Capital

Land for bio-fuel won’t create food shortages- Minister

By Andualem Sisay

Tim Clarke bids Addis ‘Salaam

By Tesfu Telahoun

Israeli to invest on steel and cement factories

By Andualem Sisay

Professor Kinfe Abraha passes away

By Tesfu Telahoun

Eminent academician, historian and writer, Professor Kinfe Abraha, founder of the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD), passed away in Addis Ababa on Thursday, November 8, 2007, aged 57 of natural causes. He is survived by a daughter and his spouse.
Professor Kinfe was born in Adwa, Tigray northern Ethiopia on Oct 20, 1950. He has obtained several academic degrees in Education, Manpower, Managerial Economics, Politics and International Relations. Funeral ceremonies were conducted on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa.

VAT implementation, lack of infrastructure and good governance trouble business in Ethiopia: ECCSA

By Kirubel Tadesse

80 mln Birr stadium for St. George’s

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Nyala earns profit of 10.1 mln birr after taxes
The company introduces crop insurance

By Andualem Sisay

DIWALI lights up Millennium

By our staff reporter

African economists, policy makers to exchange ideas in Addis

By Andualem Sisay

Ethiopia still among the lowest spenders on health: Study

By Kirubel Tadesse

Chinese oil workers to return to Ogaden

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Oil seed exporters influence cooking oil prices

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Millennium stamps to be launched

The Ethiopian Postal Service is to launch 40, 60 cents and 3 ETB new Millennium stamps across the country, on November 15, 2007. The stamps have been produced in Austria and delivered to the postal service.
In related news, a twenty minute documentary entitled “Stamps the face of our history” depicting the historical, political, economic and cultural values of stamps from 1991 to the present will also premier on the launch date.

Keangnam’s Seosan Scholarship Foundation awards Ethiopian students

Jimma University to host third national Moot Court Competition

By Kirubel Tadesse

Company selects electric bus routes

By Andualem Sisay

MOE suspends upgrading 10+3 to degree level

By Kirubel Tadesse

People living on less than 50 cents a day reach 162 million: IFPRI

By Andualem Sisay

CARE plans Women empowerment for 2012

By Muluken Yewondwossen

KVO builds feeding center

By Muluken Yewondwossen

US to open military headquarters for Africa

By Andualem Sisay

UN Deputy Secretary General visits Biruh-Tesfa

By Addis Mulugeta

Emirates expands operations in Addis Ababa

By Addis Mulugeta

British Embassy launches millennium book

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Land for bio-fuel won’t create food shortages- Minister

By Andualem Sisay

The Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced that government’s allocation of 24 million hectares of land for jantropha farms for by bio-fuel crops does not have negative impact on the country’s food security.
According to Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Mines and Energy, who briefed journalists on Friday, November 9, 2007 at the Hilton Addis, the plan will not share harvesting land. “Our plan will have no negative impact on the crop production of the country as the land allocated for bio-fuel will neither be convenient for farming or grazing,” he said.
“While our development endeavor is being challenged by the continuous hike of crude oil prices, we don’t have to sit back and look at the bare land we have. In addition, filling the bare land with jantropha will improve environmental degradation in the area and provides natural fertilizer to the land,” the Minister stressed.
So far, some 17 companies with a maximum of 100 hectares of plot each are registered to invest in generating bio-fuel from jantropha and other plants and individual farmers will benefit from this plan, according to Alemayehu.
Sinkinesh Ejigu, State Minister of Mines and Energy, on her part also stated that with the objective of searching and using energy as the leading sector for social and economic development of the country, six foreign oil exploration companies are engaged in exploration of natural oil in various parts of the country.
Another local company whose study has identified the presence of crude oil around the Abay river area is also looking for foreign partners to start exploration.
In a related development, Gilgel-Gibe II Hydroelectric Power Generation plant will start generating 420 Megawatts of electric power at the end of 2008. The Minister of Mines and Energy noted that the project that experienced unexpected difficulties and was unable to be completed in the time table previously set, has all its problems solved now.
The existing power generation in the country produces only some 800 Megawatts, although the country has a potential of producing 45,000 megawatts of hydropower. Taking into consideration the untapped hydropower potential that stands the country in second place in the continent next to Democratic Republic of Congo, various bilateral interconnections are planned by the government to sell power to Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya.
The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation has targeted to increase the existing 22 per cent electricity coverage of the country to 50 per cent after five years.
He also stated that within one year, the Ministry will introduce a blending mechanism of ethanol fuels with petroleum that will be used by automobiles. Eight million liters of ethanol fuel is expected to be produced annually by the time the expansion of government owned four sugar factories: Metehara, Wenji, Fincha and Tendaho sugar factories is concluded.

Tim Clarke bids Addis ‘Salaam

By Tesfu Telahoun

Tim Clarke, Head of the European Commission to Ethiopia has concluded a three and half year term and is to depart to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on December 1, 2007 where he will be assuming a similar position. Tim Clarke was appointed to Addis Ababa in June 2004 and has acquired a reputation for efficiency and media accessibility as well as for being a good boss. His spouse Anna has also been an active member of the expatriate community during their stay here and served as the Chairperson of the Ambassador’s Wives Club, which holds regular charity bazaars.
Tim Clarke has had an eventful stay in Addis Ababa and has participated on numerous official public and private occasions and his witty charm will be missed.
Capital’s efforts to learn the identity of who will replace Tim Clarke as Head of the European Commission to Ethiopia were inconclusive as sources can only confirm that the name of a British - Caribbean baroness has been mentioned in Brussels, seat of the European Union.

