Ethio-American
venture embarks on massive investment
By Andualem Sisay
Sunrise Industrial activities, Construction and Trading Services
Ethiopia Plc. has announced it is embarking on six projects worth
a combined 15 billion ETB. The investment is a joint venture project
between Ethiopians Tamene Getachew, Dawit Wedajo and Berhane Abeba
and two American partners and is to engage in various agri-business
related activities throughout Ethiopia, creating over 40,000 permanent
and part-time jobs. Sunrise Plc. has secured over 75 percent of
the land its projects require.
 MORE
GPS launched to take Ethiopia to digital
Millennium
By Kirubel Tadesse
The First Global Positioning System (GPS) in Ethiopia was introduced
at a launching ceremony held at Sheraton Addis on Thursday, September
6, 2007.
The GPS was introduced by GPS Solutions founder Akalu Alemu. In
his opening remarks, Akalu said that it had been difficult but finally
satisfying to introduce GPS technology to Ethiopia. He added, “I
have always had a burning passion to see our country be among the
beneficiaries of hi-tech products and technologies. Accordingly,
I have managed to introduce GPS solutions.”
MORE
EEPCO signs Ethio-Djibouti power contract
By Andualem Sisay
The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO), has signed three
construction contract agreements for the Ethiopia Djibouti Power
Interconnection Project, on Thursday September 6, 2007, at the Hilton
Addis.
The total construction cost up to the border of Ethiopia including
electrification of border towns in Ethiopia is 393 mln birr (around
45 mln USD). Out of this, 237 mnl birr will be covered by the African
Development Fund (ADF) and the remaining 156 mln birr will be covered
by EEPCO. On the Djibouti side, a similar agreement is scheduled
to be signed with contractors in Djibouti on September 10, 2007.
MORE
“Consensus made it possible”,
Deputy P.M.
By Tesfu Telahoun
Deputy PM and Minster of Agriculture and Rural Development and
Chief Executive of the Ethiopian Millennium Secretariat, Addisu
Legesse, at a press briefing he gave at MoRaD on Friday, September
7, 2007, stated that the current atmosphere of national consensus
and democratic culture have enabled the nation to prepare well for
the dawn of the new Ethiopian millennium.
The Deputy P.M. stressed, “It is the duty of all citizens
to contribute for the promotion of a better national image during
the year long activities in relation to the new millennium celebrations.”
MORE
Swedish company joins diesel and ethanol
production with 1.5 bln birr investment
By Andualem Sisay
BioMassive AB, an internationally renowned Swedish company producing
fuel from renewable energy sources, is entering Ethiopia to produce
diesel and ethanol from plants in Amhara Region with an investment
capital of over 1.5 billion birr.
When BioMassive AB Ethiopia Branch begins production, it will create
job opportunities for some 4,500 permanent and temporary employees.
"It is expected to begin production at the end of 2007 as the
company is about to secure the land for its investment," according
to Tamrat Kidanemariam, company representative in Ethiopia.
MORE
MDGs not on target
By Kirubel Tadesse
“We are half-way to the deadline set by the international
community to achieve the Millennium Development Goals,” says
Mark Wilson, Executive Director of Panos London and co-author of
the report, at the heart of change: The role of communication in
sustainable development, “It is almost certain that many countries
will fail to reach the Millennium development goals.”
MORE
License plate office in trance
By Tedla Desta
Several vehicle owners in Addis Ababa expressed their grievances
over the inefficient system of the concerned authority to disburse
license plates, Capital learnt.
They said that getting a plate and other services has been problematic
for the last few months.
There are several reasons for the delay, among which is the absence
of the responsible individuals from their posts.
said a source who bought a vehicle weeks ago but had to wait in
a long queue.
MORE
Taxis troubling Addis residents
By Kirubel Tadesse
Some residents of Addis Ababa said that the service they are getting
from taxis is worsening as the Millennium celebration approaches.
Asking more than the set tariff, cutting down destination at the
whims of drivers and shortages or simply no taxis in some areas
are few of the problems noted by the residents.
bmi enters Ethiopia
By Andualem Sisay
bmi, the second largest airline operating company at London’s
Heathrow Airport, enters Ethiopia as the sole British carrier operating
flights between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom.
bmi’s flight network will now include 17 new destinations
throughout Africa, the Middle East and central Asia.
The airline currently operates around 170 flights a day to and from
its main Heathrow hub. bmi has also announced its takeover of Heathrow-based
British Airways (BA) franchise airline, British Mediterranean (BMED).
HiLCoE celebrates 10th anniversary with
Millennium graduates
By Kirubel Tadesse
HiLCoE School of Computer Science and Technology celebrated its
10th anniversary on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at the Sheraton
Addis. The school also graduated 307 students; 261 with undergraduate
degrees and 46 in the post graduate advanced Diploma program.
AMREF marks 50th anniversary
By Tedla Desta
The African Medical and Research Foundation celebrated its 50th
year anniversary in Africa.
The Foundation has also marked its 10th year journey in Ethiopia.
To mark the occasion, AMREF held a photographic exhibition in Ethiopia
that chronicles the work it was involved in and around the continent
and honors those who work with it to bring health to African communities.
MORE
Admas University College graduates 2000
By Andualem Sisay
Admas University College graduates over 2,000 students in various
degree and diploma programs including Transport Management, a field
of study not on the menu of any other university in the country,
on Tuesday, September 4, 2007.
Under its degree program the university college graduated 634 students,
of which half are women, in Accounting, Information Communication
Technology (ICT), Management and Marketing.
