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House Endorses New Law The House of Peoples Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia issued a proclamation which deals with the orderly proceeding of the next parliament. In an interview with MoFA Newsletter, House speaker Dawit Yohannes said, the bill intends to facilitate the daily activities of the next parliament by introducing the whip system. Considering the diversity of elected parliamentarians, the House dwelt on the experiences of different countries and approved the law which guides the procedures of the council. Dawit recalled that previous procedures were relatively simplified due to the fact that the majority lawmakers were from one party, EPRDF. Dawit said, it is necessary to create conducive working environment for an orderly and peaceful dialogue in the incoming parliament. The proclamation was endorsed by the House of people's Representatives in a bid to enable the party leaders to set agendas and discuss along with the House Speaker reflecting their party positions, Dawit said. In addition to endorsing the law, the parliament has finalized preparations to install all the necessary facilities for the newly elected deputies. According to Dawit, offices, secretary typists and support staffs will be assigned for all political parties on the premise of the parliament. |
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Ethiopia Remains Committed to Fighting Terrorism Foreign Minister Seyeume Mesfin said Ethiopia remains vigilant with due commitment to fighting terrorism in the Horn Africa and the world at large. While conferring with U.S. Congressman Donland Payn, Seyoum said Ethiopia fights terrorism for it's a menace to peace and development. He added terrorism must be tackled with a comprehensive strategy. Ethiopia has embarked upon a true multiparty democracy, he told congressman Payen. Seyoum also underlined that it is the right time for the international community to support the emerging institutions in Somalia geared towards curbing terrorism. Seyoum briefed congressman Donland Payne about the resolution of the 4 th A.U. Extraordinary summit recently held in Addis Ababa. |
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Ambassador: Yemeni Business Delegation Visit Successful The Ethiopian Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen, Ambassador Abdi Dolal says the visit of the Yemeni business delegation to Ethiopia was fruitful. Ambassador Abdi told the MoFA monthly Newsletter that the visit was well planned and participants were drawn from all cities of Yemen representing groups interested in investing in Ethiopia. Speaking of the concrete gains of the visit, he mentioned that among the members of the business delegation five have already decided to import coffee and cattle from Ethiopia on permanent bases and three others have shown interest to engage in cotton production in Afar regional state. An agreement was also reached to set up a neurological hospital in Ethiopia which will put an end to the long journey of Ethiopian compatriots to Saudi Arabia and South Africa to receive treatment. The Yemeni business delegation led by Sheik Mohamed Omar Ba-Mashmooce paid the visit form 25-29 July 2005. During the visit, the delegation held discussions with officials of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce, and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. They also visited business establishenment like the Ethiopian Grain Trade Enterprise, ELFORA and Ethiopian Companies engaged in production of oil seeds, tea, coffee, leather products processing and export. |
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Commission Says Promoting Tourist Destinations The Ethiopian Tourism Commission says it is promoting tourist attraction sites to visitors. Tourism promotion Department Head with the commission, Habtamu Bekele, told MoFA Newsletter that to augment tourist flow to Ethiopia which is a land of beauty and exotic flora and fauna, the Commission has taken part in exhibitions that were held in seven countries . The Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian Hotels Association and Ethiopian Tour Operators Association Played Key roles in the events, he added. Journalists, from various global media networks including the BBC and ABC were invited to cover the diversified culture and geography of Ethiopia in a bid to attract more visitors. Departments of the Commission operate in a well-developed wide area network and a website was launched to enable tourists to browse information about Ethiopia before their departure to the host country. The Commission has also put in place a controlling mechanism on institutions which render service to tourists. |
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Reforms Enhance Service Delivery The Ministry of Trade and Industry said that it has raised its level of efficiency in service delivery. Public Relations Department with the Ministry said reforms the office has carried out have significantly improved transparency while raising efficiency to a new high. It said the duration of licensing and registration in the Ministry is now reduced from three days on average to about 40 minutes. Aside the traditional export items like coffee and leather; the export is being diversified to include honey, butter, fruit and vegetable, among others. There is a dramatic increment in the export of flower, oilseeds, leather and leather products. Ethiopia earned 708 million USD from export trade in 11 months the previous fiscal year. It said the export trade also has shown significant growth from 508 million USD in 1996 E.C. to 708 million USD in 1997 E.C. |
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Diaspora Engaging in Development Activities The General Directorate of the Ethiopian Expatriates Affairs with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has undertaken various activities that enabled member of the Ethiopian Diaspora to actively engage in investment and multifaceted development activities in their homeland. Councellor with the General Directorate, Teferi Melese told MoFA Newsletter that in order to foster the development endeavor taking place in Ethiopia with know-how and technology transfer a significant effort has been exerted to coordinate the support extended by Ethiopians in the Diaspora. Combined efforts by the Ethiopian missions abroad and the General Directorate initiated a number of Ethiopians and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin to engage in various sectors including education, health, agriculture, construction, hotel and tourism, areas given due priority by the Ethiopian government. Groups of Ethiopian professional were also of great help in addressing chronic social problems. Association of Health Professionals in North America/AHPNA/ is among Diaspora groups engaged in delivering medical support to those in need of it. Besides, the General Directorate has given support for Ethiopians residing abroad in legally settling issues related to reparations and protection from forceful and illegal working conditions. More than 560 expatriate Ethiopians were provided with services while the General Directorate issued 22 foreign citizens residing in Ethiopia with Ethiopian ID Cards. |