Israeli to invest on steel and cement factories

By Andualem Sisay

An Israeli company, Avornigia Technologies Ltd Ethiopia, is to invest on cement and steel factories in Ethiopia.
Following the registration of the branch company in Ethiopia with 10 mln birr capital, Avornigia has secured the plot it needs for construction of the factories last week. In its early stagse, the company plans to create jobs for upto 50 employees.
As construction activity in the country is increasing, the number of both local and foreign investors who are attracted to manufacturing of construction inputs is showing a tremendous increment.
Out of the 181 foreign investment projects licensed to foreign investors in September 2007, more than half are engaged in construction and the manufacture of construction sector inputs.
In a related development, another Israeli national is also investing on two projects: a five star hotel and farming of vegetable fruits and stevia for export in Oromia Region, with both projects expected to create a combined 7,500 jobs.
The investor has been working on both projects since it has been registered seven months ago as Prime Business Resort Hotels plc and Organitech Agriculture and Industries plc with an investment capital of some 660 mln birr.

Professor Kinfe Abraha passes away

By Tesfu Telahoun

VAT implementation, lack of infrastructure and good governance trouble business in Ethiopia: ECCSA

By Kirubel Tadesse

The Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (ECCSA) has distributed its ‘National Business Agenda’ and plans to discuss it in a public private forum. The study conducted by the Ethiopian Economists Association in sixteen major cities revealed seven obstacles that are harming business and investment across the country.
Ever since the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT), its irregular implementation has been a major problem, states the study. The lack of infrastructures and good governance, seen especially in the regions, harmed most businesses and now its fair and regular implementation is a demand of most business people, says the study. Despite encouraging steps by the government, corruption is still pulling back business by creating unfair competition and inefficient services from governmental institutions.
According to the study, education related business owners demand equal job opportunity for their graduates. The national business agenda explained that most private college graduates are excluded or discouraged from claiming positions in governmental institutions. The decision of the Ministry of Education not to entertain teachers from non-governmental colleges in governmental education institutions, alleged ban of private medical field graduates from working in governmental health institutions and other related polices are harming the investments and business of the private education sector, which is expected to entertain thousands who do not get the opportunity to join government universities. According to ECCSA public relations office, seventy per cent of the study’s expense was covered by the Center for International Private Enterprise, based in the USA and the remaining by ECCSA.
The National Business Agenda which ECCSA says is a vital tool for the business community to encourage investment and stimulate economic growth is added to the last six months performance of the new management which was reestablished and has elected eleven board members. On a press conference Getachew Ayenew, president of ECCSA, gave on Saturday November 9, 2007 at the association hall, he announced that a five year strategic plan has been prepared and approved by the board. He explained that out of the five year strategic plan, this year’s part aims to facilitate dialogue and means for the business community to hold talks with government, add and maintain members of the association.
Getachew said ECCSA welcomes and appreciates government’s decision to mark export day annually and award forty three exporters. He called on the business community to engage in fair business competition, and to give sincere and efficient service to the society so that the efforts to put Ethiopia among middle income countries can be realized.

80 mln Birr stadium for St. George’s

By Muluken Yewondwossen

St. George’s Sport Club general manager Ato Solomon Bekele has indicated that the club has finished preconditions and soon will embark on construction of the stadium of 80 million ETB which had been planned to be built two years ago, around the CMC area.
According to Solomon, the ‘Saints’ stadium will be built by JIC, a Chinese construction company that has accumulated experience in stadium building. The arena is to be built to FIFA standards and has twenty-two thousand seats. It also boasts clinics, meeting, rest and VIP rooms. The construction work is expected to take two years. “We received 50 hectares two years ago from the Addis Ababa Land Authority, but we still need another 10 hectares,” Solomon told Capital.
“Three of our experts including engineer Solomon Ferede, who is the project consultant, were in China for one week up to November 4, 2007, to visit stadiums built by JIC and to discuss with the company’s officials about construction of the stadium. We are now waiting for their report about the week long study tour in China,” he concluded.
The stadium is to be constructed with 80 per cent of cost covered by Sheik Mohamed Al Amoudi and the balance to be contributed by the club’s numerous supporters.

Nyala earns profit of 10.1 mln birr after taxes
The company introduces crop insurance

By Andualem Sisay

Nyala Insurance Share Company has announced that it has earned 10.1 mln birr in net profits after tax from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.
This was indicated at the 13th Ordinary Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on Saturday November 10, 2007 held at the Sheraton Addis. The board has decided that nine mln birr of the profit is to be distributed to shareholders in dividend payments.
Last year, the company also earned a profit of 10 mln birr. The company has now 24 branches and contact offices in all the regions of the country including in Afar, which makes it the first to open a contact office in the region.
In a related development, in collaboration with its international re-insurers, Nyala Insurance has begun multi-peril crop insurance with 120 rain-fed agriculture farmers at different scaled premiums.
Although there was an initiative by another insurance company to ensure farmers during droughts only, Nyala Insurance is the pioneer in Ethiopia to start multi risk insurance with small-hold farmers.
The pilot program was started with individual farmers who are members of Lome Adama Cooperative and insures the current season’s wheat, teff and chickpea farms from natural catastrophes such as floods, drought, etc.
“In a country with about 80 per cent of the total population dependent on agriculture, we can’t meet any development objectives unless we are able to reach this huge part of the society,” says Eyob Meherette, General Manager of Nyala Insurance.
Eyob strongly believes that the introduction of such insurance to individual farmers will enable them to increase productivity by encouraging them to use modern agricultural in puts such as fertilizers and pesticides.
“If a farmer knew that he/she will get insurance compensation in case of natural catastrophe, they don’t hesitate to use any modern agricultural inputs that will improve their productivity and bring sustainable change in their lives,” he says.
Studies show that the average insurance coverage per capita in Africa has reached 53 USD, while in Ethiopia insurance coverage per capita is one USD. “This reveals how much potential and market is left unexploited by insurance companies in Ethiopia,” says the General Manager.

