Capital

Remittances reach one Bln USD

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Djibouti Port tariff raise postponed

By Tedla Yeneakal

EPRDF raises 70 mln birr: report

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Real Estate business to go operational in Bahir Dar

By Addis Mulugeta

Ethiopian beans are smuggled to Kenya

By Tedla Yeneakal

Ethiopian Airlines trails South Africa Airways

By Groum Abate

India celebrates Independence Day

East African Submarine Cable to go ‘live’

By Our staff reporter

Kuwait bans Ethiopian, other domestics

By Groum Abate

Factory to produce gloves, footwear

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Mining company to export marble

By Addis Mulugeta

Ethiopia, WB agree to divert loans to agriculture

By stuff reporter

Agency cancels paved streets at condos

By Muluken Yewondwossen

Al-amoudi building $ 150 million hotel in Yemen

By Tedla Yeneakal

U.S. Secretary of Health Leavitt visits Ethiopia to advance initiatives

By Kirubel Tadesse

UK Mps in volunteer service

By Addis Mulugeta

Hayat opens ‘condom’ café and restaurant

By Addis Mulugeta

3G Nokia’s Ethiopic phones enter market this month

By Kirubel Tadesse

Ethiopia to export chopsticks

By Addis Mulugeta

Remittances reach one Bln USD

By Muluken Yewondwossen

During the last fiscal year [July 07-July 08], Ethiopia earned one billion dollars from international remittances transferred from Ethiopian and foreign nationals. This exceeds by 367 million dollars the previous year's remittances, according to a source within the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE). In fiscal year 2006-07 the remittance was only 633 million dollars. The official report is expected at the end of August, added the source.
Of the total, 804 million dollars is sent to individuals while the balance is for organizations.
This year, Ethiopia generated 2.5 billion dollars in foreign exchange.
"The increase is the result of NBE's directive issued in 2006 which allows money transfers," stated the source.
The 2006 Remittance Service Providers (RSPs) directive indicated that users of this system can obtain information from access points such as bank branches, post offices and related organizations. The directive aims to improve the operations of the formal remittance service in Ethiopia, to reduce the costs of remittance transfer in Ethiopia and to increase access of international remittance service for nationals and make the service quick and reliable.
The major transfer types contained in international remittance transfer are personal transfer, funds for investment, international cash donations, deposit and service payments and temporary and permanent migrant transfers.
There are over 27 remittance service providers (RSPs) who work in collaboration with Ethiopian commercial banks.

Djibouti Port tariff raise postponed

By Tedla Yeneakal

A new port tariff increment by the Port of Djibouti, scheduled to be effective as of Friday, August 15, 2008, has been postponed indefinitely, after the committee set up by the Ethiopian government to study the tariff revision sent recommendations in response.
An official at the Ministry of Transport and Communications told Capital that the technical committee finalized its assessment on the port tariff revision and sent this to the Djibouti government by way of the Prime Minister's office.
"The technical committee finalized its assessment of the tariff revision and sent its conclusion, after which the Ethiopian government was notified that the tariff raise has been postponed for an indefinite period," according to the official. "The negotiations were conducted at the highest levels of both countries, including by our Prime Minister and his Djiboutian counterpart."
It is to be recalled that President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, during his visit to Ethiopia mid July, met with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and discussed the port tariff issue, specifics of which are not open to the press. During the same visit, President Guelleh received a large tract of land estimated to be over 7,000 hectares in Bale, Oromia Regional State, for a wheat farm investment as well as 10,000 sq. meters through a free title deed to build a home, near Babogaya Lake in Bishoftu (Debre Zeit) town.
Concerned about the new tariff, Minister of Trade and Industry Girma Birru, had also traveled to Djibouti on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, and discussed with President
Guelleh, as part of the negotiations.
The committee set up by the Ethiopian government to assess the port revision includes members from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), the Customs Authority, Maritime Transit Enterprise (MTS) and the Ethiopian Shipping Lines (ESL).
If the tariff revision had become effective, the new rate would have been applied on three main services, namely an increase of 25 percent in marine charges and a 15 percent spike on both container stevedoring and cargo port dues, as well as reducing the period of free storage of cargo from the previous 15 to 8 days.
According to a study made by the technical committee, if the revision had been enforced it would have cost Ethiopia over 22 mln USD in additional costs per annum.
Part of the assessment about the revision claims that the adjustment contradicts the terms of the bilateral agreement on port utilization signed between the two governments on April 13, 2002.
Article 6 of the agreement on notification of port regulations and tariffs, states that 'when the Republic of Djibouti finally decides to introduce new regulations and tariff, it shall give the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 60 working days advance notice.

