CBE to Purchase Gold through Branches

Branches of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) in Hawassa, Jimma, Mekelle and Assosa have started buying gold from suppliers starting Monday, October 3, 2011. Since the supply of gold is increasing from time to time it is essential to expand the service to main gold producing areas, according to Sinknesh Ejigu, minister of Mines (MoM). In the previous year, seven tonnes of gold was supplied during which the MoM expects to increase to 13 tonnes this year. The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) offers similar service for gold producers in these towns.
 

Farmers Secure 6.6m Br from Rice

Around 12,000 farmers secured 6.6 million Br from sale of 1.3 million quintal rice in Guraferda Wereda, Bench Maji Zone of the Southern Regional State, the Zonal Agriculture and Rural Development Department, said. Farmers harvested the stated amount of rice from 26,000ht of land, according to Demeke Tsegegn the department information and documentation expert. There is a plan to engage about 30,000 farmers in rice development on 52,000ht of land in this year, he said.

Farmers in Guji net 1m Br from Coffee

Pastoralist living in Guji zone Wedera have obtained an over one million Birr in revenues from the sale of coffee. The pastoralist had sold 800 quintals of coffee developed on 274 farms and 737 pastoralists were involved in the production, the wereda pastoral development office said. Some 1.500 pastoralist in the same wereda have also secured over 13 million Br revenue from the sale of 6,800 fattened domestic animals during the last six moths.

Vehicle Owners Given Three Months to Insure

The Insurance Fund Office has instructed all vehicle owners to buy third party insurance from any insurer within three consecutive months. Vehicle owners are required to buy third party insurance, display insurance on labelled sticker on their car and bear a certificate that ensure they got the insurance and the office will strictly enforce the law as of December. Any vehicle owner without the third party would be subjected to serve one to two years imprisonment with a fine of up to 5,000 Br. The office plans to collect 24 million birr from 350,000 vehicles in this year.

Dessie to Transfer 77o Condos to Beneficieries

The Dessie town administration in south Wollo Zone of Amhara is to transfer 770 condos to beneficiaries. The condos which are constructed at a cost of 200 million Br will help in alleviating housing problems in the town, Town Deputy Mayor Ahmede Yimam told ENA.
 

Textile Factories to Benefit from Czech Bilateral Deal

Ethiopia and Czech Republic signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. The MoU would help Ethiopia get development assistant from the Czech government, according to the MoU.  Melkawakena hydro electric power, Kombolcha and Arbaminch Textile factories are among the projects undertaken through the cooperation of the two countries, according to Ahmed Shide state minister for Minister of Finance and Economic Development.

Hararghe to Enrol 100,000 Primary Students

The East Hararghe Zone Education is planning to enrol 98,840 school aged children in this Ethiopian academic year. A committee drawn from educational offices administrative bodies and parents are working jointly to enrol all children under the age of seven, according to Abdurezak Ibrahim, office head. The office had so far managed to enrol 42,221 children including 18,950 girls in primary schools located in 22 weredas of the Zone.