Capital

Youth association awards Al-Amoudi

By Tedla Desta

Final countdown to Commercial Code

By Andualem Sisay

Actis to enter Ethiopia

By Tedla Desta

AWD picking up

By Kirubel Tadesse

City land bid prices rocket

By Tedla Desta

Founder of Yenegew Sew to establish a university

By Tedla Desta

CUD leaders finaly freed

“Their appeal is a sign of maturity and not a sign of weakness. The uncontested winner in this sorry saga is the rule of law,” Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

By Andualem Sisay

After eighteen months of continuous effort of ‘self-initiated’ Ethiopian elders, finally the leaders of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), were pardoned by the government of Ethiopia on Friday, July 20, 2007.

The leaders of the party received a conditional total pardon, which includes all rights to be involved in the political activities of the country. The conditionality part of the pardon includes observing the constitution of the country and other undisclosed agreements that the leaders agreed to obey.

Heroes and Saints
Mediators promise more amnesty and harmony

By Tedla Desta

He can barely walk straight as he limped out of his living room to salute guests that came to his residence with bunches of roses. Two years ago, when he was sent to the Kaliti prison, the CUD chairman, Hailu Shawel, was a brawny man, “It was in the past 15 days that my leg condition got more severe.” Hailu Shawel told Capital as he came out of the prison and joined his family.

PEMPYA to build 21 mln birr college

By Tedla Desta

Beeswax-a resource not to be discarded

By Tedla Desta

Bio Disc trade shoots up

By Tedla Desta

Science, technology not luxury
for LDCs: study

By Andualem Sisay

Islamic council holds consultation on HIV/AIDS

By Sewnet HaileGiorgis

Disasters causes over 31 mln birr in damages

By Tedla Desta

I-FLEX re-introduces core banking system

By Tedla Desta

Statement of UEDP-Medhin on CUD leaders’ appeal before pardon

By Andualem Sisay

Kenya Airways’ top selling travel agents in Kenya

By our staff reporter

Century promotion looking for creative ideas
Invites partners for Millennium Eve 2000 Trade Fair and Bazaar

By Kirubel Tadesse

Honor professionals too
not just personalities

By Andualem Sisay

Drain bleeds 36,000 Ethiopian brains

By Andualem Sisay

Youth association awards Al-Amoudi

By Tedla Desta

Peace Ethiopia Messenger of Peace Youth Association (PEMPYA) in its millennium recognition program, held on Wednesday 19 July, 2007, awarded Sheik Mohammed Al-Alamoudi, making him the only business person to receive this award.
“As the owner of several manufacturing corporations, he has created many job opportunities. Moreover, his unreserved charity indicates his passion for his country and compatriots” the statement read during the Sheik’s award explained.
On the event, prominent politicians and religious figures were also awarded.
Yared Girma, President of the Association, said, “Our organization believes a new spirit of social and economic progress has energized Ethiopia.To enhance and intensify the ongoing processes, we believe it is relevant to reward celebrities for their outstanding contributions in the process.”
“We focused on peace, development and democracy and tried to include personalities such as government officials, opposition members, religious leaders and pioneers” Yared said. A young man attending the ceremony, however, noted that all the individuals awarded were either government officials or religious leaders, with no members of the opposition included.
The list of people awarded includes: First Lady Azeb Mesfin, Dr.Sheik Mohammed Hussein Al-Almoudi, Arkebe Ekubay, Mayor Berhane Deressa, Abune Paulos (Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church), Abune Berhaneyesus (Ethiopian Catholic Church), Reverend Etefa Gobena (President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Eyesus), Sheik Elias Redwan (Vice President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council) and the NGO, Norwegian Church Aid.

Final countdown to Commercial Code

By Andualem Sisay

The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (AACCSA) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on Monday July 16, 2007 to finalize the revision of the Commercial Code of Ethiopia before June 2008.
The current global and domestic economic realities are among the main reasons that led to the comprehensive revision of the 1960 Ethiopian Commercial Code. Globalization and the emergence of bilateral and multilateral trade between and among different countries, issues related to bankruptcy and information communication technology were also justifications to revise the nearly 50-year-old code.
The revision was launched by the Ministry of Justice, later joined by the business community representative, the AACCSA. Experiences from developed countries are also expected to be incorporated in the new Commercial Code of Ethiopia, which is scheduled to be finalized before June 2008.
The MoU provides for both parties to co-operate in finalizing the revision of the Commercial Code of Ethiopia in a way that best enhances the environment for economic development, growth and poverty alleviation in Ethiopia.
The support towards the finalization of the revision process at the MoJ will be channeled through the Private Sector Development Hub (PSD-Hub), program of AACCSA with financial resources made available by the Swedish International development Cooperation Agency, (SIDA).
Such recent practice shows that partnerships between the government and the private sector are showing improvement. On the other hand, it is also recalled that a paper presented by Ato Ermias Amelga, a prominent entrepreneur, at the Second AACCSA National Private Sector Development Conference, held at the end of April, indicated that the private sector is marginalized in the planning and formulation of development strategies and programs.
In his paper, Promotion of private sector led economic growth in Ethiopia, he also criticized the government for only seldom inviting the private sector to comment on already developed policies and programs to create the perception of participation.
This paper went on to describe the weakness of the private sector of Ethiopia as not being adequately organized nor represented at the table when programs and policies are discussed and decisions made.
Many observers concur on the need for the formulation of a partnership architecture that allows for the required kind of direct engagement and sophisticated package of support that can produce meaningful results.

