Congress urges countries to intensify cooperation against financial crime

(FEACC)-

The Global Financial Crime Congress which was held in Bangkok, Thailand, urged countries to promote cooperation in prevention and investigation of financial crime.
Money laundering and terrorism financing were the key issues the participants discussed at length in the Congress held from 11 April to 20 April 2007.
The three-day Congress aimed at identifying and assessing the latest developments, technologies and strategies which are used in combating financial crime, in addition to finding new solutions and opportunities to enhance co-operation between and among law enforcement and the private sector.
According to the Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), H.E Ato Addisu Mengistu, who participated in the Congress, the participants reached consensus on preventing and exposing money laundering, which is fueling terrorism.
Money laundering has been spreading wide through various money transfer mechanisms, including credit card, Addisu said.

Investors with over 9.4 billion birr combined capital licensed in Amhara State

(April 27, 2007 WIC) - Investors with an aggregate capital of over 9.4 billion birr have been licensed in Amhara State during the past nine months, the Investment Promotion Agency disclosed.
Research and Promotion Department Head with the Agency, Assefa Worqe, told WIC today that over 80 percent of the 451 investment projects were foreign owned and joint ventures.
The projects focused on agriculture, industry, construction, social services, trade, hotel and tourism sectors, he said.
Among the projects include the huge venture underway to build a cement factory with 4.5 billion birr in North Gondar Zone, the head indicated.
The investment flow to the state exceeded that of same period last year by 97 in capital and over 131 percent in number of projects.
He attributed the growth to efficiency in granting land and the reduction in lease on both rural and urban lands.
Initiatives taken to resolve problems through joint forums of investors and executive bodies have also contributed to the growth, according to the head.
Upon going fully operational, the projects will create more than 311,000 jobs, it was learnt

UN-WFP delivering food to 32,000 people in Somali

( April 27, 2007 ENA ) - The UN World Food Program (WFP) said on Thursday that the agency’s contracted trucks convey thrust out of Mogadishu and deliver enough food to feed at least 32,000 people.
In a statement issued in Nairobi, the WFP said the nine-truck convoy drove west of Mogadishu and unloaded a total of 320 metric tons of food at six sites.
WFP’s non-governmental organization partners immediately began distributing the food to hungry families.
Country Director, Peter Goossens said WFP is now ready to reach some of the people.

Developing decent work opportunities said key in combating labor migration in Africa

(27, 2007 ENA) - The Ethiopian Science and Technology Agency (ESTA) said the close cooperation of between various institutions and regions to be able to develop science and technology in the country.
At a consultative workshop organized here on Friday to discuss relevant issues with regional officials, ESTA said there should be chain of relations between the two sides, as arbitrarily activities has not bean fruitful.
Addressing the workshop, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Capacity Building with the federal parliament Tekle Tesema said science and technology plays an important role in the country's economic development.
He said an integrated effort is required to address the problems of regions in this regard.

House Calls International community to condemn terrorist attack

(April 28, 2007WIC) - The House of People’s Representatives said the international community should denounce the horrible and cold-blooded massacre of innocent Chinese and Ethiopians, as the attack is international terrorism.
In a statement it sent to Ethiopian News Agency on Friday, the House said the international community should stand in unison with Ethiopia in the efforts geared towards freeing the Chinese and Ethiopian hostages.
Eritrean government should understand that Ethiopian development and democratization efforts would not be hampered by whatsoever terrorist attack committed by it and its international terrorist allies.