DIWALI lights up Millennium

By our staff reporter

Diwali (Festival of Lights) was celebrated at the Lalibela Ballroom of Sheraton Addis on November 9, 2007 with a glittering gala banquet accompanied with live performances by the Bihu Dance Troupe from India as well as the African Twisters duo from Ethiopia.
The festival of Diwali is associated with lights and is celebrated in India as an expression of happiness and by traders also to mark the new financial year.
Diwali is held throughout the vastness of India as each state celebrates it in its own fashion symbolizing unity in diversity – the hallmark of India.
On the occasion, H.E. Gurjit Singh, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Ethiopia welcomed the invited guests, which included Addis Ababa Mayor Berhane Deressa, Minister of Tourism, Mohamed Dirir, State Minister of Industry, Tadesse Haile, The Executive Secretary of the UNECA, Abdoulie Janneh, and other members of the diplomatic corps and dignitaries.
In his opening address, Ambassador Singh stated that Diwali is an important holiday in more than just its symbolic connotation of renewal and hope in that it generates up to 10 billion dollars a year as Indians purchase gifts for their loved ones, making the holiday a great economic opportunity.
On behalf of the Hindu Community in Addis Ababa, Mr. Kotari in his address stated his appreciation of the unstinting efforts of Ambassador Singh in his commitment to enhance Ethio-India relations. He cited that among the achievements by the Ambassador have been organizing numerous events on various topical matters and attracting and facilitating millions of dollars in investment to Ethiopia by Indian entrepreneurs.
It was noted that the celebration of Diwali this year by the Indian Embassy comprises part of the series of events linking the new Ethiopian Millennium with the 60th anniversary year of India’s independence.
Among the brief speeches given by the dignitaries, Tourism Minister Mohamed Dirir commented that the theme of bright lights is one that is consistent in all faiths, thereby affirming the oneness of the human spirit.
The State Minister of Industry, Tadesse Haile, on his part lauded the rapidly developing trade relations between India and Ethiopia and expressed his hopes of an even brighter future in bilateral relations.
The banqueting guests were treated to a fascinating Bihu Dance group performing Diwali dedicated dances to great appreciation.
It was the African Twisters, Taye and Netsanet - an Ethiopian Dance duo - however which almost stole the show with an athletic and acrobatic performance that on occasion raised gasps from the audience.
Diwali 2007 in Addis Ababa was well attended in a vibrant and colorful celebration, the sentiment of which will serve to bring the two sisterly countries ever closer as they continue to strengthen social economic and government to government bonds.

African economists, policy makers to exchange ideas in Addis

By Andualem Sisay

African economists and policy makers are to exchange ideas on economic issues at the 2nd African Economic Conference to be held from 15-17 November 2007, at the UN Conference Centre in Addis Ababa.
Improving access to information and research on economic issues and enhancing the quality of economic policy-making in Africa is the main objective of the conference that the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) are organizing.
The conference is being convened under the theme: Opportunities and Challenges of Development for Africa in the Global Arena. According to the statement sent to Capital from the ECA, the conference is expected to provide an opportunity for African academics and policymakers to exchange views on economic development problems and challenges facing Africa.
It is also expected that the annual conference will give participants a welcome opportunity to present their work, interact with other professionals in the field, and learn about the most recent developments in economic techniques, policies and analyses. 65 papers will be presented at the parallel sessions.
The President of the African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka and the Executive Secretary of the ECA, Abdoulie Janneh, are expected to address the conference to be attended by 400 participants.
Speakers at the three plenary sessions include the eminent economists Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Prof. Paul Collier and Prof. Robert Wade.
It was in 2006 that the AfDB and the ECA agreed to organize annual conferences of African and development economists to provide a forum for exchange of ideas.

Ethiopia still among the lowest spenders on health: Study

By Kirubel Tadesse

Ethiopia is still among countries with low expenditure for health, characterized by unequal distribution, high concentration of funding on specific vertical programs, inefficient utilization of available resources and low absorption capacity, explained the study presented at the second international congress of Dermatology Care, which opened on November 6, 2007 at the Italian Institute of Culture.
The paper presented at the congress entitled, “Working together towards the achievement of MDG’s in Ethiopia”, explains that Ethiopia is even a lowest spender when compared to other sub-Saharan countries which spend more than twenty USD per capita on average. Ethiopia’s expenditure is limited to less than ten USD per capita.
The paper forwarded that there is a mixed picture in Ethiopia regarding the progress in achieving MDG’s; good progress towards achievement of some MDG’s and slow progress in indicators related to MDG, low level and slow progress in percentage of deliveries assisted by skilled personnel and also slow progress in Tuberculosis detection rate. It was also noted that the Italian Cooperation which is under development to be executed between the years 2008-2012 puts the health sector as a priority area.
According to Italy’s National Institution of Heath, Migration, and Poverty (NIHMP), skin diseases in Africa represents an emerging problem with social and economical implications because of some serious conditions which primarily affect the skin like Lymphatic node disorder, Filariasis and Leprosy which can then rise to long-term disability. Taking the Ethiopia Tigray region as an example, it was shown that skin infections are among the top ten disease burdens and cause serious illness in people who are affected. In Tigray Region, which has over four million inhabitants, there are no specialists in dermatology and infectious diseases. HIV infection spreading contributes to determine the high prevalence of skin diseases, especially with peculiar and rare clinical manifestations. NIHMP President, Prof Aldo Morrone told Capital that the aim of congress is to provide an update of the most important tropical diseases, cutaneous mycobacteriosis, HIV and STTs, ethnic dermatology, cosmetic and plastic dermatology. He added that even if ‘a lot still needed to be done,’ Ethiopia is likely to meet the MDGs.
After twenty years of collaboration with the Ethiopian government and local NGOs, IISMAS, (International Institute for Social, Medical, and Anthropological Sciences) together with San Gallica Demagogical Institute has opened the first dermatological hospital of Ethiopia. The Hospital has been operational since January 2005 giving inpatient and outpatient services free of charge. The Second International Congress entitled “Dermatological Care for All: A basic Human Right” after its one day conference at the Italian Institute of Culture, continued for another three days in Mekele.

