Ethiopia Hosting Nile Day Celebration

The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) announced on February 18, 2008, that Ethiopia is to host the 2008 Nile Day Celebration on Friday February 22, 2008. It is an annual event held under the auspices of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). The celebration will be as much in memory of the historic February 22, 1999, when NBI was adopted. The Ministry said that this year’s the event will be marked here in Ethiopia following the Ethiopian government’s request to host the celebration that will coincide with the Ethiopian-African Millennium Celebration.  

Indian Companies Show Presence in Trade Fair

Indian companies bringing largest contingent to the 12th Addis Chamber International Trade Fair to be held in the capital from 21-27 February 2008. The Indian Embassy said in a statement on February 15, 2008 that the participation of more than 30 Indian companies in the Trade Fair covers software, engineering equipment, leather, machineries, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and the like.

World Bank Provides $100m for Land Management

The World Bank announced that it will provide 100 million dollars for the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) platform launched on February 14, 2008, at the German House. Speaking at a press conference and panel discussion held to introduce the launching of the platform, Kenichi Ohashi (PhD), Country Director of the World Bank, promised the stated amount of money to combat the challenge which has been creating environmental degradation, manifested in the erosion of land, as well as the loss of water resources and biodiversity.

Oil

Indian Karuturi to Enhance Palm Oil Production in Oromia Region

Karuturi Networks Limited, and Indian private company, signed an agreement with the Oromia Regional State to cover 11,000hct of land in Bako area with palm trees that will be used as an input to produce cooking oil. Expanding its investment in Ethiopia, the company says that it will cover the land with palm seed that will be imported from Malaysia in the coming two years. K. Surya Rao, chairman of the company, explained that the investment will create jobs for 40,000 to 50,000 people as the project needs at least five employees on each hectare of land.

The Guardian, February 16, 2008

ERA to Bring 430m Br Roads into Service

The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) announced that the 189Km Butajira-Hossaena and Hossaena-Sodo roads that were under construction at a cost of 430 million Br would be in service soon. According to the public relations service of the Authority, the 95Km Butajira-Hossaena road has been built with over 217.4 million Br and 91.3Km of the road has been finalised. Of the 94Km Hossaena-Sodo road, 85.8Km is completed.

Kaliti Food Complex to Auction Expired Foods

Kaliti Food Complex SC is to sell different kinds of expired biscuits and other food items by auction. According to the tender floated by the company, 2,393qts of expired biscuits and 352qts of expired milk powder, 20qts of cream and 40qts of yeast are provided for auction. Some observers said that though the company was supposed to avoid such items as it will jeopardise the health of the society and it is very concerning witnessing it auctioning the products for the public.

Transport Authority Releases 20pc of 500 New Buses

The Federal Transport Authority handed over the first 100 mid-sized buses to private companies on February 18, 2008 in an effort to curb the transport problem in the country. Abebe Ayalew, the Authority’s transport service organising and dispatching directorate director, said that the government bought 500 buses and handed them over to companies which won the bid according to the set criteria. He said that 500 mid-sized buses can transport 15,000 passengers at a time and 150,000 -200,000 people daily.

Ethiopian to Begin Cargo Flights to Nairobi

Business Daily Africa, a Kenyan Newspaper, reported that the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority has given Ethiopian Airlines a license to fly cargo on the Addis Abeba –Nairobi route. The license is said to pave the way for one of Africa’s most competitive airline to fly cargo between the two cities five times a week. The Airline will use a Boeing 757 plane to service the route. Ethiopian Airlines is among other 30 domestic and international operators that successfully applied for licenses to operate in Kenya.

Ministry Attempts to Raise Water Awareness amidst Dismal Supply

The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) called on stakeholders to exert maximum effort for effective utilisation of groundwater in Ethiopia for it contributes a great share in the socio-economic development of the country. Adugna Jebessa, state minister of water resources, speaking at the “Awareness Creation Workshop on Human Resources and Standardisation Requirement for Groundwater Development in Ethiopia,” said that ground water is an indispensable element for the social and economic development of Ethiopia.

Dutch Contingent Seeks to Strengthen Ties

The Embassy of the Netherlands announced that the Director and Officer in Charge of Ethiopia with the Agency for Business and International Cooperation (EVD) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands are visiting Ethiopia from February 16-28, 2008. During their duty tour, the two officials will meet the press and give briefing on the PSOM, the Dutch Programme for Cooperation with emerging markets, according to the Embassy.