Attention to agriculture: stakeholders deliberate
By Tedla Desta
Ethio-Africa International Agri-Trade Fair, themed “Attention
to Agriculture”, will be held from December 3-7, 2007 at the
Exhibition Center, Teshome Alem, General Manager of New World Promotion
and Information Service PLC, the company organizing the trade fair,
disclosed on a debriefing meeting held September 4th, 2007 in the
presence of various stakeholders.
The Trade Fair is expected to connect 200 exhibitors of which 50
are international investors.
MORE
‘Developing countries face difficult
choices on multilateral trade agreements with developed countries’,
UNCTAD
By Andualem Sisay
The ongoing multilateral trade negotiations in the frame work of
the World Trade Organization (WTO) have made choices of the governments
of developing countries and countries with economies in transition
tough and more costly than expected, says a United Nation’s
report launched on September 5, 2007 at the Economic Commission
for Africa here in Addis Ababa.
MORE
Tibeb Ethiopia seeking cooperation
By Kirubel Tadesse
Tibeb Ethiopia said that it is seeking co operation in order to
realize its dreams of having “one billion birr by the year
2000” to support its mendicant members in their investment
which was started with ten cents.
In a letter sent to governmental organizations including the millennium
secretariat, Addis Ababa mayor’s representative in Tibeb and
NGO’s such as CRDA, Tibeb Ethiopia requested cooperation from
all interested and responsible organizations. The letter added that
Tibeb Ethiopia is taking steps to build houses for its mendicant
founding members.
MORE
Over 75% of skilled Ethiopians lost in ten
years
By Tedla Desta
Over 75 per cent of skilled Ethiopian professionals have been lost
to the developed countries, a study made by the Association for
Higher Education and Development (AHEAD), a not-for-profit organization
founded by a group of Ethiopian-Canadians who reside in Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada, stated.
MORE
|
Ethio-American
venture embarks on massive investment
By Andualem Sisay
Sunrise Industrial activities, Construction and Trading Services
Ethiopia Plc. has announced it is embarking on six projects worth
a combined 15 billion ETB. The investment is a joint venture project
between Ethiopians Tamene Getachew, Dawit Wedajo and Berhane Abeba
and two American partners and is to engage in various agri-business
related activities throughout Ethiopia, creating over 40,000 permanent
and part-time jobs. Sunrise Plc. has secured over 75 percent of
the land its projects require.
Commercial farming of fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses, coffee
and grains is among the six investment projects of the venture and
valued at some 1.8 billion birr. The plantations will be established
on 50,000 hectares in five areas in Oromia and Southern Nations
regions.
For its second project, the joint venture has secured sites for
two cement factories each capitalized at 4 billion birr. Called
Ejere and Minare and located 100 km west of Addis Ababa, the cement
factories will each have a production capacity of 5,000 tons per
day. The two sites were chosen because of their proximity to areas
rich in raw materials for cement such as limestone, clay and gypsum,
according to Tamene.
A 1.1 billion birr investment in cattle fattening, poultry, dairy
farming, and meat processing and packing on 100 hectares is the
third investment that the joint venture will be launching.
Real-estate development is also another area that Sunrise has obtained
an investment license for and will spend around 1.4 billion birr
in Burayu area, some 20 kms from Addis Ababa city center.
Establishment of four marble processing factories with 1.3 billion
birr capital at four sites, each near quarries, in Benishangul Gumz
and Oromia regions is also another investment of the joint venture.
The factories will be established in Nekemt, Mendi, Ambo and Asabe
Teferi (Chiro) - on 60 hectares for each plant.
A 990 million birr capital investment on flower farms is the final
project and will be established in Holeta and Ginchi on 300 and
150 hectares of land respectively.
The joint venture is currently processing the first phase of a loan
of 1.5 billion USD from a foreign bank at an interest rate of 2.5
per cent. "If we had tried to get the loan from local banks,
we would not have been able to get half of this sum from all the
banks in the country. Besides, the interest would have risen to
9 per cent at a minimum," says Tamene, explaining why they
chose to get loans from non-Ethiopian banks.
Thanking the Oromia Region and the Ministry of Trade and Industry,
for all the support they have been providing them, he calls on all
concerned to develop the culture of working in partnership by mobilizing
what they have with what others have, for the betterment of their
personal lives as well as that of their nations.
GPS launched to take Ethiopia
to digital Millennium
By Kirubel Tadesse
The First Global Positioning System (GPS) in Ethiopia was introduced
at a launching ceremony held at Sheraton Addis on Thursday, September
6, 2007.
The GPS was introduced by GPS Solutions founder Akalu Alemu. In
his opening remarks, Akalu said that it had been difficult but finally
satisfying to introduce GPS technology to Ethiopia. He added, “I
have always had a burning passion to see our country be among the
beneficiaries of hi-tech products and technologies. Accordingly,
I have managed to introduce GPS solutions.”The Guest of Honor,
Ambassador Mohamoud Dirir, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the
F.D.R.E, thanked Akalu Alemu for pioneering GPS technology in Ethiopia.
He promised to assist in any way possible to enable the technology
reach Ethiopians and tourists that come to visit Ethiopia's historical
places. The other invited guest, Addis Ababa Tourism Commissioner,
Dr. Ayalew Sisay, congratulated Akalu on his work and expressed
his hope that GPS will assist tourists in locating hotels and historic
sites.