Chinese oil workers to return to Ogaden

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Chinese oil workers who left the Ogaden region after the late April killing of nine Chinese and 65 Ethiopians exploring for natural gas, will return to continue their work in the area, Chinese Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Lin Lin disclosed at a press briefing held in connection with the first year anniversary Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Chinese Embassy on November 8, 2007.
Victims of the attack claimed by Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) worked for Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau under the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation.
The Ambassador stressed economic ties between China and Africa on the day marking their cooperation. According to Mr. Lin, the Chinese government has proclaimed eight measures in a bid to enhance pragmatic cooperation and promote African’s development. These include doubling China’s 2006 development assistance to Africa by 2009 on all round economic and social development, providing USD 3 billion of preferential loans and USD 2 billion of preferential export buyer’s credit to Africa in the next three years, in order to strengthen its cooperation with African countries and help them increase self-developing capacity, strengthening infrastructure construction and building manufacturing enterprises. The establishment of the China-Africa Development Fund is a measure that China carried out after the FOCAC summit on March 14, 2007, with China Development Bank to provide initial funding of USD 1 billion. Other steps are to assist the AU in the building of a modern international conference center. The design developed by Tongji University of Shanghai will be launched next month,” Yin Hong, an official of the China Embassy told Capital.
The other measures include canceling all interest-free government loans which Africa’s heavily indebted poor countries and least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China have failed to repay in due time by the end of 2005; further opening up its market to Africa by increasing export items to China from 190 to over 440 with zero tariff treatment from the African least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China; establishing 3 to 5 overseas trade and economic cooperation zones in African countries in the next three years and strengthening cooperation in areas such as human resource development, agriculture, medical care, social development and education.
Mr. Lin said, “We believe that the Chinese and African side will continue to cooperate with each other and enhance coordination in the implementation of the follow up actions of the summit, to further advance the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.”
According to Ambassador Lin, China is emerging to be one of Ethiopia’s major trade partners. In 2006 the two way trade volume was estimated to be USD 562 million, illustrating an increase of more than five times in five years. From January to September this year, the figure shot up to some 660 USD million. In 2007, zero tariff treatment for Ethiopia’s exports to China expanded to 442 items. The Ambassador noted that Economic cooperation is clear evidence of the deepening relations. It can be recalled that merely 14 Chinese companies invested some 10 million USD in Ethiopia by the year 2003. Now, according to statistics from the Ethiopian Investment Authority, by July this year, China directly invested on 363 projects totaling 3.99 billion ETB. Some 22,100 Ethiopians are employed by these Chinese enterprises on a permanent basis and 22,500 temporarily.

Oil seed exporters influence cooking oil prices

By Muluken Yewondwossen

The price of cooking oil is increasing due to the rising prices of inputs and the competition from oil producers and oil seed exporters, as stated at a general meeting of the Association of Owners of Edible Oil Mills of Ethiopia on November 8, 2007, at King Hotel.
“The main purpose of this meeting is to find a solution to produce standardized food oil for society, survive the market competition against imported food oil and transfer the crude food oil extract producer to edible oil producer,” Board Secretary, Mulugeta Tegene told participants.
Ato Mulat Abegaze, chairman of Addis Ababa private edible oil producers, stated on the meeting that Ethiopian Quality and Standards Authority has decided to close illegal crude food oil producers as of from July 2007.
“If government wants to develop this industry, it must support or give loans for oil producers.” One producer gave his opinion on the meeting that oil produced in Ethiopia covers only 30 per cent of demand and there are 121 illegal oil producers in Amhara, Oromia and Benshangul Gumz regional states that also sell to Addis.
According to the Ethiopian Quality and Standards Authority, there are only 12 industries that use a modern chemical and mechanical production process.
The oil that is imported, smuggled in or distributed by aid organizations has a negative influence on their market, food oil producers complained at the meeting.
They said that government should support them in stabilizing the market and obtaining oil seeds for their production.

Millennium stamps to be launched

Keangnam’s Seosan Scholarship Foundation awards Ethiopian students

Korea’s fifty six year old leading construction company, Keangnam Enterprises Ltd, has awarded fifty five thousand USD to 110 Ethiopian university students through its Seosan Scholarship Foundation.
The fifty five thousand USD will be used to cover the cost sharing fees they pay for the government and to cover educational materials and other needed expenses yearly up to graduation. The Scholarship Award Certificates were handed to the students by Dr. Sintayehu W/ Michael, Minister of Education and Woan-Jong Seong, Founder and Chairman of Keangnam Enterprises, at the Education Ministry hall on Wednesday October 7, 2007.
Ten from Addis Ababa, twenty one from Arba Minch, thirty seven from Gondar, thirty one from Awassa and eleven from Mekele universities won the scholarships based on the assessment taken considering their highest grade and financially unenviable condition. Seong Woan-Jong congratulated the winners and expressed his hope that the scholarships will become a lifetime incentive for many of the Ethiopian students to find their ambition and passion to achieve great dreams. He added, “We hope that this scholarship will help and contribute great ideas to Ethiopia and the rest of the world. Please remember that Seosan Scholarship Foundation of Keangnam Enterprises is always cheering for you.”
One of the scholarship winners from Mekele University told Capital that it would have been very difficult to attend his education since his family isn’t able to cover even his transportation expense. He added, “There are so many students who are financially challenged in our campus. This kind of Scholarship helps challenged students to focus on their education so they can be successful and become productive parts of society.”
Another winner from Addis Ababa University said, “It is a great opportunity to receive the scholarships as we don’t even have to leave our country to benefit from it. Seosan has offered us the scholarship which will enable us to continue our education in the universities we are already attending. It also benefits our country since there is no risk of losing professionals attending their education in Ethiopia.”
Keangnam Enterprises Co., Ltd. is a Korea-based company engaged in the provision of construction services. The Company has four main divisions: architecture, which offers various construction works, covering public buildings, offices and commercial buildings; Civil Engineering Works, which builds roads, highways, bridges, subways and railways; Housing, which is involved in the construction of apartments, buildings, villas, houses and sports complexes; as well as Plant, which constructs energy, petrochemical and thermal plants. The Company’s headquarters are located in Seoul.

