateral ties among nations and introducing new technology and creating trade networks. Speaking at the opening of the 1st African Millennium International Trade and Investment Fair at the Millennium Hall, he said that such a Fair is significantly useful to strengthen cultural exchange among countries and peoples apart from building bridges between sellers and buyers as well as promoting experiences.