Akalu Alemu gave a brief description of how the system works by
giving a practical example; getting assistance from the GPS technology
to travel from his home at CMC to the Tourism Commission. Akalu
explained that GPS offers three services named Anzire Navigator,
Anzire Tracker and Anzire Tour.
He said that Anzire Navigator is intended to become the de-facto
standard for Navigation used by car-computers or PDAs (personal
digital assistant) in Ethiopia. The Anzire Navigator shows exactly
where you are on maps, the location of your destinations on maps,
how fast you are traveling, what road you are on and provide information
about sights, restaurants, gas stations, hotels, etc.
The Anzire Tracker tells drivers the speed of the vehicle, where
they have actually driven to and services like Past Tracking and
Live Tracking. Akalu explained the third service of the GPS technology,
Anzire Tour, as GPS triggered narratives for respective sights as
its users drive or walk. The GPS contains more than 27, 000 land
marks, public centers, hotels, streets and other places.
After Akalu introduced the GPS technology, he entertained comments
and questions from the invited guests. Ambassador Mohamoud Dirir
gave a comment for Akalu to work in cooperation with Addis Ababa
City Administration, which is currently conducting a review on the
city map with GTZ so that he can have inputs on a detailed map of
the city and road names. Akalu replied that he will work with the
city administration as he did with many governmental organizations
like Addis Ababa Tourism Commission, to refine his naming standards
and other information. Another guest asked why the GPS is not assisting
the user to turn left or right accordingly as GPS in Europe or US.
He replied, "This GPS already assists to turn left or right
with military symbolism like twelve o'clock ( in front ), three
o'clock (left ) and others but it still can easily be made to show
right or left when the standard map and road names are realized."
Akalu told Capital, "The Ethiopian Millennium is a time to
close the gap in the digital divide." He added that his company
is ready to prepare and deliver the GPS for any company or personal
use within a week. Akalu also added that his company will personalize
the GPS as per interest and use of the client. The GPS products
will be available on the market for any interested travelers or
tourists soon.
Global Positioning System (GPS), is the only fully functional Global
Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Utilizing a constellation of
at least 24 medium Earth orbit satellites that transmit precise
microwave signals, the system enables a GPS receiver to determine
its location, speed/direction, and time. GPS has become a widely
used aid to navigation worldwide, and a useful tool for map-making,
land surveying, commerce, and scientific uses. GPS also provides
a precise time reference used in many applications including scientific
study of earthquakes, and synchronization of telecommunications
networks.
EEPCO signs Ethio-Djibouti
power contract
By Andualem Sisay
The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO), has signed three
construction contract agreements for the Ethiopia Djibouti Power
Interconnection Project, on Thursday September 6, 2007, at the Hilton
Addis.
The total construction cost up to the border of Ethiopia including
electrification of border towns in Ethiopia is 393 mln birr (around
45 mln USD). Out of this, 237 mnl birr will be covered by the African
Development Fund (ADF) and the remaining 156 mln birr will be covered
by EEPCO. On the Djibouti side, a similar agreement is scheduled
to be signed with contractors in Djibouti on September 10, 2007.
When the project is completed in twenty months, Ethiopia is expected
to get around 20 mln USD annually in the first few years by exporting
some 300 GWh per annum to Djibouti. On its part, Djibouti will be
relieved from using fossil fields for power and curb its electric
power shortage. It is also believed that the project will play a
vital role in harmonizing the investment programs of the two countries.
After the signing ceremony, Ambassador of Djibouti to Ethiopia,
Ibrahim Mohamed Kamil and Mihret Debebe, General Manager of EEPCO,
indicated that the project has more significant value and meaning
for the two countries that are already linked for about a century
by the Ethio-Djibouti railway.
Construction of 201 km of 230kV transmission line from Dire Dawa
to the Djibouti border is one of the three contracts that EEPCO
signed with Indian company Kalpataru. The total contract amount
for this project is 197 mln birr of which 119 mln will be covered
by ADF with EEPCO covering the balance cost.
The second contract EEPCO signed was with Siemens SpA Construction
for 230 kV extension to the existing substation in Dire Dawa and
the construction of a new 230/33 kV substation in Adigala. Out of
the total contract of 82 mln birr, 56 mln will be covered by ADF
while EEPCO covers the rest.
Electrification of border towns in Ethiopia is also another contract
that EEPCO signed with ETDE, a French company, with a total cost
of 114 mln birr. Out of this, 62 mln birr will be covered by ADF
and the rest by EEPCO. Adigala, Biyokobe, Lazarat, Harewa, Milo,
Ayasha, Dewele and Gelile are the towns that will be electrified
under this contract.
“Consensus made it possible”,
Deputy P.M.
By Tesfu Telahoun
Deputy PM and Minster of Agriculture and Rural Development and
Chief Executive of the Ethiopian Millennium Secretariat, Addisu
Legesse, at a press briefing he gave at MoRaD on Friday, September
7, 2007, stated that the current atmosphere of national consensus
and democratic culture have enabled the nation to prepare well for
the dawn of the new Ethiopian millennium.
The Deputy P.M. stressed, “It is the duty of all citizens
to contribute for the promotion of a better national image during
the year long activities in relation to the new millennium celebrations.”
Addisu went on to describe how the numerous millennium projects
have been conducted and are currently being implemented successfully
and mentioned in particular the, ‘two trees for 2000’
campaign which, he stated, had exceeded all expectations. Citing
this as another example of national consensus, Addisu advised that
tree planting be adopted as a valuable part of our culture.
The Deputy P.M. also noted that the new Ethiopian Millennium is
being celebrated at our diplomatic missions abroad through various
events which will bring together Ethiopians, Ethiophiles and other
celebrants.