Jimma University to host third national Moot Court Competition

By Kirubel Tadesse

Jimma University will host the National Moot Court Competition next week from November 16-18, 2007. The National Moot Court Competition is on its third event and planned to be an annual competition among law schools in the country. The competition is organized by APAP, a local NGO based in Addis.
According to Alemayehu Fantaw, Research and Publications and Moot Courts Coordinator, the theme of the forthcoming event is the right to education. He added, “The purpose of the moot court competition is two-fold; on the one hand, it gives law students the opportunity to put to practice in a seemingly open court of law the theories, skills, and techniques that they have learnt in classrooms and on the other hand, they avail themselves of the opportunity to orchestrate to the public that economic, social, and cultural rights are justifiable.” He told Capital that eight major law schools of the country will each send three students for the competition and federal judges will see the cases.
Capital learned that Assefa Kesito, Minister of Justice, Menberetsehay Tadesse, Vice President of the Federal Supreme Court and COMESA Judge and Professor Andreas Eshete, President of Addis Ababa University, and UNESCO Chairperson for Human Rights and Democracy are among the expected VIPs expected to attend the closing ceremony of the National Moot Court Competition on Sunday October 18, 2007.
The two pervious National Court Competitions were hosted by Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar Universities. The first competition which was hosted by Addis Ababa University in February 2006 focused upon the right to housing. The Law School at Addis Ababa University won the oral litigation while Jimma University won the pleadings. Bahir Dar University hosted the second, which focused upon the right to health, back in November 2006. On this occasion, Jimma University stood out as having the best law school in the country as it won both in the oral and pleadings categories and will defend its title in next week’s competition. Capital learnt that Jimma University will also launch the maiden issue of its law journal on the closing date of the event.

Company selects electric bus routes

By Andualem Sisay

Rus-Afro Trolley Bus plc, an Ethio-Russia electric bus manufacturing company registered in Ethiopia with 160 mln USD capital, has chosen the first two lines that will be used by its electric buses in Addis Ababa.
According to Getachew Eshetu, 50 per cent share holder, the company has chosen two lines from the three it was offered by transport authorities.
The first line chosen by the company starts from Mexico square and goes through Torhayloch and ends at Ayertena, while the second will begin from Ayertena through the ring road to the General Wingate area.
The company’s officials will meet tomorrow, November 12, 2007, with Mayor Birhane Deressa of Addis Ababa to sign a concluding agreement. It is also planning to start training drivers for the trolley bus in collaboration with the Ethiopian Transport Authority.
Getachew said: “As the inhabitants of Addis Ababa are now facing huge transportation problem, we are planning to start the service as quickly as possible.”
“In order to start the service within a short span, we are planning to change the old Anbessa bus carriages which are no more in service into trolleys after negotiating with the concerned authorities” he said.
Appreciating the support that the company is getting from the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation and transport authorities, Getachew in an exclusive interview with Capital, urged all concerned offices to support the realization of this new technology in Ethiopia that will save the environment from pollution and solve the transportation problems of the country.
After introducing the technology in Addis Ababa, the company is also planning to reach other cities of the country and neighboring countries. The company is currently undertaking construction of a trolley bus factory in Debremarkos, Amhara Region.

MOE suspends upgrading 10+3 to degree level

By Kirubel Tadesse

The Ministry of Education (MOE) on Wednesday November 7, 2007 has announced that any form of admission of 10+3 graduates to the degree level program is strictly forbidden until a new guide line is issued in which admission will be valid. On a press conference Dr. Sintayehu W/ Michael, Minister of Education, gave at his office, he stressed that there is no study or plan to make any kind of policy change but only considering an appropriate method on how to upgrade 10+3 technical and vocational graduates to a degree level program.
He added, “any kind of admission of students from 10+3 program directly to degree program is an unlawful act and if there are any private or governmental institutions that register students upgrading them to degree level, necessarily legal measures will be taken since it doesn’t only break the law but also wastes the student’s money.”
The time frame for the introduction of this new guide line that qualifies 10+3 graduate students to degree level is uncertain, but Dr. Sintayehu W/ Michael explains that the Ministry will try to speed up the process as much as possible to benefit last year’s graduates so that they can continue their education this academic year. Even if he did not discuss details of the guide, he noted that students’grade will have an important role to play whether a 10+3 graduate qualifies for a degree program or not.
Capital asked if there are any efforts from the Ministry to address the complaints by private college graduates that most government institutions are not willing to accept job applicants from private colleges .
The Minister replied that his ministry couldn’t tell any one whom to hire but expressed his hope that any evaluation would be based on personal basis than institutions of graduation. He added that a right to work and to claim any position is a basic right as long as the applicant is qualified for the position as per the requirement. Private college graduates have told Capital that when MOE banned graduates of private colleges from teaching in governmental institutions, it opened the door for other governmental institutions to do the same and exclude any graduates of non-governmental institutions. Dr. Sintayehu W/ Michael explained that the MOE only did that to maintain its institutions’ quality of education, which can be achieved only if it can clearly define and monitor a standard for its teachers; which is only possible in governmental institutions since it personally runs and monitors them.