Actis to enter Ethiopia

By Tedla Desta

Actis, a private equity fund which provides venture capital for businesses, is to start work in Ethiopia, sources told Capital.
A child of British’s CDC which has been in Africa for the last 60 years, Actis has its head office in Nairobi
Actis now manages USD 3.4 billion raised for venture capital globally and manages all of CDC projects in Africa. Out of the USD 1 billion budgeted for Africa, 200 million has been set aside for East Africa, Ethiopia included.
“Having selected an Ethiopian individual to scout for them, Teshome Abebe owner of Genuine Leather Craft, Actis is looking at investing in Ethiopia if an opportunity arises,” the source said.
The East African Advisory Panel was launched on March 19 this year and the first people to serve in the panel are Teshome Abebe, Nick Mugwandia of Kenya, Ali Mufuruki of Tanzania and Dr. Martin Aliker of Uganda. The panel sits every quarter to discuss prospective businesses, as they are the ones who scout for the venture capital firm.
Teshome is to act as the advisor for Actis on all their investments in Ethiopia. Before they invest here, he is needed to scout for them, test the market and brief them on market trends.
Actis has a strong track record across the continent, investing in sectors such as minerals, oil and gas, FMCG, infrastructure, and telecoms.
It has been actively involved in Africa since 1948 and has an extensive network of operations with 27 investment professionals on the ground in Cairo, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi, supported by a specialist team based in London.
The African portfolio comprises 34 investor companies totaling US$580 million of investment.
“Actis is a venture capital firm, meaning, it helps raise capital for businesses that want to expand. So they inject an amount, not less than $10 million, not more than $100 million per business. With the significant stake in the businesses, Actis can appoint a director to sit in the board, offering financial advice,” the sources said.
Actis was born three years ago to professionally manage CDC’s investments and other investments deals sealed over the period.
In East Africa it has invested in Rwanda (BRC Bank where it owns 80 per cent of the bank), Uganda (DFCU bank, where it owns 60 per cent), Songas and Tatepa in Tanzania, and Homegrown in Kenya.

AWD picking up

By Kirubel Tadesse

Acute watery Diarrhoea (AWD), cases showed signs increasing trend according to the weekly Bulletin of UN Office for Coordination, Humanitarian Affairs. The office expressed its fears that the rains will further exacerbate the prevalence of AWD as three woredas were affected during this week, named Aseko, Arsi zone, Robe town, Bale zone in Oromiya region, and Dawa Hariwa woreda of Oromiya Zone in Amhara region.
The bulletin explained that, due to the security situation, in Somali region, AWD cases were reported only from Jijga town. Most of the cases were reported from Oromiya region; 49.6% and Afar Region 44.4% particularly from Zone 1.The Bulletin also, and reported that the WHO has deployed two more consultants to these regions in addition to the seven based across the affected regions. Oromiya Regional Bureau and UNICEF are also working to clear AWD from the woredas, along side ongoing health awareness campaigns. In related news, State Minister of Health, met with WHO, UNDP, OCHA, and UNICEF during the week to review their areas of support in AWD response. One of the recommendations from the meeting was to reactivate the AWD multi-sect oral coordination committee as well as sectoral taskforces.
The weekly bulletin in its emergency food response section report stated that DPPA had dispatched relief food for Oromiya Region for the months of June to a total of 70,000 beneficiaries based on verification assessment results. Food for 42,600 beneficiaries in SNNPR is being transported to affected areas. Preliminary field reports from the belg team indicate increased emergency food needs in some belg producing areas. Oromiya region has requested additional relief food to be dispatched to approximately 110,000 beneficiaries in West Hararghe Zone. Based on the request, DPPA has allocated a one month ration. Further more a one month ration is allocated for 47,360 people in two woredas in North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region in need of urgent relief assistance. The food dispatch is expected to start shortly. In response to the current deteriorating food security in Afar region, 148 tons of supplementary food has also been allocated for beneficiaries in zones one, two and three.

City land bid prices rocket

By Tedla Desta

Following the 5th round land lease bid, prices offered for the plots of lands in various Sub-cities have increased tremendously hitting a new high in the city, Capital learnt.
The plots to be leased by the Addis Ababa City Administration Land Development and Administration Authority are found in five different Sub-cities: Bole, Akaki Kaliti, Arada, Gulele and Nefas Silk Lafto sub-cities.
The highest bid was offered in Arada Sub-city for a plot of 450 square meters in front of the Second Police Station, in district number 17.
The initial bidding price for this 450 square meter plot was 1167.30 birr but a lady named Aysha Hassen won the bid for 10,166 birr/sqm. “This is the first and highest bid offer given to leased lands found in our sub-city” a source from the Sub-city said. Apparently, the amount makes the highest price per square meter of land offered in Addis.
The multi service land was deposited on a blocked account of 225,000 birr. Last year, following the Addis Ababa Caretaker Administration’s first round auction announcement, a plot around Merkato had fetched 10,000 birr per square meter, which was the highest ever submitted for a plot in the city.
In this same Sub-city, an 1100 square meter plot found near Universal Clinic with an initial price of 1062.90 was offered a highest bid amounting1600 birr/sqm by Sadik Siraj Adem.
The other respective offers were given in Bole sub-city 2777/sqm and 2, 310/sqm in Nifas Silk Lafto sub-city.
For bids, the administration requires a specific amount of money to be deposited in a blocked account, verified by a bank and submitted with the bidding document. This scheme was introduced so as to exclude those who participate in the tender without the necessary financial position.

Founder of Yenegew Sew to establish a university

By Tedla Desta

Founder and shareholder of the former Yenegew Sew Education S. C, Dr. Leulsegged Alemayehu, is constructing a new institution, Zerihun Desta University College, named after his father in low.
According to the Owner and President of the University College, Dr. Lulsegged, the construction of the institution started in November 2007 and is expected to be completed by the Ethiopian Millennium.
The construction was undertaken by Chinese contractor, Safety for Ever. “The main site of the University College will be established as a residential campus on 400,000 to 600,000 square meters of land in Geja-Gedamba/Geja-Mirga area,” he said. The City Center Branch, located in Kirkos sub-city, is expected to cost over 15 million birr. The facilities of the branch located in Kirkos sub-city will consist of 24 adequately furnished and equipped classrooms, science labs, multi-media and computer center, guest house and other facilities, Dr.Leulsegged explained.
“Our purpose is to provide opportunity for young people to get education and training and increase their employability” he mentioned and added that his institution strives to emphasize quality and excellence of education and training.
Asked about how his University College would strive to bring quality of education, he replied that they would strive to recruit faculty members among highly qualified Ethiopians, to avoid revert the usual criticisms of low standards that fall on private higher educational institutions.
Dr. Leulsegged was the designer, creator and establisher of the Yenegew Sew Education Share Co. He was also the first secretary general of the National Commission of Higher Education for Ethiopia and first principal of Medhane Alem School.

CUD leaders finaly freed

“Their appeal is a sign of maturity and not a sign of weakness. The uncontested winner in this sorry saga is the rule of law,” Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

By Andualem Sisay
After eighteen months of continuous effort of ‘self-initiated’ Ethiopian elders, finally the leaders of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), were pardoned by the government of Ethiopia on Friday, July 20, 2007.

