Historical Ethio-Djibouti Railway HQs

The nearly 100-year old two-story structure, one of the historical landmarks of Addis Abeba, may soon vanish from sight, if city officials indeed decide it be demolished to give way to a new road that needs to pass through it. The three kilometers road, beginning from Cherkos area, will meet with the Lion of Judah monument, on the left. Find Out More

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Finally, Commodity Exchange Goes Operational

Bringing an end to its extended formation process, the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange (ECX) finally commenced operations last week on March 24. The Ethiopian Grain Trading Enterprise and Seid Yasin Export Plc were pioneers in the trade of white maize, operating as seller and buyer respectively.

Nine Months Export Plan Falls Short of Target

The federal government has once again failed to attain its mark in export in its nine-month performance this budget year. Against its initial target of securing 1.28 Billion Br in proceeds from exports in the first nine months, the government only made one billion Br.

Teddy's Bail Still Hanging in the Balance

The bail right of Ethiopia's sensational singer and song writer, Tewodros Kassahun, will absolutely depend on acceptance of the second alternative objection presented by his defense lawyer, Million Assefa, on April 23, 2008.

Easter with No Butter Due to High Costs

Mehari Assefa, 25, is a butter trader at the Gojam Berenda market in Merkato, the largest open-air market in the continent. Although he was optimistically expecting that the butter business would pick up last week, thereby boosting his income, it did not happen. To his surprise he did not even see the usual congestion in the market on Wednesday April 22. With lines of frustration becoming visible on his face, he was desperately looking for at least a single holiday shopper for the largest Ethiopian Holiday among orthodox Christians, Easter.

AACCSA Reluctant to Foot National Chamber’s Celebration Bill

Disappointment has brewed up at the Addis Abeba Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association over the national chamber’s plan to celebrate the chamber’s 60th anniversary, tentatively scheduled to take place within a month.

Sugar Procurement Tender  Awarded to Singapore Companies

Two Singapore companies have won the 1.1 million quintal sugar procurement tender floated by the Federal government. The Ethiopian Sugar Development Agency (ESDA) has short listed Olam International and Agri Corm, which offered 400 dollars and 395 dollars per tonne respectively, to supply 800,000qts and 30,000qts of sugar in that order.

Akakai Shoe Industrial Zone Gets Title Deeds

The Addis Abeba City Land Development and Administration Lease Board in its meeting on April 18, 2008, has approved a title deed request by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) for the Akaki Shoe Industrial Zone. The ministry on March 11, this year had requested the city administration to grant a title deed to the former Akaki Pump Factory, which is now an industrial zone.

Gates Foundation Encourages Applications for Grants

Bill and Melinda Foundation, the charity organization owned by the family of billionaire Bill Gates, is encouraging applications for grants, for its first round of its Grand Challenges Explorations initiative, the Foundation disclosed on Tuesday, April 22, in a press release sent to Fortune.