People living on less than 50 cents a day reach 162 million: IFPRI

By Andualem Sisay

A new study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) reveals that 162 million of the world’s poorest people, the ultra poor, survive on less than 50 cents a day.
According to the report released this week following the international conference, Taking Action for the World’s Poor and Hungry People, facilitated by IFPRI in Beijing, China last month, despite much progress in reducing poverty worldwide, a substantial number of the world’s poorest people are being left behind.
The report, The world’s most deprived: characteristics and causes of extreme poverty and hunger, finds that if concentrated in a single nation, the poor would comprise the world’s seventh most populous country.
According to Akhter Ahmed, IFPRI senior research fellow and lead author of the report, about one billion people today live on less than a dollar a day.
He said: “However, this number masks a multitude of people living in varying degrees of poverty-all of them poor, but as this research shows, some even more desperately poor than others.”
The daily challenges faced by the ultra poor can, over time, lead to poverty traps - conditions from which individuals or groups cannot emerge without outside assistance. The report identifies three common causes of poverty traps: inability of poor families to invest in the education of their children; limited access to credit for those with few assets; and reduced productivity due to malnutrition.
In the poorest households, children are less likely to go to school and have fewer chances for a more secure future. Poverty and hunger inherited at birth, or resulting from unexpected events, can also persist for years.
These circumstances - particularly serious illness - explain the descent of many households into extreme poverty. Additionally, the exclusion of certain groups, such as ethnic minorities, disadvantaged castes and tribes, and those suffering from ill-health and disability, prevents much-needed access to resources and markets and increases the likelihood of poverty.
“New and different action is urgently needed to improve the livelihoods of the world’s poorest people. Measures to promote pro-poor growth need to be combined with effort and action for social protection,” said Joachim von Braun, IFPRI director general.
The report is the first to use household poverty data from 1990 to 2004 to look below the dollar-a-day poverty line and examine who the poorest people are, where they live, and how they have fared over time.
Three categories of poverty in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa were examined in the study: subjacent poor (those living on between $0.75 and $1 a day), medial poor (those living on between $0.50 and $0.75 a day), and ultra poor (those living on less than $0.50 a day).
The report also highlighted that across developing regions, poverty reduction has differed markedly. East Asia and the Pacific experienced a substantial reduction in the number of people living at all levels of poverty, including the poorest.
In South Asia, there has been a significant decrease in the number of people living on less than 50 cents a day, while poor people living closer to the dollar-a-day line fared much better.
However, ultra poverty rates have fallen only minimally in Sub-Saharan Africa and the region is currently home to three-quarters of the world’s poorest people.
The report also finds that despite a global trend of poverty shifting toward urban centers, poverty is still most acute and widespread in rural areas. Poverty rates are at least twice as high in rural areas, and the ultra poor are nearly four times more likely to live in rural areas than in urban areas.
“The dismally slow progress in reaching people living in ultra poverty clearly shows that ‘business as usual’ is not good enough,” said Ruth Vargas Hill, IFPRI researcher and co-author of the study.
“Reaching the poorest people within an acceptable timeframe requires all members of the international community, from policymakers to civil society, to take action. Knowing who the poorest people are, where they live, and the unique challenges they face is an essential first step.”

CARE plans Women empowerment for 2012

By Muluken Yewondwossen

In this male dominated society, "We will work so hard to ensure that women be empowered in their community in 2012, said Lydia Marshal, director of CARE International, speaking at the award ceremony on November 8, 2007, at Hilton Addis.
"We want to do more in Ethiopia and other countries to solve educational, poverty and health problems." Lydia told Capital. "We help women to get heard both by the government and their community," She added.
Although CARE continues to carry out emergency feeding, the focus of its work in Ethiopia has shifted beyond emergency relief to longer term rehabilitation and development.
In Addis Ababa, CARE is reducing the number of children who are infected with HIV at birth by raising awareness about HIV and AIDS and how it can be prevented among women of childbearing age.
CARE is working with schools, communities and local government in Ethiopia to improve access to primary education, especially among children in disadvantaged circumstances - such as children of pastoralists in remote, difficult to reach areas, and girls, who are less likely to attend school, and helping pastoralists in remote areas to improve access to food by helping them to develop better ways of raising livestock and building water tanks. CARE is also helping women of the community to find new ways of earning a living, such as by producing handicraft products.

KVO builds feeding center

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Korean International Volunteer Organization (KVO) has inaugurated a feeding center in Debre Zeit town, at a cost of four hundred thousand ETB on November 10, 2007.
The city's deputy mayor laid a corner stone for a youth recreation center that is to be built at a cost of four million ETB in the same compound.
KVO feeds more than six hundred fifty orphaned children daily in Addis Ababa and Debre Zeit.
KVO provides local people in its target region with emergency aid and relief goods, which include clothing, medicine and food. The organization is dedicated to help those who are suffering from malnutrition and disease by sending relief goods collected from wealthier regions trying to balance the gap between the rich and the poor.
"500 Loving Meals" is a KVO program which serves or supports poor children in the world to make them have a proper meal. The organization also works to support children take school education and be competent Ethiopians in the future through the formation of the education connection programs or "1000 Angels Program", which provides the opportunity for one Korean family to connect or form a relation with one child in Ethiopia.
Korea International Volunteer Organization (KVO) is an international Non-Governmental Organization established in 1988 and has been supporting underdeveloped countries in the area of medical service, welfare activities, education, emergency relief for sustainable development as well as domestic welfare, culture, and environment of those countries. KVO is a corporate organization with the purpose of contributing to international cooperation and world peace. It obtained Special Consultative Status in the UN ECOSOC in 2002.