The pardon is treated based on the law of the country, which provides for the pardon of people who have been sentenced, according to the statement of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who briefed both local and international journalists on the issue Friday morning.
“The pardon is conditional, which means that the government would expect them to stick to their promises and the pardon will be conditional on their continued adherence on the promises they made in the appeal for pardon, which is that they respect the rule of law, respect the constitution and respect the constitutionally mandated institutions. So long as they do that, they will be free,” Meles said.
The pardoned CUD leaders need to rally for the elections scheduled next year if they are interested to fill the parliamentary seats that they rejected two years ago.
Expressing his impression towards the CUD leaders appeal for pardon, Meles said: “Nobody needs to be humiliated. They made a mistake. This is a sign of maturity and not a sign of weakness.”
Though there were external pressures on the government to release the arrested CUD leaders claiming that they are political prisoners, the government maintained that they were arrested because they broke the rule of law.
As a result, some representatives of donor countries had issued a statement opposing the stand of the government on the issue by delaying and reducing the development assistance they used to give for Ethiopia. Recalling what he called it, ‘a shameful act’, Meles said: “we have survived those difficult and trying moments.”
Now, the consequences of the May 2000 National Elections have come to an end according to the rule of law of the country and with purely self-initiated efforts of prominent Ethiopian elders, according to the PM.
“One could say there is now more consensus on the rule of the game; the mechanics of political competition in the country. The outcome of the game is not at stake here. It is the rule of the game that was at stake,” he said.
Speaking on whether the appeal letter of the CUD leaders might make the people who elected them unhappy, Prime Minister Meles said: “The public has no reason to feel defeated because they are not part of the game.”
“What the oppositions got during the May 2005 National Elections was largely a protest vote. Most voted against EPRDF rather than for them. They misunderstood the protest vote for an insurrectionary mood,” according to Meles.
“The public used its vote to indicate its dissatisfaction. The message was that EPRDF did not live up to their expectation. We have listened to them and acted immediately to redress some of the concerns that they raised. The protest vote was dealt with utmost care and full respect,” he said.
It was last week that the Federal Supreme Court sentenced 30 of the prominent CUD figures, to life imprisonment and eight, including two publishers, with imprisonment of up 18 years and fines. In the meantime, 38 of the detainees including publishers signed a letter of appeal for pardon to the Prime Minister Office in mid June and to the presented elders.
According to the elders, who comprise famous personalities like Athlete Haile Gebreselasse and Professor Ephram Isaac, they have taken the initiative to disseminate the spirit of peace in the country as the nation begins its third Millennium. They also expressed their wishes to see tolerance and mutual respect among all Ethiopians with various political views in the coming third Millennium.
The Coalition for Unity and Democracy had 109 parliamentary seats, according to the National Electoral Board. 11, including Dr. Birhanu Nega, who was voted Mayor of Addis Ababa unanimously by the CUD, and Engineer Hailu Shawl, Chairman of the party, are among to the released figures of CUD. Professor Mesfin Woldemariam, former Harvard scholar, UN special envoy and a former professor at Virginia’s Norfolk State University and Yacob Hailemariam also are among the pardoned CUD leaders.
Commenting on the issue to National Television, “We really appreciate the government for giving us the opportunity that it denied for others and allowed us to move the issue to this fruitful ending,” said Haile Gebresilasse.
Reaction of former partners and Addis Ababa residents
Member of Parliament (MP) Mohamed Ali is one of the 94 CUD members who decided to join the parliament. “It is difficult for me to express my joy over their release. We happily welcome them, highly appreciating the sacrifices they have made for the survival of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) party,” he commented.
Reasoning out how he and the other 93 CUD members decided to join the parliament, while anonymously all of them decided not to join, “we decided to join the parliament to insure the legal sustainability of CUD as a party,” Mohamed says. Those CUD members who joined the parliament had good relationships with those who were in prison, according to Mohamed.
Now, he looks forward to working together with the released members of his party and continue in peaceful political struggle.
While two members of the party are out of the country, another two, who neither joined the parliament nor were arrested are living in Ethiopia.
MP Lidetu Ayalew was also a member of the CUD party, until his party United Ethiopian Democratic Party, separated itself from the coalition after deciding to join the parliament. Expressing his party’s happiness on the release of his former partners, his party has made a statement. According to the UEDP-Medhin statement, the party is delighted to see CUD leaders released and appreciates the brave action taken by the government in responding to their appeal positively.
In addition, his party has also expressed its appreciation to the role that the self–initiated elders have played in resolving the crisis caused following the May 2005 National Election. The party has also stressed the need for such internal elders’ dispute resolving mechanism to resolve other political problems that the country has with different groups.
Following the news of the release of CUD leaders, many Addis inhabitants spent Friday night saying “Enkuan Des Yaleh/Yalesh”, literally meaning congratulations. Getahun Kibre, 37, a business man spent the whole night celebrating with his friends. Expressing his delight to Capital the next day, “My view towards Ethiopia’s politics has been gloomy ever since they were arrested,” he says. “I now see a bright future for my country. It is always better to have different political views that one can choose from. In addition, the existence of a strong opposition party will also give the opportunity for the other side to improve itself. “
It is a great achievement in the history of this country,” says a lecturer at a University College, who requested anonymity. “Resolving our internal issues by ourselves is a very good beginning as it strengthens everyone’s national feeling. This has a great impact towards the country’s effort out of poverty. If any party wants to succeed to this end, it needs to fulfill the interests of every segment of the society as much as possible.”
“Whatever policies one party or government has, they do not work if the public has no interest to implement them,” he underlined.
“I feel glad with their release because I didn’t elect them to be imprisoned in the first place,” says Azeb Ashenafi, accountant. “My intention was and still is to see changes in my life that I haven’t seen with the ruling party. If you want me to choose, you have to be sure that it is available for me when I choose. Now, what happened is done and I am happy it ended this way after all.”
In a related development, foreign partners have been expressing their appreciation over the release of CUD members and other political detainees. Yves Boulannger, Ambassador of Canada and Chair of the Ethiopia Partners Group, issued a statement in which he stated: “the Ethiopian Partners Group strongly welcome the announcement that President Gitrma Woldegiorgis has granted a full pardon to those sentenced in the case against leading opposition figures.”
The United States Embassy in Ethiopia on its part, has also released a statement, appreciating the efforts of Ethiopian elders and civil society leaders that resulted in pardoning by the Ethiopian Government of 38 opposition leaders and journalists detained in the wake of political violence in 2005.

