UAE-based business
conglomerate group to set up base in Ethiopia
Lootah IT Solutions (LITS), part of the UAE-based business conglomerate
SS Lootah Group, is to set up base in Ethiopia to establish their
presence in Africa in the area of information technology, according
to The Gulf Today.
SS Lootah already has a presence in Tanzania where they have successfully
carried out several energy projects.
Lootah IT Solutions CEO, Abdulla Saeed Lootah, met with the Ethiopian
Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Director General of
the Ethiopian Investment Agency and Minister of Tourism and Culture,
among others, to discuss the potential of Lootah IT Solutions in
Ethiopia, the paper said.
The collaboration has been identified in three core areas, namely
Education, Offshore ICT outsourcing and communication and a MoU
has been signed with EFFORT, one of the largest investment groups
in Ethiopia in this regard, it added. (WIC)
Italy pledges 350,000 Euro to the Darfur
Peace Process
Italy pledged 350,000 Euro for the UN Trust Fund supporting the
Tripoli negotiation process on Darfur between Government of Karthoum
and the rebels.
This contribution, added to the Italian quota of the amount already
pledged by the European Union, will bring the quota financed by
Italy to 10% of the Trust Fund for the Darfur Dialogue.
Italy supported the AU in the political process with 250,000 Euro
for the "Darfur Dialogue and Consultations"; it supported
security in the field with the contribution of 5.01% of peace operations
in Darfur in terms of air lift and training; it promoted cooperation
projects worth 7.5 million Euro and it provided emergency aid through
UN Agencies amounting at 2 million Euro. (Italian Embassy Press
Release)
Ethiopia said one of world's top 12 destinations
Frommer's guidebooks company, travel guidebook series and one
of the bestselling travel guides in America selected Ethiopia as
one of the top 12 destinations in the world, canada.com reported.
The report said Ethiopia stood first among world's 12 top places
to visit followed by Virgin Gorda and Canada's Okanagan.
Frommer's guidebooks company polled authors and experts to come
up with a list of what they say are the most unique and enticing
destinations for 2007.
Improved infrastructure has made traveling there increasingly popular,
especially among independent-minded travelers and those seeking
adventure. (ENA)
Ministry earmarks over 1.2 billon birr for
water dev't works
The Ministry of Water Resources disclosed that it has earmarked
over 1.2 billon birr for the execution of water development works
this budget year.
Ministry Public Relations Head Representative, Sintayehu Asfaw,
told WIC that the budget was allocated for potable water and sanitation,
hydrology research, Nile basin related works as well as activities
to be executed by pastoralists and semi-pastoralists.
Of the budget allotted, 834.8 million birr was secured from the
government, 211.6 million birr in loan from NGOs and the remaining
180.2 million birr from donors, he said, indicating that the budget
exceeded that of the last budget year by over 200 million birr.
The Universal Access Program would also be continued by expanding
the potable water provision and sanitation works, according to Sintayehu.
Accordingly, training would be given to professionals in the field,
rehabilitation and improvement of potable water facilities in 68
towns will be carried out and master plan for provision of potable
water for residents of kebele and woreda inhabitants carried out,
he elaborated. (WIC)
Awassa town wins national 'Best City Stand
Award'
Awassa town of the South Ethiopia Peoples' State won this year's
"Best City Stand" award, the town information and culture
desk said.
The Ministry of Works and Urban Development organized the Best City
Stand Award Competition at national level in order to encourage
towns improve efforts toward overall development.
An official with the desk, Nigussu Asrat told Ethiopian News Agency
that the city won the award for its aptness for residence, and for
investment and trade.
Awassa is awarded for its efforts in expansion of infrastructures
and in bringing about speedy economic growth as per the master plan
of the city.
The Ministry of Work and Urban Development has plans to organize
the "Best City Stand Award" each year in recognition of
best performing cities in the country and to create a healthy competitiveness
among cities.
The competition is organized in connection with the UN World Habitat
Day. (ENA)
80 million Birr Model TEVT college constructed
in metropolis
The Embassy of China on Tuesday handed over the Chinese Government-financed
Ethiopian Model Technical and Vocational Education and Training
College to the Ministry of Education.
The Chinese ambassador to Ethiopia, Lin Lin handed over the college.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Education Minister Dr. Sintayehu
Woldemichael said skilled and trained human power is vital for the
fast growing economy of the country.
Hence, the minister said the construction of the college is expected
to significantly contribute to development in the country.
Dr.Sinatyehu said the government eyes at ensuring quality of education,
equipping citizens with knowledge, democratic thinking and ethics.
The number of technical and vocational institution in the last few
years has grown from 17 to 119 excluding privately owned, the minister
said and added currently 173 students enrol in the institutions.
Ambassador Lin Lin expressed appreciation to what he described as
strident growth in Ethiopia's education sector development program.
The ambassador confirmed that his government would further strength
its cooperation in the sector.
Situated at the Kotebe suburbs, the model TVET comprises 14 buildings.
Construction of the TVET is said to have consumed 80 million Birr.
(ENA)
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