He made it a point to give due mention of Ethiopia’s victorious
athletics squad at the Osaka World Athletics Championship, which
reaffirmed Ethiopia’s long distance prowess while at the same
time introducing our new millennium to a global audience.
Addisu added that the co-inciding of the new millennium eve with
the onset of the holy fasting month of Ramadan strengthens the unifying
character of the historic occasion which is celebrated regardless
of faith and political persuasion. Speaking on recent postponements
of the Great Ethiopian Run and the TAAAF festival at Maskal Square
he said, “The events have been set forward not because of
security concerns but due to the traffic congestion that will be
inevitable in such a key part of the city.”
The Deputy P.M. also stated, “Let this new millennium display
our unity so that our friends may rejoice in us and our enemies
may be shamed, in closing, he wished all Ethiopians happy new millennium
celebrations.
Swedish company joins diesel
and ethanol production with 1.5 bln birr investment
By Andualem Sisay
BioMassive AB, an internationally renowned Swedish company producing
fuel from renewable energy sources, is entering Ethiopia to produce
diesel and ethanol from plants in Amhara Region with an investment
capital of over 1.5 billion birr.
When BioMassive AB Ethiopia Branch begins production, it will create
job opportunities for some 4,500 permanent and temporary employees.
"It is expected to begin production at the end of 2007 as the
company is about to secure the land for its investment," according
to Tamrat Kidanemariam, company representative in Ethiopia.
Recently many companies, both local and foreign, are showing more
interest to invest in the production of fuel from various plants
that Ethiopia is rich in. Amhara, northwestern Ethiopia, is fertile
and poses significant development potential.
According to the information obtained from the BioMassive AB website,
its proposed site of 50,000 hectare will help produce in excess
of 100,000 tons per annum of biofuel, making Amhara Region fuel-sufficient
and substantially impacting the lives of the people in the region.
"The community will not only have a direct share of the profits
generated from the projects but the investment in infrastructure
and ancillary services will vastly improve their well being. Communities
benefit from the company's initiatives and they do not have to compete
for local food production resources," states the website.
In Africa, BioMassive, one of the world's principal producers of
diesel and ethanol with biomass as a basis for its production, has
branches in Tanzania. Using its own processing plants and refineries,
BioMassive has developed a platform in Africa where it ensures active
community participation and local economic growth wherever it has
established its operations.
BioMassive's methodologies make it one of the world's leading low-cost
fuel producers and enable the host country to be energy-independent.
Having met its own energy needs, export opportunities emerge enabling
the country to sell excess stock on the world market and BioMassive
provides professional expertise and support along the way.
The company has invested millions in extensive research and ground-breaking
development program. In 2002, 130 acres of Jantropa was established
in the harshest of environments in Zaheerabad, India. The team of
experts has through extensive field trials, developed sound techniques
to combat pests and diseases, developed advanced nutrient application
programs and pioneered appropriate pruning and irrigation regimes.
As part of BioMassive's projects, today this team consults and advises
countries and communities in developing and managing suitable self-sustaining
renewable energy programs. Their advice includes plantation and
crop management mechanisms, nutrient programs, harvesting and market
creation mechanisms.
MDGs not on target
By Kirubel Tadesse
“We are half-way to the deadline set by the international
community to achieve the Millennium Development Goals,” says
Mark Wilson, Executive Director of Panos London and co-author of
the report, at the heart of change: The role of communication in
sustainable development, “It is almost certain that many countries
will fail to reach the Millennium development goals.”
Mark added that one of the reasons why countries are failing is
because their policymakers are not doing enough to support more
open, transparent information and communication systems. He said,
“It’s time to wake up and harness the growing power
of information and communication technologies (ICTs) – such
as mobile telephones and the Internet – and do more to support
the media in developing countries.”
The press release Panos London sent to Capital quoted the report
as saying that senior decision-makers in governments and development
agencies are not recognising the essential part communication plays
in development. Many international and national development initiatives
and plans, including the United Nations’ Millennium Declaration
signed by the leaders of 189 countries in September 2000, barely
mention it, according to the press release.
Panos London said that Access to ICTs can provide opportunities
for ordinary people to be involved in a country’s political,
economic and social life. But the reality is that poor and
marginalised people are often politically muted. They are seen as
a problem to be solved by others, and not part of the solution.
If governments and other policymakers are serious about ending poverty,
says at the heart of change, they have to find and support ways
that enable these people to participate in the debates and decisions
that affect their lives.
License plate office in
trance
By Tedla Desta
Several vehicle owners in Addis Ababa expressed their grievances
over the inefficient system of the concerned authority to disburse
license plates, Capital learnt.
They said that getting a plate and other services has been problematic
for the last few months.
There are several reasons for the delay, among which is the absence
of the responsible individuals from their posts.
said a source who bought a vehicle weeks ago but had to wait in
a long queue.
Asked about the matter, Public Relations Head of the Addis Ababa
Transport Authority Derese Kebede, said that the problem does not
exist as far as he knows, especially in the Zone he is assigned.
“Since June the services of our authority have been divided
into five zones,” he said.
According to Derese, this division was made in an effort to give
a decentralized and customer oriented service, which has actually
showed improvements.
Derese also said that unless the license plate has not been printed
yet or is not ready, and/or the service seeker has not come up with
full information, the plate would be given in about 40 minutes.