Heroes and Saints
Mediators promise more amnesty and harmony

By Tedla Desta

The city wide rumors since some weeks ago that leaders of the CUD had reportedly signed an undisclosed statement that was expected to lead imminently to a pardon and political reconciliation with the government, although the government has not confirmed it, turned out to be reality.
As he headed out of prison, Dr. Berhanu, the former mayor elect of Addis Ababa, made his way to his parents’ house in the Saris area, and found it crowded with cars and visitors. In the back yard of the house, People were singing and dancing to traditional Guragegna songs.
“I am so delighted that words are insufficient to express my exultation” Abebech Wolde Giorgis, mother of Dr.Berhanu Nega told Capital. she added, “I wish he never returns to political life again.”
On a related development, the Ethiopian Elders Chairman, Professor Ephraim Issac promised that the Elders Group would continue to work towards bringing more amnesty and harmony. “We wouldn’t stop here; we will continue to incorporate other groups in the reconciliation process as well,” he said.
“Since ancient times and today throughout our country, there exist Ethiopian elders who humbly and with sensitivity, counsel and advise interpersonal and group conflicts as well as conflict between political leaders. Numerous examples can be cited from Ethiopian history of how this tradition has been effective. Emperor Menilik went into combat against Emperor Yohannes in the late 19th century; however, elders and religious leaders asked him to seek forgiveness from Emperor Yohannes who took a crown and placed it upon Menelik’s head upon reception. Menilik in turn, when he became the next Emperor, also listened to the advice of elders and appointed the son of Emperor Yohannes as king of the North” Professor Ephraim stated.
“Those who ask forgiveness are heroes; those who give it are saints,” he said of their motto.
Speaking of foreign involvement, Professor Ephraim said that there have been attempts with productive results in some cases but unfortunately in other cases counter-productive. “Ethiopians are proud people who can solve their domestic problems by themselves. Most foreign diplomats in Ethiopia have come to understand this culture, love and respect it. And they are our good allies and friends. Unfortunately, in most recent times, a few exceptions have crossed the line and violated the Ethiopian people’s sense of self respect and dignity. I have no doubt that some of these officials are trying to be helpful; they probably have good motives and intentions but due to a deeper lack of understanding of our culture, their intentions have done more damage than good and produced precisely the opposite result of what they are trying to achieve,” Professor Ephraim said.
On 20 July 2007, government pardoned 38 convicted prisoners - mainly opposition politicians and journalists - who had signed a document admitting using “unconstitutional means to change the constitutionally established government,” following the 2005 elections. Most of the pardoned were sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday July 16,2007.
Regarding the two civil society members; Netsanet Demissie and Daniel Bekele, who were arrested together with the CUD leaders, Action Aid stated in its press release that they expect to begin presenting defense evidence in the High Court towards the end of July – unless the Supreme Court has by then already ruled in their favor.

PEMPYA to build 21 mln birr college

By Tedla Desta

Peace Ethiopia Messenger of Peace Youth Association (PEMPYA), is to build a college that trains youth on peace and development, Capital learnt.
The President of the Association, Yared Girma told Capital that construction work is to start soon, having completed all necessary preparations.
The Addis Ababa Care Taker Administration has promised us the required land, “we hope we will realize our project very soon if all the support and assistance arrive,” he said.
With a projected budget of 21 million birr, the construction of the college is scheduled to begin as soon as they acquire their allocated land.
The college plans to train in the Diploma program for two years on peace, development and good governance, enrolling 700 students every year.
“We envision that the college will be the center of breeding Ethiopia’s accountable and responsible leaders,” said Yared.
PEMPYA will name the college after a prominent Ethiopian who contributed a lot for sustainable development, peace and democracy.
Since its establishment, PEMPYA has accomplished major activities in the peace development and democratization process as an organization committed for building sustainable peace in the country, the president said.
In line with this, the organization, in collaboration with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and religious institutions, has been fulfilling many crucial activities focusing on stabilizing the precarious situation following the third national elections and create an effective peaceful condition in Addis Ababa. PEMPYA has also been working with high school students on efforts that could bring peace and stability through discussion.
Established in 2005, the Association has 8000 members in Addis Ababa and 7000 in the regions.
Asked about the recent reconciliation reached between the government and arrested CUD leaders, Yared said that his association fully supports and appreciates the move.
“We appraise their steps, it really creates national consensus. In the future too, such efforts should be promoted and prolonged.”

Beeswax-a resource not to be discarded

By Tedla Desta

Beeswax, a by-product of honey is largely produced in both urban and rural areas. However, it had not been well utilized as a result of low awareness of its uses. “We either sell it or dump it in the garbage as what we are looking for is the honey,” says Azalech, a brewer of the traditional drink ‘Tej’ – a honey mead.
Ethiopia is the 5th largest wax exporter to the world market. The annual production of wax is estimated at 3200 tons, without accounting for the beeswax discarded in remote areas. Beeswax is a valuable hive product obtained from honeybees and is mainly collected, in our country, from traditional hives rather than the modern version promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and several NGOs. The wax yield from traditional hives is 8-10% of the honey yield, compared to 0.5-2 % from modern hives. The bulk of the supply of beeswax is obtained as residual extract from “Tej” production, an alcoholic beverage popular throughout Ethiopia.
The annual quantity of beeswax sold ranges from 207 to 525 tons with a value of from half a million to 1.4 million USD. The annual average price per ton does not show much inconsistency as a change in volume of supply does not reduce the average earnings per ton.
According to the ITC report, export of beeswax has had difficult times in the last 5 years, showing an average growth rate of 1 % and even went negative in between 1999-2002. However, exports of beeswax from Ethiopia have increased spectacularly and reached 402 tons (1.2% of the world market), in 2003 destined to the USA, Japan, Greece, Great Britain and the Netherlands, among other countries, , according to ITC.
There are 16 companies registered as exporters of beeswax in the country. However, with the exception of four, the others are not active. Three of the 4 are reported to be principal exporters, of which Ghion Industrial and Commercial plc is the largest followed by Baobed plc and BWAP Export plc, respectively. The former made up about 50% of the beeswax export of the country in 2003. The lack of supply is mentioned as one of the problems, but not an absence of an eager international market.
The major constraints that affect apiculture in Ethiopia are low awareness of beekeeping, shortage of trained manpower, lack of beekeeping equipment, pests and predators, fire, pesticide threat and inadequate research work to support development programs. Farmers are only focusing on selling the honey and do no consider wax as a means of income. They do not apply proper harvesting of honey and do not own honey and wax separators. The moisture content of the product is beyond the standard range and critical for the business as farmers fail to supply honey with standard moisture content. This needs improvement. The limitations of apiculture know how, especially the method of harvest and lack of proper apiary tools, are causing the honey to contain high moisture content. The volume of production is also very small and needs routine collection from fragmented, small scale production.
Ethiopia has a huge potential to produce honey and beeswax. Beekeeping in Ethiopia is done by tradition, which means that most of the farmers in rural areas keep hives. This has led to Ethiopia being fourth in the world in beeswax and tenth in honey production.
The Ethiopian Honey and Beeswax Producers and Exporters Association estimates a honey production of 24,000 tons based on 7.5 mln traditional hives and 20,000 framed hives. Beeswax production is estimated to be 3,000 tons, while it is expected that in rural locations, wax is still not seen as a commercial product and is therefore wasted.
Honey is 85% locally consumed for the preparation of “Tej” mead, which would leave 15% (3,600 tons), of honey for export. The Ethiopian Government is working to meet EU requirements, to amend national beekeeping standards and to complete the residue-monitoring plan.

