Ethiopia to Develop National Soil Fertility Map

Tuesday, 29 November 2011 Ethiopian ministries of Mine, Agriculture and Industry are conducting a study to develop a national soil fertility map in collaboration with the Agriculture Transformation Agency.

Owners, players save NBA season

Owners, players save NBA season

Ethiopian Electric to Begin Wind and Geo Thermal Power Projects

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation is to construct six wind power and one Geo Thermal Power Plant this fiscal year. The alternative power generating projects are expected to have the capacity to generate 1,015 Mega Watts. The wind power projects are Adama II Wind Power Project (153 MW),  Assela Wind Power Project, (100MW),  Ayisha Wind Farm (300MW), Debre Berhan Wind Farm (100MW), Galema I Wind Power Project (250 MW) and the Mosebo Harena Wind Farm (42 MW).

Ethiopian Ministry Bans 16 Coffee Exporters

Tuesday, 22 November 2011 The Ethiopian Ministry of trade banned 16 coffee exporters from trading on the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) this month. The exporters were banned for failing to have their stock audited by the ministry.  
The banned traders are said to include some known for high volumes of trade on the exchange according to MOT officials.

Ethiopian Mapping Agency Invites Bids for Aerial Photography

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 The Ethiopian Mapping Agency put out an invitation for companies interested in conducting aerial photography in digital format and photo-grammetric processing last week. The tender will remain open until the 15th of December.

The invitation includes aerial photography of 23 major urban areas including Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and regional states in an effort to prepare a national cadastral map.

Ethiopia To Ban Plastic Bags

Ethiopia announced on Monday that it was banning the importation of plastic bags as part of the country's green growth initiatives. The country also launched a series of geo thermal, wind and hydro power projects.


ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER MELES ZENAWI HAS CALLED FOR DISCUSSIONS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO BE SPEEDED UP/PHOTO/REUTERS
11-23-2011-The Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority confirmed that parliament had approved a bill to ban the importation of plastic bags into the country.
The initiatives, announced ahead of the climate change summit in Durban, South Africa follow Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's call for discussions on sustainable development to be speeded up.
Meles who has been elected twice by the African Union Commission as Africa's spokesperson on climate change negotiations said it was high time Africa focused on a green economy.
"Now, implementing this decision has started, which means plastic bags will no longer be imported and manufactured in the country," said the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority.electricity,
Ethiopia is among the first countries in Africa to take such measures to prevent the adverse effects of environmental degradation, as plastic bags are not easily degradable.
Environmental activists welcomed the decision, saying that it will play a significant role in keeping the environment clean and safe.
The ban is a good decision but we need to have an alternative
"The decision is good, especially if it is going to be implemented accordingly," said Solomon Metaferia. He said that there should be a strong monitoring method to make the law a reality and meaningful.
Environmental activists say that tens of millions plastic bags imported into the country annually adversely impact the food chain as some livestock tend to consume them.
But some argue that while the safety measure outweighs the practical side of the use of plastic bags, there needs to an be alternative.
"I use these plastic bags for shopping and to carry different things around, mainly because they are a lot cheaper and easy to handle," says Mengistu Mesfin, a resident of Addis Ababa, the capital.
"The ban is a good decision but we need to have an alternative. I wonder if there is one" Mesfin added.
Environmental activists on the other hand do not believe the government's move is enough to prevent unsafe practices. They want the government and concerned bodies to educate the public about the dangers of using plastic bags for the environment.
"We need to educate the public beyond implementing such a law. We have so many plastic bags in each of our houses, which might take years to clear," said Selamawit Lakewe, an environmental activist.
However, a number of Ethiopians interviewed by The Africa Report were not aware of the new law.
Early this week, the Horn of Africa country launched six wind power projects and one Geo Thermal Power plant with an electricity capacity of 1,015 megawatts as part of its move to become Africa's top green power exporter.
It is also undertaking a multi-billion 5,250 MW capacity hydro power project over the Nile River as part of a move to supply power.(Aricanreport.com)

Ethiopia a model for a healthcare leadership

11-23-2011-Despite extensive poverty and limited resources, Ethiopia has made impressive strides in improving its health care system and can serve as a model for other countries seeking to make similar gains, a new paper by Yale researchers suggests.
Ethiopian Health Minister Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Ethiopia to Join International Renewable Energy Agency

Bill to ratify the establishment of the International Renewable Energy Agency was tabled before the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives.

