Americans should learn about the real Ethiopia, Ambassador A. Brazeal

By Tamiru Geda

The last food crisis that hit Ethiopia has very much affected the attitude of international organizations that should actually be looking to the economic development of this country.
According to the American ambassador to Ethiopia, Aurelia Brazeal, the food crisis and the emergency activities undertaken have diverted the attention of the donor countries. “In my time here, the last crisis dominated so much the attentions of donors that we clearly did not have much time to look at economic development in the private sectors, trade and other aspects ” she said. Ambassador Brazeal spoke to Capital at a press conference held in the embassy compound for local and foreign journalists.
With regards to American investors in Ethiopia, she said that they are not so many for the time being but there are some that are directly contributing to the development, for instance she mentioned the Ethio-American investors who have come back from the USA and set up a hospital in Dire Dawa
“These are the kind of investors that assume more than the large investors,” said Brazeal. “Still, there are some questions investors need to get an answer on; like easy access to telecommunications network, banks etc…”
In her views these are the areas where the large American investors need to be more liberal and active. But these areas play a major role in being a rather a dis-incentive for the large American investors from coming in, according to her.
She hoped that some sort of change would take place as quickly as possible, including in the attitude of the government officials here who think that all is well.
With regards to the venue influx of American investors, she agrees that they are not significant. They should be more informed about Ethiopia, other than what they know from Television screens, about the real situation and of what is happening here.
About the achievement of the African Growth Opportunities Act [AGOA] Ambassador Brazeal told Capital, that it is difficult to list out the achievements of AGOA globally, but concerning Ethiopia a couple of private firms have benefited from the provisions.
Information obtained from the Ethiopian Customs Authority reveals that Garment Express, Adey Ababa Yarn Sh. Co. and Nazreth Garment factory have exported various type of textiles to the US market. Addis Izmir textile factory also used to export as well.
Responding to Capital’s queries about the concern of some American farmers who are skeptical of the entrance of textile product into the US market, she said “I think people have some concern but I believe again that it all depends on the type of cotton; long staple cotton, short…”