Bio Disc trade shoots up

By Tedla Desta

The Bio Disc, a natural energy generating device, is being sold in markets, Capital learnt.
The usage of the device is increasing in Ethiopia as people began to import it as part of the Quest net, a type of global network marketing, referral purchasing package. According to the information obtained from the users as well as from descriptions about the product on the Internet, the device has various benefits that range from improving sleep up to rejuvenating dead cells.
The product has specifications such as a round clear appearance, 9cm diameter and 10 mm thickness, weighs 130 gms. Created by Dr. Iyan, a German scientist, BioDisc started to be promoted in May 2006.
According to its advocators, BioDisc, which has 13 types of natural minerals, is also believed to increase mental cognition and increase blood oxygen level. They also advocate that it also has the magical power of improving body energy just by keeping in a bathwater. “I have seen significant changes after applying the drug. I had a fungus on my face but since the day I used BioDisc, it has gone” Said Matyas Berhane, a promoter of the product. According to Matyas, in Ethiopia currently there are over 10,000 users. He says that the current customers of the product are car drivers. “If one buys 10 liters of benzene and rubs it with Bio Disc, then the life of the benzene rejuvenates. So the largest users of the product are coming from the drivers’ side” claimed Matyas.
Meanwhile, health professionals who were asked to give comments on the product, mentioned that any item that has got medical claims as in healing is pronounced a drug and must be registered by the Federal Drug Administration and Control Authority (DACA). “The ethics also prohibits the promotion or advertisement of a drug through a franchiser” Yetneberk Mulgeta, a Health Assistant said. We found out that this item has not been registered by DACA.
Bio Disc is said to operate for 15 years. Asked if gradual side effects might develop as a result of using the item, Matyas said that Bio disc is produced in Nano technology and emits energy at a Nano rate ensuring no health threats.
“Technically engineered natural minerals have been structurally bonded in glass, at molecular level, using several high heat fusion methods. This combination of techniques causes a catalytic energy conversion creating, specific natural Nano resonance in the AMEZCUA BIO DISC,” says a statement found in the company’s official website and adds transferring the “Nano Energizing Frequency” into or through liquid affects the nanos within the liquid.
When the mineral nanos come into contact with its specific frequency, it behaves completely differently from the host atom, for instance: it boils quicker, is lighter and it refracts more light. This natural resonance has the ability to create a molecular structure in all manufactured or treated liquid and vegetation, it adds.

Science, technology not luxury
for LDCs: study

By Andualem Sisay

To reduce poverty, Least Developed Countries (LDC), must develop their productive capacities and diversify their economies by increasing the application of knowledge and technology to agriculture, manufacturing, and services, UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2007 warns.
Without sustainable, science-based improvements in crop yields and quality, and without the creation of non-farm jobs through the technological upgrading and diversification of existing manufacturing and service activities, substantial poverty reduction will not be possible in LDCs.
LDCs must innovate their way out of poverty, the report argues. Knowledge is becoming increasingly important in global production and competition, but this is precisely where the LDCs are at their weakest.
Their domestic firms and farms have low technological capabilities; skills are underdeveloped; and the domestic institutions which could support technology acquisition and diffusion are lacking or ineffective.
Recently a number of LDCs have experienced growth spurs associated with high commodity prices. But this cannot be sustained in the long run, the report says.
Weak technological capabilities neutralize opportunities that potentially arise when other countries open their trade and markets to LDCs.
Even where LDCs are increasing exports and attracting foreign investments, most of them are not climbing the economic and technological ladder. Their economies remain locked into low value-added commodity production and low-skill manufacturing.
The current pattern in LDCs appears to be economic liberalization without learning, and global integration without innovation, the report says. This spells increasing marginalization for the 767 million people who now live in LDCs.
It is usually argued that greater openness to international trade and investment brings new technologies to developing countries. But the report shows that for LDCs such technology transfers are extremely limited.
LDC investment in imported machinery and equipment - a major channel for the arrival of new technology - is about half the level of other developing countries.
Participation in international value chains, in which products go through numerous steps from raw materials to sophisticated, finished forms, do little to infuse technology into LDCs.
An analysis of 24 value chains in which LDC exports play a role shows that export upgrading has only occurred in 9 of them since the 1990s, involving just 18% of total merchandise exports from LDCs. But downgrading took place in 12 other value chains, representing a much higher 52% of total LDC exports.
Technological “spillovers” to domestic firms are expected from foreign direct investment (FDI) in LDCs. But in African LDCs, most FDI is focused on mineral extraction, and spillover into domestic firms and joint ventures is limited.
In Asian LDCs, the rapid growth in FDI in garment manufacturing has not led to a corresponding development of domestic firms’ technological capabilities.
Technology licensing, payments for the right to undertake activities protected by patents, in LDCs are very weak and has been stagnant since the 1990s.
LDC governments should adopt policies to spur science, technology and innovation, just as industrialized countries do, the report recommends. Such policies were sidelined by the structural adjustment programmes of the 1980s and 1990s, and current Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers have failed to re-introduce them.