In a related news, some 15 thousand learner drivers who attended
driving schools in Addis Ababa who were prohibited from taking the
various driving license exams by the authority have now been allowed
to do so. The interrupted licenses issuance is also to resume. It
is to be recalled that as a result of the Business Process Reengineering
(BPR) being carried out by the Transport and Communications Ministry,
licensing and examining of learners was stopped and learners going
through the process had to drop their plans.
Unlike previous times the examinations are to be conducted on computers.
In the former examination procedures, obstacle course tests were
given with the examiner sitting beside the learners but in the new
one it is only students that get to be in the car. The former system
has been replaced as it has phased out, it was learnt.
Taxis troubling Addis residents
By Kirubel Tadesse
Some residents of Addis Ababa said that the service they are getting
from taxis is worsening as the Millennium celebration approaches.
Asking more than the set tariff, cutting down destination at the
whims of drivers and shortages or simply no taxis in some areas
are few of the problems noted by the residents. One resident Capital
talked to on Bole road said, “I have been waiting more than
forty five minutes to get a taxi that takes me to Piassa. Last night
I had to pay three times over to get to Piassa. First, the tout
said that it will take us only to Shoa Bakery, when we got there
we paid additional money to get to Ambassador Theatre and once again,
he claimed it was the final destination. But after a while he seemed
to have changed his mind to take us to Piassa for yet another payment.
I totally paid more than three birr for the distance which normally
costs one birr and seventy five cents.” He also said that
the Taxis are coming with new ways of getting more money for the
same distance by breaking down relatively longer distance into small
journeys.
Another resident we met near St. George Church waiting for a taxi
to take him to Autobis Tera in Merkato area said that he could not
find one since all of the taxis would stop at Gojam Berenda. “The
problem is simple; there is no one who controls how they work. The
traffic police are here as you see but all they check is if there
are extra people overboard. Sometimes I wish the traffic were not
there to control as taxis would take us where we exactly want with
a little bit of discomfort that comes with over boarding. It is
obvious that they want to profit more; why would they go all the
way to Autobis Tera when they can stop half way at Gojam Berenda
for the same price?”
Capital reporter witnessed residents paying one birr for a 65 cents
tariff travel from Kazanhcis to Tele Medhanialem. When they complained
and refused to pay more than the tariff, the tout simply ‘invited’
them to get out of the Taxi.
Another Addis Ababa resident Capital talked to at a taxi stop at
Piassa said “All of the taxis here are calling for people
who go to Bole but when you try to get in they tell you that they
will only take you as far as Wollo Sefer. What does this mean? When
did taxis start turning back from Wollo Sefer? It is simply to charge
you more. I am sure that you will see these taxis calling for Bole
when they reach Wollo Sefer.”
A few weeks back the taxi drivers’ Peace and Development Association
and Addis Ababa Police Commission had held talks to improve services
for residents. The meeting concluded that touts and drivers should
start wearing ID’s. Residents said that no improvements have
been made so far, but rather it is becoming quite intolerable.
bmi enters Ethiopia
By Andualem Sisay
bmi, the second largest airline operating company at London’s
Heathrow Airport, enters Ethiopia as the sole British carrier operating
flights between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom.
bmi’s flight network will now include 17 new destinations
throughout Africa, the Middle East and central Asia.
The airline currently operates around 170 flights a day to and from
its main Heathrow hub. bmi has also announced its takeover of Heathrow-based
British Airways (BA) franchise airline, British Mediterranean (BMED).
It is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s biggest
airline alliance, providing passengers with global connections and
a smooth travel experience.
bmi Commercial Development Manager for Ethiopia, Mr. Naji Mahdi
sees the new arrangement as highly positive for local and regional
operations. “This marks a major development in air travel
in Ethiopia. We are very proud to be working with bmi which has
an exceptional reputation throughout the industry and we anticipate
many positive developments in the future,” he said.
Synergies between bmi and BMED include BMED’s Heathrow base
and the fact that it operates IAE engined Airbus A320 and 321 aircraft
in a two class configuration.
HiLCoE celebrates 10th anniversary
with Millennium graduates
By Kirubel Tadesse
HiLCoE School of Computer Science and Technology celebrated its
10th anniversary on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at the Sheraton
Addis. The school also graduated 307 students; 261 with undergraduate
degrees and 46 in the post graduate advanced Diploma program. During
the ceremony Dr. Ahmed Hussein, HiLCoE Academic Director, said that
HiLCoE is deeply aware of its responsibility to provide quality
tertiary level education in its role as a pioneer in the field.
He expressed his delight on the changes and development HiLCoE’s
students have brought to Ethiopia in introducing and implementing
information communication technologies in the last ten years. He
added, “We have up until now graduated more than one thousand
five hundred students who currently work as software developers,
website designers, network administrators and as other professionals.”
Nassir Dino, HiLCoE General Director, told Capital that the founders
(Dr. Ahmed and himself) worked day and night to establish the school
in 1997. He said that during the first six months of operation they
were even sleeping over at the school, as most students do now to
complete term and senior projects. Nassir added that the first reason
behind HiLCoE establishment is the vision of bringing new technologies
to Ethiopia. He said, “When I was a freshman and Ahmed a lecturer
after graduating with honors, we were thinking of how to figuring
way to introduce new technologies from which our society can benefit
largely.”
“The fact we later discovered was the professionals that are
required to implement the technologies we wished to see our nation
benefiting from, were very scarce.” Nassir explains, “that’s
why we decided to engage in education. The postgraduate program
given to first degree holders in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry
and related subjects, the first of its kind, is a result of the
goals to reengineer their knowledge in technology implementation.”
