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Commission Creates Enabling Environment for Investment The Ethiopian Investment Communion (EIC) has created conducive working environment for investors. EIC Commissioner, Abbi Woldemeskel, in an exclusive interview with MoFA Newsletter said that in cooperation with regional governments EIC has facilitated licensing, allocation of land, and pre and post investment approval services. He called upon Ethiopian diplomatic missions to facilitate activities in recruiting investors and providing information they need. The number of new investments last year has excelled the aggregate over the past twelve years. According to Abbi, the majority of Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin were involved in construction, manufacturing, export and trade among others. |
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EASBRIG Members Calls for AU Support Member states of the East Africa Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) urged the African Union (AU) and the international community to make available resources in support of regional efforts towards the establishment of EASBRIG. The Heads of State and Government of East African countries made the call at the end of their assembly on the establishment of the Eastern Africa Standby Brigade on April 11, 2005 here in Addis Ababa. The leaders reiterated their commitment to render EASBRIG operational in accordance with the timetable of the African Union (AU). According to the communique released at the end of the assembly, the leaders gave Inter governmental Authority on Development, IGAD, the mandate to coordinate and present the report of the Heads of State and Government of Eastern Africa countries on the establishment of EASBRIG to the Chairperson of the Commission of the Africa Union, AU. In his opening remark at the summit Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said economic and social development in Africa is elusive with out peace and stability. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, Sudanese President Omar Hasan Al-Bashir, President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti and President Abdullahi Yusuf of Somalia attended the launching event. |
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Kuwaiti Paper Appreciates Democratic Process in Ethiopia The leading independent daily in the Arabian Gulf, Kuwait Times, has lauded the democratic process in Ethiopia. Kuwait Times said Ethiopian government's commitment and transparency has become robust now more than ever. The paper cited as a case in point the determination and relentless effort the government deployed to make the May 2005 elections free and fair. To make the Election democratic, the government has created a level playing field for all opposition groups and independent candidates to introduce their programmes. In a related news, an Ivorian yellow page says Ethiopia is the pride of Africa. According to the yellow page, Ethiopia is not a country of famine as often presented in the television footages but a country of many wonders and spectacular history and culture that makes it a pride the African continent. Ethiopians, who have discovered coffee for the first time and have been growing it to this day, plant also banana, papaya ,tomatoes, sorghum, wheat, millet, maize and all types of other tropical fruits, vegetables and cereals. Second in the number of heads of cattle on the continent, it went on to say, the country home to over 70 million people is striving to beat poverty in its bid to improve the life of its people. |
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Ethiopia to Benefit from Blair's Initiative The Commission for Africa, an initiative by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is believed to contribute for the realization of Ethiopia's development programme. Counselor of the Policy and Planning General Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mullugata Zewde told MoFA Newsletter that Ethiopia's major preoccupation is poverty alleviation by entrenching democracy through good governance that will lead to a speedy economic development. The report launched by the Commission will have a positive impact in development programmes Ethiopia has envisaged. Ethiopia, according to Mulugeta , could benefit from the speedy implementation of its poverty reduction strategy if the developed nations and African countries adhere to the Commission's recommendations.. Africa, he said, could benefit from globalization with the total removal of agricultural subsidies and other tariff barriers by the developed world. Mulegeta also underlined the importance of enlightenment and support of Africans, think tank groups and the disaspora to secure the support of G-8 groups for the Commission for Africa. |
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The Joint Forum of contending parties taking part in the upcoming elections has proved effective in seeking solutions to complaints lodged with the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). Chairman of the NEBE, Kemal Bedri, told a press conference on April 11, 2005 that the Board together with members of the Forum has been investigating alleged violations of the rights of candidates and their supporters in various parts of the country. He said, decisions had been issued in some cases, while others are still pending. The NEBE has so far considered and given immediate decisions on a number of cases, most of them submitted by opposition parties. In relation with the recent directive issued on accreditation of local observers, the Chairman affirmed that the directive is not intended to ban a particular body from observing elections. It rather ensured only independent and interested domestic organizations could observe the elections. "Some NGOs have partisan attitudes towards some parties" Kemal said and underlined that it is the responsibility of the NEBE to ensure that election observers are fully independent." |
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Ethiopia Poised for Successful Show in Aiche Ethiopia has made all the preparations to stage a successful show at the on going Aiche 2005 expo in Japan. Ato Addis Dilnesa, Acting General Director of the Asia, Australasia and Middle East General Directorate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and coordinator of the national committee for Aiche Expo said Ethiopia will put on display traditional as well as new export products like coffee and flower seeking promotion and wider market. He told the Ministry's Amharic monthly, News Magazine, in addition to export items, archeological findings which testify to Ethiopia's status as the cradle of mankind will also be exhibited at the Expo. Ethiopian traditional music, the annual Great Run as well as various tourist attractions will also feature at the expo. Addis expressed strong belief that Ethiopia's successful participation in the Expo will go a long way in promoting the image of the country. |