Capital

Ministry prepares 43.9 Billion Birr federal government budget plan for next Ethiopian fiscal year

(June 28, 2007, ENA) - The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development tables a 43.9 billion Birr federal government budget plan for the coming Ethiopian fiscal year.
Speaking at the 39th regular meeting of the House of Peoples’ Representatives on Thursday, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Sufian Ahmed said 25 percent of the total budget would go to the federal government as regular budget, while 48 percent of the total budget would be utilized as capital expenditure.
The Minister recalled that 9.5 billion Birr budget was given to states during the just ending Ethiopian fiscal year, while the amount set aside for states during the coming budget year has been increased to 13.4 billion Birr.
After thorough deliberations, the House directed the draft on the 2000 E.C budget plan to the budget and finance standing committee, with 254 votes, two objections and one abstention, for further scrutiny.

Finland and Amhara BoFED sign agreement worth 9 m€ on Water Supply programme

Deputy Head of Amhara Bureau of Finance and Economic Development Ato Mesfin G/medhin Birru and H. E. Ambassador of Finland Ms Kirsti Aarnio signed on Wednesday a water supply agreement worth 9 million euros. The agreement covers the implementation of the 4th phase of Rural Water Supply and Environmental Programme (RWSEP) in the Amhara Region. The 4th phase of the RWSEP programme will begin July 1st 2007 and last until the end of June 2011.
The budget for the 4th phase of the RWSEP programme amounts to 11,27 million euros. The Finnish Government contribution, on a grant basis, is a maximum of 9 million euros.
The 4th phase will be implemented in the same area as the previous phase of RWSEP, namely Bibugn and Enebsie Sar Mird in East Gojjam Zone; Dera, Fogera, Farta, West Estie and East Estie in South Gondar Zone; Bahir Dar Zuria, Yilmana Densa, Gongie Kollella, Quarit and Dagadamot in West Gojjam Zone; and Ankesha and Guangua in Awi Zone. (Press release from the Embassy of Finland in Addis Ababa June 26, 2007)

Setting national agreed standards said vital to develop ICT

(June 28, 2007, ENA) - Establishing nationally accepted and agreed data collection; processing data exchange procedures could enable to facilitate the speedy flow of information within the government institutions in a manner that it is reliable and cost effective, the Ethiopian Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (EICTDA) said.
The attention given by the government is not only to help the technology to grow as a sector but also setting agreed standards in development and application of contents is top on the list of priorities.
The workshop attracts participants drawn from pertinent governmental and non governmental organizations.

FEACC to set up ethics liaison offices at various administrative levels in Addis Ababa

(June 28, 2007, ENA) - The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) said it has launched activities to setup ethics liaison offices at various administration levels in Addis Ababa with a view to fighting corruption, maladministration and unethical practices.
Ethics education and public relations department director with FEACC, Berhanu Assefa told Ethiopian News Agency that the commission and the city administration are currently discussing on the establishment of the liaison offices.
The establishment of the liaison offices would be effective upon the agreement reached between the city administration and the commission.
According to Berhanu, FEACC is ready to provide necessary assistance both in the establishment and making activities of the ethics liaison offices successful.

Ethiopia, Starbucks agreement said enhance quality of Ethiopian fine coffees

(June 28, 2007, ENA) - The coffee trademark licensing agreement reached between Ethiopia and Starbucks, a giant coffee company in USA, would encourage Ethiopian coffee growing farmers to focus on producing and supplying quality coffee, the Oromia coffee growers cooperative union said.
Ethiopian coffee growers should strive to be beneficiaries of the trademark licensing agreement by supplying quality products, Tadesse said, and added that necessary orientations should be provided to the farmers to improve their capacity of supplying quality coffee.
Some 15 international coffee companies, Starbucks included, have so far singed coffee trademark agreement with Ethiopia.

Ethiopian set to launch 10 new flight routes in 3 years

(June 28, 2007, ENA) - Chief Executive Officer of the Ethiopian Airlines, Girma Wake said the airlines is executing wide ranging activities to launch 10 new flight routes over the coming three years.
The launching of Ethiopian’s flight to Bahrain would enhance government to government and people to people relations of the two nations.
Girma told Ethiopian News Agency reporter in Manama, Bahrain, recently that Ethiopian is opening new flight routes in a bid to satisfy the ever growing international demand of air transport.
Since most of the food items being consumed in Bahrain are imported, the newly inaugurated flight would create favorable opportunity to Ethiopian investors to exploit the market opportunity in Bahrain by exporting meat, coffee, vegetables, and fruits.