Newsletter 12
Ambassadors Pledge to Enhance Foreign Trade, National Image
President Girma Wolde-Giorgis urged the newly appointed Ethiopian
ambassadors to look for markets for Ethiopian goods.
The ambassadors and diplomats have pledged to explore ways of enhancing foreign trade and boosting national image.
In a directive he gave to the ambassadors at a farewell here at the national palace, President Girma urged the ambassadors to focus on activities that would help reduce poverty and foster a positive image of the country.
As diplomatic mission involves huge responsibility, much is expected from the newly appointed ambassadors, particularly in efforts geared towards lifting the country out of abject poverty.
Enticing foreign investors and tourists coupled with facilitation of conditions for their visits to Ethiopia should be given priority in the interest of speedy economic recovery of the country.
President Girma wished the ambassadors success in their endeavors.
Representative of the ambassadors, former minister of education, Genet Zewdie said herself and her colleagues would spare no effort in the fight against poverty, in the search for wider markets for Ethiopian products as well as building the image of the country.
She also hoped for more members of the fair sex to join the Ethiopian diplomatic corps. Ethiopia has assigned 44 ambassadors and senior diplomats to serve in its missions abroad.
Meles Recounts Steady Growth in National Economy
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has announced a stable economy as the country paces towards rapid development which currently is gathering momentum.
Presenting the mid-term performance report of the Government to the House of Peoples Representatives, Prime Minister Meles said encouraging gains have been registered in terms of aggregate economic growth as well as in export, investment and finance performances of the country during the first half of the fiscal year.
Meles said the total harvest volume of the year will have stood at more than 13,708,000 tons, which translates to a rise of 15.13 percent. National harvest volume during the previous year was more than 11,906,000 tons.
The rate at which Ethiopia's exportable agricultural goods has been growing outpaces that of production of other crops. According to Meles, oilseeds production has shown a 15.7 percent growth, of which sesame production accounted for 40.2 percent.
During the first six months of the budget year, the country has made exports to the value of 389.5 million US Dollars, showing a 33 percent growth. This is a tangible outcome of the country's export-led production strategy, Meles said.
Over the past six months alone, investment projects that injected a capital of 14.6 billion Birr in aggregate have been licensed, of which foreign investment accounted for 8.73 billion Birr.
Ethiopia, the Sudan and UNHCR Sign a Tripartite Agreement
Ethiopia, the Sudan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have signed a tripartite agreement to repatriate the Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia back to their country.
Signing the agreement on 27 February 2006 at a ceremony held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of FDRE, the three parties have called upon the international community to provide its generous support to make the repatriation of the refugees effective and successful. They have underlined that the assistance of the international community is decisive for the rehabilitation of the refugees in their home country.
On the occasion, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tekeda Alemu, said the tripartite agreement provides the necessary legal and operational framework for the voluntary, dignified, and safe repatriation of the refugees back to the Sudan.
He has also assured the commitment of his government to implement the tripartite agreement as quickly, and as effectively as possible.
The preamble of the agreement states that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) offers a momentous opportunity for the attainment of peace, stability and democratic progress for Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia to voluntarily return to their country of origin in safety and dignity.
The tripartite agreement was signed by State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Dr. Tekeda Alemu, the Interior Minister of the Sudan, Brigadier Aleu Ayieny Aleu, and UNHCR's Director of Operations in the Sudan and Chad Mr. Jean Marie Fahoun.
Ethiopia, Romania Conclude Cooperation Agreement
Foreign Ministry officials of Ethiopia and Romania have signed cooperation agreement that would enable the two countries to hold bilateral talks and discuss common interests.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tekeda Alemu and Charge d' Affaires of Romanian Embassy in Ethiopia, Marius Nicolescu signed the agreement.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Tekeda said the agreement would help strengthen the friendly relations existing between the two countries.
He said Ethiopia is desirous to bring to a higher level its relations with Romania.
Nicolescu said the friendly relations of the two countries were transformed to a better level.
The charge d' affairs hailed Ethiopia's role in the AU, IGAD and COMESA.
He said Romania would exert efforts to help resolve the Ethio-Eritrea border dispute through dialogue.
Nicolescu said the 50th anniversary of the Ethio-Romania relations would be celebrated next year.
Tekeda Lauds Japan's Commitment to Africa's Development
State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tekeda Alemu, appreciated Japan's commitment for development and friendship with Africa.
In his closing remark at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development /TICAD/ ministerial conference, held here on February 16 and 17, 2006, the State Minister pointed out that the TICAD process embodies Japan's commitment for Africa.
This special TICAD ministerial meeting, hich focused on peace consolidation in Africa,estifies the promises of the further consolidation of TICAD to African development,Tekeda said.
According to the State Minister, Japan has indeed real friends in Africa devoted to promoting the mutual interests of Africa and Japan.
Tekeda commended all Japanese colleagues and their partners for their contribution to the success of TICAD's ministerial meeting.
This conference is part of Japan's ongoing efforts as a follow up to the third Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development, or TICAD III, which took place in November 2003 according to the opening remarks made by Mr. Yasuhisa Shiozaku, senior vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan at the conference.
The conference was co-organized by the government of Japan, the United Nations, (UN) and the Global Coalition for Africa (GCA), the United Nations development Programme (UNDP) and the world Bank, with the aim of bringing together the experiences and lessons acquired in Africa and other regions, as well as putting forward proposals and recommendations for effective ways to promote peace consolidation in Africa. The conference drew more than 400 participants from 73 countries, as well as from 38 international and regional organizations, and 20 civil society and non-governmental organizations.
New Budget Grant Scheme Promotes Equitable Development
The new budgetary grant scheme under discussion among stakeholders promotes equitable economic development.
The formula which is lucid, fair and transparent is tabled after drawing experience from other nations.
Alemneh Regassa, Press, Public Relations and Minutes Organizations Head with the House of Federation said that the proposal will enable every citizen to get access to proportional public services.
The proposal stipulates that the future budget grant by the federal government is in the form of specific purpose grant.
House of Federation brought fore the previous formula for discussion owing to the dynamism of the objective reality of the country.
The formula is crafted based on regional states' expenditure and revenue need assessment, among others.
Producers Say Ethiopia Ideal for Floriculture Development
The Ethiopian Floriculture Producers Exporters Association, (EFPEA), said the government is providing incentives for investors involved in floriculture development.
Tsegaye Abebe, Association Chairman told MoFA Newsletter that the government is exerting relentless effort to attract investors in the sector.
Ethiopia is ideal for investors, he said, adding investors are satisfied with the outcome of their ventures.
Some 181 projects with a total capital of 5.5 billion birr were licensed until the end of 2005.
Upon going operational the projects will create over 38,000 new jobs.
Of the 181 investors engaged in the sector 134 are foreigners.
Ethiopian embassies were instrumental in recruiting investors from Holland, Israel, Germany, and India.