Some graduating students exhibited software they designed as their
senior projects which are mandatory for HiLCoE graduateS. The projects
were developed in areas which are currently unaddressed, such as
emergency call identifier, mobile positioning system, Addis guide,
geographical information system (GIS) for fire, micro finance management
system, mobile phone Amharic message, and an Amharic dictionary.
HiLCoE was founded by Nassir Dino and Ahmed Hussein (PhD), with
financial assistance of another partner, Seid Kasse. Nassir and
Dr. Ahmed started HiLCoE in 1997 along with sister company HiLCoE
Computer Systems Engineering.
AMREF marks 50th anniversary
By Tedla Desta
The African Medical and Research Foundation celebrated its 50th
year anniversary in Africa.
The Foundation has also marked its 10th year journey in Ethiopia.
To mark the occasion, AMREF held a photographic exhibition in Ethiopia
that chronicles the work it was involved in and around the continent
and honors those who work with it to bring health to African communities.
The exhibition was attended by high officials both from the Ethiopian
government and the Foundation.
The photographs displayed illustrate the realization of a dream
and a vision that three men had 50 years ago to bring health care
to African communities.
Dr Tom Rees, Sir Archie McIndoe and Sir Michael Wood, were AMREF’s
founders and over the years AMREF has trained thousands of health
workers. Many of these are ordinary members of the community who
are driven by a sense that something can be done and must be done
to improve the health of their people and what they as individuals
can do.
In Afar region, AMREF has trained ordinary people to teach other
members of their communities how to prevent malaria, malnutrition,
trachoma and other common health problems and to refer those who
are sick to health centers for treatment.
The exhibition was opened officially by the State Minister of Health,
Dr. Shiferaw. AMREF’s Chair Professor Miriam Were, and the
Deputy Director General, Dr. Florence Musiime-Muli and AMREF Ethiopia
Country Director, Dr. John Nduba were among the guests.
“AMREF’s mission is to improve the health of disadvantaged
people in Africa as a means for them to escape poverty and improve
the quality of their lives. Our mission determines that we work
in six areas of focus, or Priority Intervention Areas (PIAs)”
AMREF’s representative said on the occasion.
Founded in 1957, AMREF is the only international health development
NGO that has its headquarters in Africa, with 97% of the staff being
African. AMREF implements projects to learn, and shares that learning
with others to advocate for changes in health policy and practice.
AMREF aims to close the gap that prevents people from accessing
their basic right to health.
AMREF has offices in 5 Eastern and Southern African countries: Ethiopia,
Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda and field offices in Somalia
and Sudan. Each year it trains health professionals from countries
all over the African continent. It is headquartered in Nairobi,
Kenya.
Admas University College graduates
2000
By Andualem Sisay
Admas University College graduates over 2,000 students in various
degree and diploma programs including Transport Management, a field
of study not on the menu of any other university in the country,
on Tuesday, September 4, 2007.
Under its degree program the university college graduated 634 students,
of which half are women, in Accounting, Information Communication
Technology (ICT), Management and Marketing.
In the diploma programs of Transport Management, Import Export Management,
General Management, Accounting, Information Technology, Marketing,
Purchasing and Supplies Management, and Secretarial Science and
Office Management Admas has graduated 1365 students, out of which
62 per cent are females.
Currently, there are only a few professionals in the country qualified
in the planning and management of transport. Many people cite this
lack of professionals in the sector for contributing greatly to
the backwardness of the country’s transport system.
It is to be recalled that a few weeks ago on a symposium at the
Hilton Addis, participants stressed lack of experts in the sector
as having left the country without a transportation policy.
In addition to this year’s batch from Addis, Admas has also
graduated 340 students in its Dessie and Bishoftu campuses. Since
its establishment in October 1998 under the name ‘Admas Business
Training Center’, the university college has so far graduated
over 13,000 students.
It was this year that Admas College became a university college
after fulfilling the requirements set by the Ministry of Education.
As part of this transformation, it is building two campuses in Addis
Ababa and Dessie, Amhara region.
Attention to agriculture:
stakeholders deliberate
By Tedla Desta
Ethio-Africa International Agri-Trade Fair, themed “Attention
to Agriculture”, will be held from December 3-7, 2007 at the
Exhibition Center, Teshome Alem, General Manager of New World Promotion
and Information Service PLC, the company organizing the trade fair,
disclosed on a debriefing meeting held September 4th, 2007 in the
presence of various stakeholders.
The Trade Fair is expected to connect 200 exhibitors of which 50
are international investors.
“Our aim is to create an information exchange program plus
the exhibition. We believe that there is an information gap”,
added Teshome.
Tilahun Gemechu, representative of the Ethiopian Investment Agency,
spoke on the investment potential and opportunities in Ethiopia
during the debriefing session.He said that the number of investors
that were registered in the country a decade ago was in finger counts
but now it has tremendously increased.Issuance of permits for investors
engaged either in agriculture or any other business has now become
a one hour task, he added.
Yakob Laike, a private consultant and agricultural economist, who
presented a paper on “challenges and opportunities of Ethiopian
agricultural products to the local and international market”,
said on his part that Ethiopia gives emphasis to export and that
the country needs to analyze where the problem for the slow growth
lies. “We haven’t made export diversification and that
is why our economy isn’t showing progress”, he added.
Regarding the problems local markets pose on farming, he sited inability
to combine farming with processing and lack of a larger scale federal
plan as the notable ones, noted protection and tariff as problems
of foreign trade and recommended that farmers be subsidized.