Islamic council holds consultation on HIV/AIDS

By Sewnet HaileGiorgis

The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council gave a press release about the 3rd International Muslim Leaders Consultation on HIV/AIDS Conference. The conference noted that the experiences and culture of Muslim communities in the fight against AIDS were not adequately catered for by current international AIDS Conferences.
It was agreed that international Muslim leaders consultations on AIDS should be held to share the experiences of Muslim communities and pave the way forward to the Islamic approach to combating AIDS.
The first Muslim leaders consultation on HIV/AIDS was held in Kampala, Uganda in 2001 and it was organized by the Islamic medical association of Uganda. The theme for consultation was ‘strategies for strengthening and expanding the international Muslim community’s response to AIDS’ and the consultation motto was ‘Jihad on AIDS: Self discipline using Allah’s guidance.’ During this consultation it was agreed that an international center for promotion of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS be established in Uganda.
The second International Muslim Leaders Consultation on AIDS was held in Kuala Lampur, Malysia, in 2003 and was organized by the Malaysia AIDS Council in conjunction with the Malaysian government. The theme was ‘the caring Ummah, transferring the response.’ During the consultation, it was noted that there was a need to clarify the concept of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS and its implementation among the Muslim communities.
The main objectives of the 3rd IMLCs were to articulate and analyze the approach to HIV/AIDS and how it can be transformed from theory into practice, to share experience on the implementation of various aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support using the concept of the Islamic approach and to plan for follow up activities after the 3rd IMLC in relation to the implementation of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS.
President of the general assembly of IMLC said that scientific and religious approaches are essential in checking the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Disasters causes over 31 mln birr in damages

By Tedla Desta

Losses from fires and other disasters that occurred in the just ended fiscal year have registered at 31, 634,102 birr, Kebede Legesse, Head of Public Relations of the Addis Ababa City Administration City Fire Brigade, told Capital.
Compared to the previous year, the damages sustained showed a 17.6 % decline. Kebede said that the fires showed a decrease of 19.5% compared to the previous year. Major fire and minor accidents decreased by 51% and 17% respectively. The head also said that the reason for the decrease is the extensive public awareness creation activities conducted by the institution. “We have conducted a wide spread awareness campaign though all our branches. This takes the highest share in helping reduce the risk of fire,” he added.
Sudden disasters, nevertheless, increased by 40% compared from the previous year. The increasing disasters have also raised the number of dead from 52 to 70. Major reasons for fire accidents are low awareness and neglect of fire control by society
Regarding the construction of the already started Fire Brigade Training Center, Kebede said that the country will have professional fire fighters for the first time in its history when it is completed within a year. The center is located near Akaki stadium and will be training students that would work in fire fighting and disaster rescue.

I-FLEX re-introduces core banking system

By Tedla Desta

An Indian company, I-Flex, has reintroduced core banking system to the Ethiopian banking and insurance sector, I –Flex’s Sales Manager for Africa, J. Chandramohan told Capital.
Core Banking is a mission critical application that automates banks. Depending on the bank’s need, the application automates the process followed, by bringing standards and discipline compliance to the requirements. It is basically on how the bank would use the technology and excel in whatever it is doing.
At the consultative workshop, a package named FLEXCUBE was also introduced for heads of major banks operating in the country. It was also stated that the Ethiopian banking sector can make use of the package to meet the ever growing customer demands.
FLEXCUBE is a modern banking system believed to enhance the traditional banking system and is tested and proved practical in the world.
Experts from the Indian company explained that the new package serves customers through its delivery channels- the internet, teller, ATM, phone, Mobile phone on its functional modules for various banking activities like current saving accounts, deposits, loans, loan application processes, loan syndicates and the like.
“It was an experience sharing session with the financial sector in Ethiopia, on how we create core banking solutions. We were encouraged by our experience sharing with our existing customers: Dashen Bank and United Bank. We think that this would help new up coming banks on how they can form their strategy for migrating from an existing Silo based Core Banking system to Integrated Core Banking System” J. Chandramohan said.
I –Flex provides comprehensive IT solutions exclusively to the financial services industry worldwide. It has serviced over 750 customers in more than 125 countries through its portfolio of products and services. I-flex’s de-risked revenue model continues to deliver consistent results despite changing global economic conditions. The company is not overly dependent on any one country or geographical region and has a diversified revenue stream from a widespread customer base.

Statement of UEDP-Medhin on CUD leaders’ appeal before pardon

By Andualem Sisay

The United Ethiopian Democratic Party (UEDP-Medhin), a former CUD member party, has made a statement on the CUD leaders appeal letter for pardon to the government on Wednesday, three days before the government released the detainees after accepting the appeal.
Government has to accept the appeal in order to enhance the democratization process in the country as well as for restoring the active participation of the public in the process, as demonstrated during the May 2005 National (Election), said their statement.
“Since everyone including the government, opposition parties and the general public has taken a lesson from the consequences of what followed the May 2005 Elections, government has to accept CUD leaders appeal for amnesty, which has a great impact for the intended creation of national consensus at the beginning of the third Ethiopian Millennium,” the party underlined.
After the CUD leaders received amnesty, UEDP-Medhin also stressed the need for the released CUD leaders to clearly admit their mistakes publicly and rejoin the political activity in the country.
Responding to why UEDP-Medhin has for the first time accepted that the detained CUD leaders have committed crimes after the election, Chairman of UEDP-Medhin, Lidetu Ayalew said: “Since they have confirmed in their appeal letter for amnesty that they have tried to overthrow the government and acted against the constitution of the country, our current view towards the issue has to be based on this letter.”
United Ethiopian Democratic Party-Medhin, Ethiopian Democratic League (EDL), All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP), (UEDP-Medhin), and Rainbow Ethiopia: Movement for Democracy and Social Justice are the four member parties that formed the CUD just before the May 2005 election.
Future relationship between UEDP-Medhin and CUD leaders
According to UEDP-Medhin, the party has no problem in working with its former partners as the issue is more important to the public who have elected them. “In fact, we want the government to give them amnesty that will enable them to take their seats in the parliament and serve the public that elected them,” Lidetu said.
“But the amnesty given by the government and the claim for amnesty has to be from the bottom of their heart,” stressed Lidetu. His party also expects CUD leaders to apologize to the UEDP-Medhin for the negative propagandas that they made against his party when his group decided to join Parliament.
His party’s decision to join the parliament after the election is not something that was decided all of a sudden. The final decision is the result of the increasing differences between the UEDP-Medhin and the rest of the CUD, he declared.
Reversing political frustration
Everyone has contributed to the frustration caused in the political system of the country after the May 2005 National Election, according to UEDP-Medhin. All the opposition and the ruling party, knowingly or unknowingly have played negative role that ended in unfavorable outcomes, according to Lidetu.
“The agitation and propaganda that both of us (EPRDF and opposition parties) used prior to the elections were not appropriate,” Lidetu admitted. The two sides should have focused on the big picture (democratization of Ethiopia) than just winning the election at any cost. “The competition between us shouldn’t have been of patriotism; a situation where one side is trying to free the country from a colony and the colonizer resists,” said Mesfin Mengistu, who is in charge of UEDP-Medhin party affairs. “We forgot to prioritize the need of the public and bring to it political alternative programs that would rather promote and facilitate the country’s journey out of poverty.”
After evaluating the mistakes that UEDP-Medhin and others made, the party has recently come up with a strategy known as the third alternative, which is designed to avoid extremism. According to this strategy, the opposition or support by UEDP-Medhin must be based on the benefit it gives to the development of the democratization process and its relevance in changing the lives of the people and getting out of poverty.
In addition, the new strategy also focuses on creating and increasing supporters that will evaluate issues critically before supporting or opposing views.
The party also plans to recruit new supporters convinced of the need of critical analysis that is based on facts before taking sides on any issue. People have to stop worshiping individuals for their status, such as level of education, wealth or their age, Lidetu said. “We all have to be evaluated by our views and the vision we have set for the betterment of our country.”

