71 investors receive licenses in Harari state

Some 71 investors with a combined capital of over 206 million Birr received licenses in Harari State during the past Ethiopian budget year, the state trade and industry bureau said.The investors are engaged in real estate, agriculture, construction, education, health and mining sectors, among others. The investment projects would create jobs to over 600 citizens when fully operational. Activities are underway to promote investment alternatives in the region. (ENA)

Youth focused dev’t strategies bearing fruit

Designing and implementing youth centered development strategies create opportunities for the youth to participate and contribute to development activities, it was indicated. Speaking at the marking of world youth day yesterday, Addis Ababa City Administration Deputy Mayor and Information Bureau Head, Kefyalew Azeze, said change and development package of the youth being implemented would make the youth direct participants and beneficiaries of the development activities in the country. The city administration plans to execute many youth centered development activities, he said, adding that the youth would actively and extensively take part in the activities. Addis Ababa Millennium Office Director General, Kiros Hailesellasie said on his part this year’s world youth day is marked under the motto “Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action” and went on to say that the youth should play a leading role regarding this serious issue.
Addis Ababa Youth Association Chairperson, Tatek Kasa, said on the occasion that the youth should organize themselves in various associations and be involved in different national development endeavors so as to address their social and economic problems by improving further the encouraging efforts so far. Over 1,000 youth members and students engaged in voluntary services from universities and colleges took part in the celebration. (Walta)

European Commission allocates 29.5 mln euro in humanitarian aid

The European Commission allocated 29.5 million euro in humanitarian aid to Ethiopia.
The Commission has allocated 4 million euro for health, water and sanitation, 19.5 million euro for food aid as well as food security and the remaining 6 million for drought preparedness. The funds are channeled through the Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), indicated. In a related development the government of Turkey has decided to donate 600,000 USD to Ethiopia. According to a issued by the Embassy of Turkey, the donation would be channeled through World Food Program (WFP). (Walta)

Ethiopians living in California invest at home

Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian-origin living in California and its surroundings are reportedly engaged in various investment activities at home, Ethiopian Mission in California disclosed. Over 70 compatriots are currently engaged in service provision, trade, construction and construction materials supply investment sectors in Ethiopia. About 90 thousand Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian origin are engaged in various professions in the USA, the Ambassador indicated, adding that their involvement and participation in the development of their country is growing from day to day due to the adequate and up to date information being provided to them by the Mission.
California being the richest among the 13 States of West USA and the fifth in the world, the Ambassador said the Mission has carried out awareness raising about the investment opportunities in Ethiopia to the business people in the State. The Ambassador said the Mission has undertaken various promotion works on trade, investment and other sectors thereby securing market for various domestic products. Similar efforts will be intensified, he added. Despite differences in political outlook, most Ethiopians are closely working with the Mission, the Ambassador noted. The Ethiopian Mission in California will continue concerted efforts in marketing, recruitment of investors and image building, it was learnt. (Walta)

Re-erection of Axum Obelisk to be colorfully inaugurated

The inauguration of the re-erection of Axum obelisk would colorfully be held in the presence of high level officials, an Italian delegation and international media, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ethiopian millennium celebration secretariat said. The thirty-member Italian delegation among international media personnel would attend the event, Culture and Tourism Minister, Ambassador Mohammud Dirir, Secretariat Director, Seyoum Bereded, and general manager of the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage director, Jara Hailemariam said in a joint press conference.
Over 1,000 local and international guests are invited to attend the colorful ceremony to be held on September 04, 2008.The event is the result of Ethiopians, fellow Africans and other partners added to the goodwill of the Italian government to return the monument to its original land. The return of the obelisk plays its own role to efforts to return illegally possessed heritages. The inaugural of the re-erection is special as it falls towards the end of the new Ethiopian millennium celebration. A panel discussion on making use of nation’s heritages to expand tourism would be held as part of the inaugural ceremony. (ENA)

Over 40mln birr dev’t institutions go operational in West Gojam Zone

Majority of the over 40 million birr development institutions launched in West Gojam Zone of Amhara State have reportedly gone operational. Some 40,320,000 birr was allocated by governmental and non-governmental organizations at the beginning of 2000 (E.C.) for the construction of the residential houses, health, potable water and education institutions most of which have been completed and become operational, according to West Gojam Zone Chief Administrator, Lake Ayalew.
Among the institutions that went operational include 40 health, 86 education and 520 potable water institutions, the chief administrator indicated. Some 30 health centers and posts were also finalized, he said, adding that the institutions would benefit over quarter of a million inhabitants. The construction of some 27 condominium houses launched five months ago with over 17.7 million birr in Fenoteselam town is also being expedited, he indicated.(Walta)

ERA to execute over 8.4 billion Birr worth road projects

The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) announced plans to execute various road projects with an outlay of more than 8.4 billion Birr during the current Ethiopian fiscal year. The construction, upgrading and maintenance of main and feeder roads as well as bridges will be carried during the reported period. The cost for execution of the road projects will be covered by the Ethiopian government, international donors, and the Roads Fund. Various activities related to the road development sector will be carried out as well, the head said. According to the head, roads that cover more than 19,000-kms will be constructed and renovated during the current Ethiopian budget year. (ENA)