The bill has been sent to the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Affairs Standing Committee for further review.

Ethiopia will benefit from becoming a member of IRENA said Wendimu Gezahegn, deputy government whip. Advantages of membership include

Taiwanese Businesses to Visit Ethiopia

Ethiopia..11-17-2011-A Taiwanese business delegation made up of forty representatives from 29 firms will begin a visit to Ethiopian on the 24th of November. The Taiwanese businesses are primarily interested in the garment and clothing manufacture sector.

Ethiopia to Setup Four New Dry Ports

Ethiopia is planning to set up four new dry ports in Dire Dawa, Mekelle, Moyale and Woreta. The new ports are expected to enhance trade relations with neighboring countries said Ashebir Nota public relations head of the Ethiopian Dry Port Services Enterprise.

Feasibility studies have been finalized and construction on the ports is expected to commence soon.

Woreta dry port, will serve the Sudan area and Port Sudan. Ethiopia primarily exports sesame to South and North Sudan.

Moyale Dry port on the Kenyan border will serve the trade between Ethiopia and Kenya potentially enhancing the export of dairy and meat products.

Mekelle Dry Port is expected to boost access to materials for the construction industry and assist sesame exports to Djibouti from Southern Tigray.

Dire Dawa is the site of the fourth dry port due to the volume of import and export trade in the area. The port will be used to facilitate the export of goods to Somali-land and Ports Djibouti and Berbera.

In related news the Ethiopian Dry Port Services Enterprise has announced that Modjo and Semera dry ports are half way complete. The enterprise plans to enhance its customer service, transparency, delivery and implementation capabilities.

Ethiopian Ministry to Sign Agreement with South West

Ethiopia 11-16-2011 A Hong Kong based Ethiopian company, South West Energy, is to sign a petroleum production sharing agreement with the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines. The Ministry is prepared to sign the agreement upon

Ethiopia celebrates the Global Entrepreneurship Week

Ethiopia. 11-16-2011..Ethiopia celebrates the Global Entrepreneurship Week from the 14th to the 20th of November. The event will afford young entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop creativity and form networks according to Michael Fekade Chief Executive Officer

736 million Birr pledged by agriculture and manufacturing industries for Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Addis Ababa, Sunday, 13 November 2011 Investors operating in the sectors of agriculture and manufacturing industries have pledged saving bond purchase of over 736 million Birr for the construction of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Ethiopia has more than halved its child mortality rates since 1990

ADDIS ABABA 11-11-2011 (Reuters) - Ethiopia has more than halved its child mortality rates since 1990 through campaigns to increase the number of health workers and clinics throughout the country, government and aid officials said on Friday.

Ethiopian Chamber Launches Trade Fair

Friday, 11 November 2011 The fourth Ethio-Chamber Trade Fair opened in Addis Ababa under the theme of ‘Buy Ethiopia.’ The fair is expected to forge strong links between business actors as well as promoting goods and services said Mekonnen Manyazewal Minister of Industry.The fair is an opportunity for knowledge transfer resulting in increased business confidence in participants he said opening the fair.

Ethiopia to Export Technology by 2025

Friday, 11 November 2011 Ethiopia is seeking the capacity to export technology by the year 2025 according to the Ministry of Science and Technology. The ministry made the announcement at the event marking the 2011 World Science Day.

The country is committed to encourage the application of science and technology as a means to assure equality among all sections of society to enhance sustainable public participation said a representative of Dassie Dalkie Minister of Science and Technology.

The Eastern African Fine Coffees Association to hold Exhibition in Ethiopia

Ethiopia, November 10, 2011-Monday, The Eastern African Fine Coffees Association announced plans to hold the 9th edition of the African Fine Coffee Conference and Exhibition in Ethiopia. The conference and exhibition will be held in Addis Ababa from the 16th to the 18th of February next year.

1.6 billion birr in tax from Addis Ababa in the first quarter

Ethiopia, November 10, 2011-The Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA) announced that it has raised 1.6 billion birr in tax from Addis Ababa, in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The money collected is double that of the same period last year.
Revenue raised from municipal services increased the revenue from the capital city to 1.75 billion birr, making up 30% of the sum the tax authority plans to raise this fiscal year.

The Ethiopian cabinet has approved a 60 million dollar for the construction of the Meskel Square-Bole Airport road

Ethiopia, November 10, 2011-The Ethiopian Council of Ministers has approved a 60 million dollar loan for the construction of the Meskel Square-Bole Airport road. The 20 year loan made by China Export Import (EXIM) bank is pending approval by the parliament.