US to open military headquarters for Africa

By Andualem Sisay

The United States is to open a new US Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Africa which will be accountable to the Secretary of Defense and responsible for the US military relations with 53 countries on the continent.
According to General William E. “Kip” Ward, who was confirmed as AFRICOM’s first commander by the US Senate on September 28, the opening of this new headquarters shows sustained and committed engagement of the US with Africa and to reinforce the positive development in the continent.
“This is the right time for the US and Africa to link,” he said briefing journalists on Thursday, November 8, 2007 after conferring with African Union (AU) Commissioner Alpha Omar Konare and other AU Officials.
“Our intent is to make as seamless as possible the transfer of activities from the European, Central and Pacific Commands to USAFRICOM. USAFRICOM will build partnerships to enhance the work of Africans in providing for their own security.”
General Ward, who stressed that the formation of this command is cognizant of the need and goals of African states individually and the AU, said that it will also reduce the confusion that occurred when the US was running its operations in Africa from three different commands.
Currently, the US is deliberating with partner nations and the AU to determine the best presence for this US Africa Command.
The new command will take over all the activities being undertaken by US European Command, which had the responsibility for most of the nations in the African mainland except in the Horn of Africa. Leaving operations implemented in Egypt and Yemen under US Central Command, the new post will overtake all operations in Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya.
In addition, the new command will also replace the duties of US Pacific Command, which had responsibility for Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Indian Ocean area of the African coast.
Disaster preparedness exercises, capacity building, medical and security reform exercises are among the activities that had been undertaken in the past and planned to continue under this single command.
There are also planned activities such as maritime and air force security, military funding and training, counter terrorism like trans-Sahara counter terrorism, international military education and training and US-Africa Military exercises

UN Deputy Secretary General visits Biruh-Tesfa

By Addis Mulugeta

UN Deputy Secretary General, Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, has visited Biruh Tesfa (Bright-Future), a jointly supported project by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Population Council, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in Addis Ababa on Sunday November, 4, 2007.
Biruh Tesfa is a program for adolescent girls in the Mercato area of Addis Ababa and has been designed for school dropout girls by creating safe spaces through which they can build support networks with other girls and supportive adults. This was disclosed by the coordinator, Habtamu Demissie, during the briefing he gave on the occasion. According to Habtamu, currently the project lists 522 beneficiaries, of which 301 are domestic workers, 130 living with relatives and 91 staying with one or both parents.
Ato Habtamu added, “The project has availed the beneficiaries with non-formal education by trained adult monitors, life skill training focusing on reproductive health, lessons on HIV/AIDS, hygiene, overall health and medical checkup and domestic work club. Some cases are also referred to the local kebele Women Affairs Department so that the women obtain legal aid. Ato Habtamu added that the overall objective of this activity is to develop and implement evidence based intervention for vulnerable adolescent girls in urban areas of Ethiopia, focusing on increasing their sexual security, safety, social safety-net and sense of well-being. One of the most important activities the project has conducted was the provision of information and awareness creation activities to the inhabitants of Kebele 13/15 about the project activities and overall objectives.
Dr Asha-Rose said after concluding her visit, ‘I am happy to learn that the government of Ethiopia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is supporting this most invisible and vulnerable group of adolescent girls. “She also stated that the United Nations, through UNFPA, is committed to supporting such important initiatives such as addressing gender inequality, child exploitation, and vulnerable populations.
This is her first official visit to Ethiopia since her appointment to the position of United Nations Deputy Secretary General.
Dr.Asha Rose Migiro of Tanzania was named Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations on February 1, 2007. She is the third Deputy Secretary General to be appointed since the post was established in 1997.
Dr. Migiro served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from 2006-2007 and she was the first woman in the United Republic of Tanzania to hold that position since independence in 1961. Before that, she was Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children for five years.

Emirates expands operations in Addis Ababa

By Addis Mulugeta

Emirates Airlines has inaugurated a new extension to its office at Dembel City Center on Thursday, November 8, 2007.
Emirates has expressed that the opening of its new office which occupies three floors in the heart of the city will increase the facilitation of its services in Addis Ababa. Adnan Kazim, Emirates vice President, Africa, said, “The office is a sign of Emirates’ confidence in the Ethiopian market and its dedication to customers from Addis Ababa who now have access to over 90 destinations in Emirates’ global network”.
Emirates’ manager for Ethiopia, Mr Sudhir Sreedharan added, “We hope that customers will enjoy the new service available with the expansion of our office. We have worked towards improving our customers’ experience on the ground with dedicated counters and subsequently less waiting time”. Adnan Kazim explained that Emirates had begun service to Addis Ababa with three flights a week. Soon after launch, the operation was boosted to seven flights weekly. The airlines also introduced a large aircraft, the A340-300 with 267 seats, in order to offer more capacity to the growing Ethiopian market, he also said.
Emirates expressed that its cargo service is being used to export flowers and vegetables from Ethiopia, adding to the country’s flower export capabilities. Traders and businessmen have also benefited greatly from Emirates routes and connections via Dubai. The airline’s services have increased access to Dubai, which itself is a huge market, and to markets beyond”.
According to the vice President, other than businessmen and traders, leisure travelers now have access to Emirates’ rapidly-expanding leisure destination network, the two newest additions being Sao Paulo and Toronto. He applauded that since its launch in 1985, Emirates Airlines has received more than 300 international awards in recognition of its efforts to provide unsurpassed levels of customer service. Emirates is the only airline which offers service in all three classes - First, Business, and Economy - throughout the year.
In related news, a group of 13 Ethiopian Tour and Travel operators have paid a two day visit, from November 4 – 6, 2007, to Dubai by the invitation of Emirates Airlines. Travel agents who participated on the tour, the full expense of which has been covered by the airline, mentioned its main objective was to observe Emirates head quarters and Dubai city. Ato Jemil Muhammad, the representative of Horiwine Travel Agency, told Capital that the visit was enjoyable. He said, “We visited the enormous activities of hotels and travel agents, the active and effective coordination of the Emirates ticketing office and the head quarter among others. We also introduced ourselves to other professionals to strengthen our businesses in the future.”
Sosina Yilma, another participant from Best Travel Agency said, “We saw tour and travel agents, traditional markets and deserts. We experienced the comfort and standards of the Emirates flight. This is very important for me to inform my customers”. She said that the quality service that is being provided by active travel and tour agents in Dubai such as Arabian Adventure Tour Agents is fascinating. On top of this, she indicated that they have brochures and catalogues of different hotels, travel and tour operators for her customers who wish to visit the city in the future.