Kenya Airways’ top selling travel agents in Kenya

By our staff reporter

Kenya Airways recently gave eight of its top-selling travel agents from Ethiopia a chance to experience firsthand some of what Kenya has to offer.
In an effort to help travel agents better know what they are selling, the airline took selected travel agents on a weekend trip to Mombasa and Nairobi. The agents enjoyed some of the many beautiful places that Kenya offers. The selected travel agents are: All Tour Operations, ABBA Travel, World Travel and Tour, Ben Travel, Eagle Travel, Gashem Travel, Best Travel and Network Travel.
Aklilu Berhanu of Ben Travel, a member of the visiting team, commented that the move by Kenya Airways was a good marketing strategy as travel agents help travellers decide what places to visit, which hotels to stay at and provide information on what to expect once they are there. He said that such an experience helps them describe those places better and in effect, sell Kenya more effectively.
Aklilu also noted that it was too bad for them not to have spent more time in Mombasa as they could have got more information on what one of the highly visited cities in Kenya provides. The short time available did not allow a full exploration of Kenya’s second largest city, Mombasa, but the group enjoyed a lively slice of nightlife.
During their tour of the areas surrounding Nairobi, the group enjoyed the view of the Rift Valley, and spent a day admiring Kenya’s tea plantations, feeding friendly giraffes at the Giraffe Park and wandering around the Nairobi National Park. The enjoyable weekend was topped off with dinner at the world-famous Carnivore – a place that serves not just ordinary meat, but some hard-to-find-elsewhere meat as well.
“Though the group did not have the time to see Maasai Mara, sample a safari or visit one of the many national parks that the country is renowned for, they left with a greater knowledge of what Kenya offers as a tourist destination… and a love for Passion Fruit juice!” said Francis Gachagua, Kenya Airways General Manager.
Kenya Airways Holidays offers packages to exotic African locations such as the Seychelles, Kenya, Zanzibar and more. The airline flies nine times daily to the city of Mombassa from Nairobi.

Century promotion looking for creative ideas
Invites partners for Millennium Eve 2000 Trade Fair and Bazaar

By Kirubel Tadesse

In a consultative meeting held at Hel-Zee restaurant (located inside the Exhibition center), on July 19, 2007, Century Promotion Service (CPS), announced that it seeks partners for the fifteen day exhibition it will organize for the millennium.
General Manager of the CPS, Zewge Jemaneh, said that the promotion service secured the venue in the most competitive bid, paying a record lease price of more than two million birr for the first ten days of the exhibition.Together with the fee for the last five days, the promotion
company paid 2.5 mln birr in total.
Zewge explained that “because of our commitment with the Red Cross during the past year, we have not been able to entirely focus our energy on ‘the Millennium Eve 2000 Trade Fair and Bazaar,’ which will be held in the first half of September.”
According to the manager, 30,000 to 40,000 people are expected to visit the millennium eve 2000 Trade Fair and Bazaar exhibitions daily. The promotion service is hence calling for anyone interested in any area, except HIV awareness programs and supporting needy people’s projects which are already covered by the service, to partner in the event. “We are offering a win win deal,” he added.
Zewge said that his company is looking for creative ideas and entertaining projects which will be hosted on the two world class stages the exhibition center is building.
Artists, singers composers, designers, band owners, promotion service managers and other invited guests attended the consultative meeting.
CPS has been organizing exhibitions and other events since 2001, and has so far held over sixteen events.

Honor professionals too
not just personalities

By Andualem Sisay

A major event to honor two men who have devoted their lives to pursuing the highest professional standards in Ethiopia, is to be staged in Addis by the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).
A dinner is to be held at the Sheraton Addis on Tuesday July 24 to honor Ato Getachew Kassaye, known as ‘the father of the accountancy profession in Ethiopia’ and Professor Johannes Kinfu, Ethiopia’s first professor of accounting.
Professor Johannes Kinfu, alongside ACCA Chief Executive Allen Blewitt, Simon Burdett, ACCA’s Head of Strategic Business Unit -Africa, and Hikmet Abdella, ACCA’s Country Manager in Ethiopia are scheduled to give a press briefing at the Sheraton at 4.30pm the same day.
“Both men we are honouring have devoted many years to helping young Ethiopians develop their knowledge, skills and career opportunities and they are fully deserving of the honour we wish to bestow on them. Rather than celebrating people because they are famous, we believe that individuals such as these deserve greater recognition outside their professions,” said Allen Blewitt, who will be speaking at the dinner, along with Ato Ali Sulaiman, Ethiopia’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commissioner.
According to ACCA’s statement sent to Capital, leading ACCA officers suggest that, rather than adopting the western approach of honoring celebrities who may only be ‘famous for being famous’ Ethiopians should celebrate professionals who have worked to give people careers and made the country more attractive to do business.
ACCA will also be speaking about the development of ACCA’s new qualification, which will be examined for the first time in December and will have professionalism and ethics at its core and is designed to ensure that ACCA students and members are equipped to deal with ethical dilemmas which they may have to face during their careers.
The issue of professionalism and ethics will also be the key theme of ACCA’s Eastern Africa convention in Kampala July 25-28 where a number of leading speakers including Professor Johannes, will address more than 550 delegates from nine countries in the region.

