Ethiopia registering encouraging result in all sectors: Information Minister

Information Minister Berhan Hailu said Ethiopia has registered encouraging result in the economic and other sectors in the last couple of years.
In an exclusive interview with 1998 Ethiopia year book issued by the press and audiovisual department with the Ministry of Information, Berhan said Ethiopian achieved remarkable growth in agricultural, industrial, service, health, education sectors, among others, in 1989 E.C.
He said the country has attained an 11.2 percent growth in the agriculture sector and 7.4 percent growth in the industrial sector.
Berhan said the over all economic growth in 1989 E.C was 9.6 percent and that the growth in all sectors was encouraging.
The minister attributed the success to the aggressive involvement of the government, the public and development partners.
He said the government exerts efforts in the health and education sectors and that the primary education enrollment has reached 91.3 percent while the health coverage 92 percent.
The Minister said the success registered in all sector so far is a manifestation of the government policies strategies and programs, which he said, are sound and correct. (Addis Zemen)
Collaborated efforts vital to resolve the price hike seen in urban areas: Ministry
The ongoing efforts made to improve the living standards of the public through ensuring the substantiality of the economic growth require the collaboration and sacrifice of all citizens in resolving the short-lived problems occurring in the process, the Ministry of Information said.
In its weekly statement sent to the Ethiopian News Agency, the ministry said the government has begun to take various measures to bring down the price escalation seen in urban areas.
Among these measures is the distribution of wheat at subsidized price among the low-income residents of Addis Ababa.
Moreover, additional supportive measures, such as levying surtax on certain imported items, have been take, however, these efforts cannot be fully realized without the collaboration of the society at large.
On the contrary some members of the business community are increasing prices on domestically produced items.
These activities done intentionally to worsen the situation are unacceptable as well as irrelevant to the newly levied surtax on certain imports, it said.
In addition it is revealed that some businesspersons are trying to forge artificial shortages by holding the products amassed in storehouses.
The ministry urged these businesspersons to take corrective measures and come up to the right direction. (ENA)

President Girma calls on all segments society to exert utmost efforts to execute “Two Trees 2000 project”.

President Girma Woldegiorgis called on all segments of society to exert maximum efforts to effectively execute “Two Trees 2000 project”.
Transplantation of seedlings which heralds the commencement of the Ethiopian millennium celebration would be launched as of June 5, 2007.
Opening the “two trees 2000 project” national coordinating committee meeting here at the Institute of Biodiversity Friday, the president said the project is part of the effort launched to reduce poverty.
The president said every citizen should actively take part in the effort well underway to execute the project effectively.
State Minster of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ahmed Nasir, on his part said execution of the project should get prime attention, as it is crucial for agricultural development and environmental conservation.
The Ethiopian Millennium National Council Secretariat Director, Seyoum Berded said on his part nursing seedlings and preparations of sites are well in progress.
Nurturing of seedlings, selection of sites and public awareness activities about the project is well underway in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and South Ethiopia People states.
Afar, Benishagul and Harari states have readied 400,000, two million and 490,000 seedlings, respectively.
Nurturing of 2.7 million seedlings is well in progress in Dire Dawa city, he said. (The Ethiopian Herald)

Admiral Fallon Visits Addis Ababa

Admiral William J.Fallon, the new Commander of the U.S central Command (CENTCOM) visited Addis Ababa from May 10 to 11 while on a tour of several countries in the region, the US embassy in Ethiopia said.
In a press release sent to Capital, the embassy said Admiral Fallon was appointed by President George W.Bush as Commander of U.S Central Command, replacing Army General John P.Abizaid.
While in Addis, Admiral Fallon met Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and other high level officials to discuss bilateral issues, which include security and stability in the region.
They also discussed developments in Somalia, and the horn of Africa in general.
His frequent visit to the region to meet and establish relationship with leaders and senior officials of countries that are strategic partner s of the United States.