British Embassy launches millennium book

By Muluken Yewondwossen

At a reception on Friday 9 November, the British Embassy and British Council launched a special book entitled ‘Perspectives: Ethiopia and Britain’. The book, which encourages readers to explore the relationship between Ethiopia and Britain through 205 personal and contemporary experiences, was produced at the turn of the Ethiopian Millennium to illustrate the many, diverse links between the two countries.
Speaking at the launch, Bob Dewar, the British Ambassador, said, “Links between Britain and Ethiopia go back hundreds of years to the legend of Prestor John and a letter from King Henry IV to Emperor Dawit III. But this book encapsulates the dynamic, contemporary relationship between the two countries - a relationship rooted in people and their ordinary, and extraordinary, stories. These embody the modem bonds between our two countries - bonds which are stronger at Ethiopia’s Millennium than ever before”.
Barbara Wickham, the Director of the British Council supported this. “We are delighted to have produced this fascinating insight into the broad range of experiences, ideas, histories and viewpoints of people living in Ethiopia and in the UK. Developing successful partnerships between people in our two countries lies at the heart of what the British Council, and British Government, are trying to do in Ethiopia. The experiences illustrated in this book show how far these have developed and how we must respond to them as we seek to develop them further”.
The book was written and produced by Lucy Eyre, an acclaimed British writer living in Addis Ababa, and Kelley Lynch, a photographer and graphic designer in Ethiopia. It traces the connections between people from Ethiopia and the UK, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Exclusive interviews provide a unique insight into the lives of prominent people - from Professor Richard Pankhurst to Girma Yifrashewa, Haile Gebre-Selassie and Jonathan Dimbleby. The fresh, attractive design of the book and brilliant combination of archive photography and photographs taken exclusively for the book mean that real people, and real voices are presented directly. It encourages people to cast aside stereotypes and challenge traditional view-points to really understand the contemporary links between the two countries.
The British Council intends to distribute the book to teachers and students throughout the country to help intercultural understanding and youth programs. It will support the Council’s Connecting Classrooms and Dreams and Teams programs, where a large number of people in both countries are already developing relationships and confronting stereotypes. Perspectives will be a tool for these young people to use and develop a modem understanding of each others’ lives.
The book was launched at a photographic exhibition of its stories housed in the original British Embassy Tukuls, which have been refurbished as part of the British Government’s programs to celebrate the Ethiopian Millennium.

Land for bio-fuel won’t create food shortages- Minister

Tim Clarke bids Addis ‘Salaam

Israeli to invest on steel and cement factories

Professor Kinfe Abraha passes away

VAT implementation, lack of infrastructure and good governance trouble business in Ethiopia: ECCSA

80 mln Birr stadium for St. George’s

Nyala earns profit of 10.1 mln birr after taxes The company introduces crop insurance

DIWALI lights up Millennium

African economists, policy makers to exchange ideas in Addis

Ethiopia still among the lowest spenders on health: Study

Chinese oil workers to return to Ogaden

Oil seed exporters influence cooking oil prices

Millennium stamps to be launched

Keangnam’s Seosan Scholarship Foundation awards Ethiopian students

Jimma University to host third national Moot Court Competition

Company selects electric bus routes

MOE suspends upgrading 10+3 to degree level

People living on less than 50 cents a day reach 162 million: IFPRI

CARE plans Women empowerment for 2012

KVO builds feeding center

US to open military headquarters for Africa

UN Deputy Secretary General visits Biruh-Tesfa

Emirates expands operations in Addis Ababa

British Embassy launches millennium book

Land for bio-fuel won’t create food shortages- Minister

Tim Clarke bids Addis ‘Salaam

Israeli to invest on steel and cement factories

Professor Kinfe Abraha passes away

VAT implementation, lack of infrastructure and good governance trouble business in Ethiopia: ECCSA

80 mln Birr stadium for St. George’s

Nyala earns profit of 10.1 mln birr after taxes The company introduces crop insurance

DIWALI lights up Millennium

African economists, policy makers to exchange ideas in Addis

Ethiopia still among the lowest spenders on health: Study

Chinese oil workers to return to Ogaden

Oil seed exporters influence cooking oil prices

Millennium stamps to be launched

Keangnam’s Seosan Scholarship Foundation awards Ethiopian students

Jimma University to host third national Moot Court Competition

Company selects electric bus routes

MOE suspends upgrading 10+3 to degree level

People living on less than 50 cents a day reach 162 million: IFPRI

CARE plans Women empowerment for 2012

KVO builds feeding center

US to open military headquarters for Africa

UN Deputy Secretary General visits Biruh-Tesfa

Emirates expands operations in Addis Ababa

British Embassy launches millennium book

Nyala earns profit of 10.1 mln birr after taxes
The company introduces crop insurance

Nyala earns profit of 10.1 mln birr after taxes
The company introduces crop insurance