Drain bleeds 36,000 Ethiopian brains

By Andualem Sisay

Thirty-six thousand skilled Ethiopians migrated from the country in just the year 2000, reveals the Least Developed Countries Report 2007, launched on Thursday July 19, 2007.
Among the major reasons for this outflow of skilled persons from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), like Ethiopia are political and economic factors, states the report.
In this global phenomenon of skilled persons’ migration from LDCs to the developed world, 1,261,000 skilled Philippinos left their country followed by 1,022,000 Indians, 906,000 Chinese and 901,000 Mexicans in the year 2000. During this year, Burundi was the country with the least number of skilled emigrants loosing 4,000 skilled persons, followed by Rwanda and Cape Verde each losing 5,000 skilled citizens.
In 2000, the latest year assessed, of the 50 LDCs and other developing countries, Haiti, with an emigration rate of 81.6 per cent is the hardest hit by brain- drain, loosing 92,000 skilled personnel.
Skilled emigration rates are particularly high for countries that were affected by political instability in the 1980s and 1990s as well as the poorest LDCs and small island states.
By contrast, brain drain is less acute in Asian LDCs. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan have lost less than 5% of their skilled persons to developed countries.
Brain drain or “Lost human capital”, as it is sometimes called, can have serious consequences on these countries. The input of skilled professionals is a precondition for upgrading the productive structures and the exports of LDCs, and for improving the sophistication of domestic businesses; not to mention benefits for domestic health and education for entire populations.
Brain drain from LDCs results from complementary forces. Persons with university-level education are attracted overseas by much higher pay in developed countries (in some cases as much as 20 times for corresponding professions), and are spurred to move abroad by bleak work prospects at home. At the same time, industrialized countries actively recruit skilled workers from developing countries, including LDCs, to fill gaps in their labor markets.
Skilled emigration from developing countries including LDCs to developed countries increased by 66% during the 1990s.
Although emigrants usually send money to their home countries, and this has become an important source of foreign revenue for some LDCs - in recent years, remittances have been a larger source of foreign exchange than exports for Bangladesh, Lesotho, Uganda, Senegal, Cape Verde and Samoa - there are few indications that these remittances are used for investment. Instead, they are largely used for consumption, a great portion of which is met with imports. Therefore, this inflow of money apparently contributes little to long-term economic growth in LDCs.
The Report 2007, recommends LDCs to treat brain drain, the emigration of skilled workers, by introducing what it calls brain-circulation, forat least, highly trained workers.
Efforts should be directed at enhancing such “brain circulation” as opposed to brain drain and at increasing the flow of knowledge to LDCs. This will allow the highly trained professionals to come and go between origin and destination countries and to minimize negative impacts on LDCs, according to the report.
This report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), warns LDCs to fight brain drain as it is a serious barrier to using technology to help them expand their economies and raise living standards.
Of the fifty countries designated by the United Nations, Haiti, Cape Verde, Samoa, Gambia and Somalia have lost more than half their university-educated professionals in recent years because these professionals have moved to industrialized countries in search of better working and living conditions. Seven other LDCs have seen more than one third of their trained professionals leave, the report notes.
The absence of enough trained agronomists, biologists, engineers, scientists, doctors, nurses and information and communication technology (ICT) professionals in the firms and farms of LDCs, makes it difficult for them to face foreign competitors, according to the report.
Overall, it is estimated that some one mln skilled persons from LDCs lived and worked in developed countries in 2004, a brain drain of 15%, considering that there are about 6.6 mln people in LDCs who have university-level educations.
The world’s 50 LDCs are more affected by brain drain than are developing countries in general, where the rate of such emigration is below 8%. The emigration of qualified people thus damages long-term growth and development prospects. This is particularly true for LDCs, given their relatively low populations of skilled professionals.
The Least Developed Countries Report 2007 says industrialized countries can help by supporting policies that will help to dampen their demand for those professionals most needed by LDCs. “Favouring temporary recruitment rather than permanent immigration; establishing and enhancing programmes to assist qualified emigrants in returning to their home countries; using official aid programmes to improve working conditions in specific professions in LDCs, such as education and health can be among the measures that can be taken by the developed world,” the report adds.
In the United Kingdom, for instance, policies to reduce the impact of brain drain in the health sector include restrictions on the international recruitment of nurses from countries where their emigration would have negative consequences for the home country.
UNCTAD recommends that LDCs try to keep their trained professionals by providing better employment and career opportunities; that they establish programmes to lure émigrés home, at least for temporary periods, to contribute to domestic economic growth and knowledge; and that they build links with the diaspora in industrialized nations to stimulate flows of technology and know-how.

Youth association awards Al-Amoudi

Final countdown to Commercial Code

Actis to enter Ethiopia

AWD picking up

City land bid prices rocket

Founder of Yenegew Sew to establish a university

CUD leaders finaly freed

Heroes and Saints Mediators promise more amnesty and harmony

PEMPYA to build 21 mln birr college

Beeswax-a resource not to be discarded

Bio Disc trade shoots up

Science, technology not luxury for LDCs: study

Islamic council holds consultation on HIV/AIDS

Disasters causes over 31 mln birr in damages

I-FLEX re-introduces core banking system

Statement of UEDP-Medhin on CUD leaders’ appeal before pardon

Kenya Airways’ top selling travel agents in Kenya

Century promotion looking for creative ideas Invites partners for Millennium Eve 2000 Trade Fair and Bazaar

Honor professionals too not just personalities

Drain bleeds 36,000 Ethiopian brains

Youth association awards Al-Amoudi

Final countdown to Commercial Code

Actis to enter Ethiopia

AWD picking up

City land bid prices rocket

Founder of Yenegew Sew to establish a university

CUD leaders finaly freed

Heroes and Saints Mediators promise more amnesty and harmony

PEMPYA to build 21 mln birr college

Beeswax-a resource not to be discarded

Bio Disc trade shoots up

Science, technology not luxury for LDCs: study

Islamic council holds consultation on HIV/AIDS

Disasters causes over 31 mln birr in damages

I-FLEX re-introduces core banking system

Statement of UEDP-Medhin on CUD leaders’ appeal before pardon

Kenya Airways’ top selling travel agents in Kenya

Century promotion looking for creative ideas Invites partners for Millennium Eve 2000 Trade Fair and Bazaar

Honor professionals too not just personalities

Drain bleeds 36,000 Ethiopian brains

Heroes and Saints
Mediators promise more amnesty and harmony

Science, technology not luxury
for LDCs: study

Century promotion looking for creative ideas
Invites partners for Millennium Eve 2000 Trade Fair and Bazaar

Honor professionals too
not just personalities

Heroes and Saints
Mediators promise more amnesty and harmony

Science, technology not luxury
for LDCs: study

Century promotion looking for creative ideas
Invites partners for Millennium Eve 2000 Trade Fair and Bazaar

Honor professionals too
not just personalities