The Addis Ababa City Roads Authority is preparing for the construction anticipated to start immediately after approval.

Ethiopian entrepreneur women was honored

Ethiopia, November 10, 2011-Ethiopian woman entrepreneur, Samrawit Moges, was honored, as one of a 100 women from across the globe, with inspirational achievements. The award, organized by The International Alliance for Women, was held in Washington DC on the 27th of October.

“We have been inspired and humbled by the stories of people like you who, often without fanfare, have taken action to support women’s economic empowerment and advancement in society and business” read the letter of award to Samrawit.

Ethio-German Konnect (EGK), a forum and networking event,

Ethiopia, November 10, 2011-Ethio-German Konnect (EGK), a forum and networking event, was opened on Wednesday. The business forum is expected to create business opportunities for Ethiopian and German entrepreneurs.

The three day event will present various elements of Ethio-German business relations including private sector development partnership, investments and joint ventures.

Ethiopia signed an agreement with Kenya to collaborate in the construction of the Addis Ababa-Nairobi-Mombassa road

Ethiopia November 10, 2011-Ethiopia signed an agreement with Kenya to collaborate in the construction of the Addis Ababa-Nairobi-Mombassa road. The 743 million Us dollar project was signed this week by Diriba Kuma, Ethiopian Minister of Transport and Amos Kimunya representing the Kenyan government. The road construction will be financed by a loan from the African Development Bank.

Bank of Ethiopia has earned 71.4 million birr in the first quarter

Ethiopia-November 10, 2011-The Development Bank of Ethiopia has earned 71.4 million birr in the first quarter of the fiscal year. The profit earned by the bank is 52% more than what it earned in the same period last year but 2 million birr less than its target.

The Development Bank also exceeded its target for loan approvals by approximately 1 billion birr in the last quarter. Loan approvals were especially concentrated in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

Ethiopia will export only finished leather goods beginning next month

Ethiopia-November 10, 2011-Ethiopia will export only finished leather goods beginning next month, announced the Ministry of Trade (MoT).

The groundwork has been laid to halt the export of raw hides and skin as of December said Ahmed Nuru representing the Minister of Trade at a half day consultative forum discussing the national leather sector.

Egypt Air launches Cairo-Addis daily flight

Addis Ababa, November 1, 2011 (WIC) – Following the new phase of relationship between the Egypt and Ethiopia, Egypt Air launched its Cairo-Addis Ababa daily flight on the 31st of October 2011.
In a launching ceremony held at the Sheraton Hotel on the Monday, the area manager of Egypt Air Mr. Maged Michel said that in recognizant to the bilateral relations between the two countries Egypt Air has begun daily Cairo-Adis flight.
According to the area manager, in 1995Egypt Air started its flight to Addis Ababa once a week, which rose to two flights in 2001, four in 2008 and five in 2009.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi To Attend G20 Summit in France

Wednesday 2, 1011-Prime Minister Meles Zenawi left for Cannes, France on Wednesday to attend the G20 summit to be held as of Thursday. The two-day meeting is expected to dwell on current summit It is to be recalled that a 17-member high-level advisory group was set up last year in seal, South Korea to meet the demands of emerging nations for infrastructural development.

Ethio-Djibouti joint experts’ meeting underway in Addis

Tuesday, 01 November 2011 Ministry of Foreign Affair says Ethiopia is committed to scaling up Ethio-Djibouti relations to a higher level. The remark came up at the Ethio-Djibouti joint experts’ meeting being held in Addis Ababa. Three key agendas were discussed during the 11th experts’ meeting of the Ethio-Djibouti ministerial commission: political, economic and trade ties, transport and port services. Chief of mission, Secretary General of the Djibouti Ministry of Foreign affairs, Mr. Mohammed Ali Hassan said the strengthening of Ethio-Djibouti bilateral ties has become a matter of necessity for the later.

Hailemariam: Gov't taking measures to combat diabetes

Tuesday, 01 November 2011 Speaking at the opening of a three-day International Conference on Diabetes on Tuesday, Hailemariam said the government has been urged to sign-up to commitments, concrete actions and measurable targets to tackle Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The four prominent NCDs include diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases. The five-year Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) also gives priority to maternal as well as to pre and post natal child health, Hailemariam said.