Ethiopia has great agricultural potential because of its vast areas
of fertile land, diverse climate, generally adequate rainfall, and
large labor pool. Despite this potential, however, Ethiopian agriculture
has remained underdeveloped.
However, agriculture remains to be the backbone of Ethiopia’s
economy in the existence of the backward agricultural technology,
inappropriate trade, and lack and unavailability of agricultural
inputs.
‘Developing countries
face difficult choices on multilateral trade agreements with developed
countries’, UNCTAD
By Andualem Sisay
The ongoing multilateral trade negotiations in the frame work of
the World Trade Organization (WTO) have made choices of the governments
of developing countries and countries with economies in transition
tough and more costly than expected, says a United Nation’s
report launched on September 5, 2007 at the Economic Commission
for Africa here in Addis Ababa.
The Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements
(PTAs) are among the major trade agreements between the developing
and developed nations. African countries are scheduled to sign Economic
Partnership Agreement (EPA), a scheme to create a free trade area
between the European Union and ACP (African, Carribean and Pacific)
countries, with European countries at the end of December 2007.
Including Ethiopia, many countries have been pushing EPA to be a
development driven agreement instead of setting a specific date
for signing. Mauritius Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Premdut
Doongoor, says that his country is not happy about the time set
for it to sign this agreement. “I see no reason why we should
rush to sign this agreement. Even though I am not quite sure if
other developing African countries are ready, I know that it is
too early for my country,” he said to Capital.
“Such agreements may offer transitory gains in terms of market
access and higher foreign direct investment (FDI), but may also
limit government action that can play an important role for the
medium and long-term growth of competitive industries. Officials
of developing countries should therefore think carefully before
entering into such agreements,” says the report of United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
According to UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Report 2007, the
trend towards North-South bilateral or regional trade agreements
partly results from a sense of frustration of some governments with
the slow progress in multilateral trade negotiations. “But
bilateral and regional deals threaten the coherence of the multilateral
trading system, the report warns, and may limit the benefits of
existing regional cooperation arrangements among developing countries.”
The motivation of a developing country for concluding a bilateral
agreement with a developed-country partner is to obtain concessions
that are not granted to other countries, particularly better market
access for its products. Although North-South FTAs may bring new
trading opportunities and additional FDI to the developing-country
partner, this should not be equated with progress in development,
the report says.
Rather than subscribing to the “new regionalism”, developing
countries may examine other areas of cooperation with partners in
the same geographical region and at a similar level of economic
development, in a spirit of a true regionalism, the report counsels.
This could help strengthen their own strategies for national development
and integration into the global economy, building on the advantages
of proximity, similarity of interests and economic complementarities.
The report notes that today’s industrialized countries and
developing nations that have recorded spectacular economic growth
in recent years began by protecting nascent industries, allowing
them to develop their abilities to face international competition.
By contrast, the report says, FTAs or PTAs between developed and
developing countries often require sharply reduced tariffs on industrial
goods, exposing domestic manufacturers to overwhelming foreign competition.
That can keep poorer nations from developing their industrial sectors.
Such agreements also tend to reduce developing countries’
control over foreign direct investment (FDI).
The number of bilateral and regional trade agreements officially
reported to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)/WTO
increased from 20 in 1990 and 86 in 2000 to 159 in 2007. A large
percentage of these agreements concerns trade between developing
and developed countries. UNCTAD believes that the trend towards
such agreements, sometimes labeled “new regionalism,”
is a risky departure from multilateralism.
Such agreements often include provisions that extend beyond current
WTO rules and regulations in areas such as investment, intellectual
property rights, competition policy and government procurement.
They may also cover areas that have been excluded from the agenda
of multilateral trade negotiations. As a result, many of these provisions
reduce the options for developing country policy-makers to carry
out proactive policies in support of industrialization and structural
change.
UNCTAD economists also deplore that - unlike negotiations in a multilateral
context - individual bilateral negotiations create an environment
of “competitive liberalization.” That is, countries
may feel forced to conclude Free Trade Agreements (FT As) for fear
of losing competitiveness with other developing countries that enter
into FT As with the same major trading partner.
On the other hand, the gains that developing countries can obtain
in North-South bilateral negotiations are circumscribed by their
usually weaker bargaining power, the report says. And they are often
unable to derive the full benefits of the improved market access
opportunities of FT As because of limited supply and marketing capacities
and competitiveness, protracted subsidies to “sensitive”
sectors in developed countries, and because local firms are frequently
unable to comply with restrictive rules of origin on goods destined
for export to the developed-country partner. Preferences negotiated
by one developing country with a developed partner may quickly be
eroded if the same developed country also concludes FT As with other
developing countries.
UNCTAD economists conclude that “the gains for developing
countries from improved market access are far from guaranteed, whereas
the loss of policy space is certain.” They add that it is
“in the interest of developing countries that the multilateral
trade negotiations advance, but with a stronger development dimension
built into international trade rules.”
The report also urges for the reform of global exchange-rate arrangements
as a safe correction to the increasing imbalances overshadowing
the world. It warns that the lack of appropriate global exchange-rate
arrangements may cause exchange-rate instability and misalignments,
especially in developing countries. This may damage their overall
competitiveness and may lead to “beggar-thy-neighbor”
strategies that would jeopardize regional trade agreements, according
to the report.
It suggests regional financial cooperation among developing countries
as one of the building blocks of an improved international monetary
order. It says, in the absence of institutional reforms at the global
level, regional arrangements could become an alternative source
of financial support for developing countries.
“If, on the other hand, the international financial institutions
are reformed to take into better account the specific needs of developing
countries in different regions, the report says, they could serve
as the central body of a decentralized international monetary system.”
“Under such a system, regional funds would provide for the
current financial needs of their constituents and the international
institutions would function as a second-floor financing source and
as a lender of last resort,” the report explains.
In addition, the report also recommended regional cooperation among
developing countries as a means that helps them to accelerate industrialization
and structural change. It also states that external environment
provides great opportunities for catch-up growth and meeting the
eight Millennium Development Goals.
Tibeb Ethiopia seeking cooperation
By Kirubel Tadesse
Tibeb Ethiopia said that it is seeking co operation in order to
realize its dreams of having “one billion birr by the year
2000” to support its mendicant members in their investment
which was started with ten cents.
In a letter sent to governmental organizations including the millennium
secretariat, Addis Ababa mayor’s representative in Tibeb and
NGO’s such as CRDA, Tibeb Ethiopia requested cooperation from
all interested and responsible organizations. The letter added that
Tibeb Ethiopia is taking steps to build houses for its mendicant
founding members. The letter further explained that members’
house construction savings that have been frozen by the Addis Ababa
Labor and Social Affairs Bureau since 2000 are not still accessible
to them for unspecified reasons. The letter added that the negotiation
with Addis Ababa Labor and Social Affairs Bureau that has been going
on for the last eight years was unfruitful and that the bureau is
not willing to continue talks. The letter further claims that even
though Tibeb Ethiopia has the cooperation and support of various
religious leaders and the CRDA, the implementation of the project
is not realized as yet.
Tibeb Ethiopia also announced that its main committee, which is
led by the Addis Ababa Millennium Secretariat, has conducted its
first meeting on which general objectives were discussed. The meeting
also decided to raise the issue of providing shelter for the homeless
in the presence of Addis Ababa Mayor, Berhane Deresa on the next
meeting. Tibeb Ethiopia is expecting the Millennium Secretariat
to convene on the gathering.
Tibeb Ethiopia explained that its health sub-committee is working
with the Red cross and the Addis Ababa Heath Bureau to set up a
mechanism that would support street people with medical care. It
further added that even if the Ministry of Health is studying the
matter, so far it has shown no positive response. The Ethiopian
Scout Association is closely working with Tibeb, the letter explained.
Tibeb’s food bank committee works to ensure the provision
of food for the mendicant and now with the help of sponsors that
provide them with coupons; Hope Enterprise is currently serving
food free of charge.
Over 75% of skilled Ethiopians
lost in ten years
By Tedla Desta
Over 75 per cent of skilled Ethiopian professionals have been lost
to the developed countries, a study made by the Association for
Higher Education and Development (AHEAD), a not-for-profit organization
founded by a group of Ethiopian-Canadians who reside in Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada, stated.
Another study finding in Ottawa, Canada made official in July 2007
entitled, ‘Enabling Diaspora Engagement in Africa: Resources,
Mechanisms and Gaps’ states that the African continent can
not afford to overlook its resources in the Diaspora as it seeks
to turn its fortunes around; and, considering the dismal failure
of traditional post-colonial development efforts in Africa, neither
can international organizations and donor governments that purport
to support African development.
The study asserts that Africans in the Diaspora have both the capacity
and the will to take part meaningfully in the economic, social and
political revival of the African continent. It adds that “if
the promise of the “Diaspora option” is to translate
into a significant and sustainable engagement of the African Diaspora,
with an appreciable impact on African development, gaps in current
policies and practices need to be addressed.”
The study – which was funded by Canada’s International
Development Research
Centre (IDRC) – has the objective of providing an overview
of existing policies, programs and initiatives by African continental
bodies regarding African Diaspora engagement.
The study also tries to identify existing policies, programs and
initiatives regarding Diaspora engagement established in Ethiopia
by the government, international organizations, non-governmental
organizations and the civil society, with a focus on those involving
the African Diaspora in Canada; and identifying gaps in policies
and practices regarding Diaspora engagement in Ethiopia and Canada.
‘Enabling Diaspora Engagement in Africa: Resources, Mechanisms
and Gaps’ is a comprehensive study which covers issues pertaining
to African governments, host countries, international organizations
and Diaspora communities.
Welcoming the establishment of the Diaspora Division within the
Africa Union, the Study expresses the hope that this initiative
will result in practical programs that will allow for the application
of the African capital, knowledge and skills abroad to the development
efforts of the continent.
Regarding Ethiopia, the study identifies a series of measures taken
by the Government in order to facilitate Diaspora engagement, including,
among others, the opening of Diaspora Departments within two federal
ministries, the creation of Diaspora regional offices and community
outreach and constituency building roles by Ethiopian missions.
The study also makes a series of suggestions for consideration by
the Government of Canada.
It also points out the need for bilateral and multilateral donors
to go beyond the promises made at conferences and provide the means
that would enable the translation of their stated good will into
concrete actions. Regarding Diaspora communities, the report states
Diaspora organizations need to increase their visibility so as to
improve their standing in the mainstream international development
scene as well as ensuring the relevance of their activities.
Bathseba Belai produced the study which provides means to translate
the on-going dialogue on Diaspora engagement into a possibility
of real development engagement.
The goal of The Association for Higher Education and Development
(AHEAD) is to contribute toward the improvement of education in
Ethiopia. The main objective of AHEAD is to explore, solicit, acquire
and deliver educational materials that help advance education in
Ethiopian universities and colleges.
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