EPRDF raises 70 mln birr: report

By Muluken Yewondwossen

The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has collected 70 million birr from various businesses for the construction of a headquarters and a training center at Arat Kilo and Sendafa respectively, according to a report by the party published for its seventh annual assembly.
EPRDF had previously requested various businesses and associations to raise funds for the realization of the project.
The funding is raised by cash and in kind and the latest figure released comes after EPRDF announced a month ago that it had raised about 58 million Br from party members, some four and a half million people.
For both its political command center at Arat Kilo, and a training for its cadres in Sendafa, the party in total needs 130 million birr.
The headquarters will be erected on 4,330 square meters in Arat Kilo, off the road from Parliament building to the Social Security Authority. The party secured the plot in 2006 from the Addis Abeba Land Development and Administration Authority during the Caretaker Administration. Settling a 20 percent down payment on the 6.2 million birr lease price, the EPRDF acquired the plot for 90 years.
The design of the structure was developed by Begziabher Architects, a firm owned by Begziabher Alebel. With a budget of 40 million birr, the party plans to start construction in September 2008.
Following will be the construction of a training centre in Sendafa, 39 km northeast of Addis Abeba, in the Oromia Regional State. It is projected to consume an investment twice the amount the party will spend on its headquarters.
The centre will lie on 25 hectares, and supervision during construction will be conducted by MH Engineering Plc, a firm largely owned by Meselle Haile (PhD).
Moreover, it incorporates and administers building on 673 sq mts, a museum, 20 classrooms, each with a capacity of 70 seats, four lecture theatres with 70 seats each, and dormitories for 470 students. For senior party members, there will be VIP bedrooms with en-suite baths, a lounge, a dining-room and a kitchen.
EPRDF come into power in 1991, after the fall of the military Derg regime. It is an alliance of four groups; the Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organisation (OPDO), the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), the Southern Ethiopian Peoples’ Democratic Movement (SPDM), and the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF). Together, they control 472 of the 545 seats in Parliament, following the bitterly contested elections held in May 2005.

Real Estate business to go operational in Bahir Dar

By Addis Mulugeta

A real estate project with an allotted 150 sq mts is about to launch in Bahir Dar town, near the road to Zege Island from Bahir Dar International Airport. 400 family heads will be accommodated within 108 mid- level and other luxurious villas, each encompassing 150 to 750 meter squares.
According to Minyichil Getnent, General Manager of Impact International Engineering owner of the project, it will also include 8 two storey apartments. He said his company will construct 26 bungaloes, kindergartens and elementary schools, clinics, supermarkets and other shops. As per the four-year program, 200 houses are to be constructed and transferred to owners and with another 200 to be finalized over the next three years.
The project went operational a month ago and expects to of finalize the first phase in June 2009. Asked why the project chose to operate in Bahir Dar, the manager said, “Bahir Dar is one of the best tourist attractions in the country and has a high growth rate”. He further stated, “Economic activities in the town [Bahir Dar] are also growing at a fast pace, resulting in the flow of considerable number of people. According to our survey, there is a serious shortage of housing in the town”.
The project manager also expressed that the beneficiaries of the project are going to be clusters of employees working in governmental and other organizations. This, according to him, is due to the fact that the number of organizations operating in the town is rising.
An estimated 380 min Br apportioned for the project cetirus peribus the current cost of construction materials. Minyichil expects to get further assistance from government in getting cement from factories at competitive prices. In consequence, he said, “The government has written the necessary letters of support to the respective factories to supply as cements.
Impact Real estate also plans to engage in different regional towns and also in Addis Ababa. From about 1500 to 2000 laborers and other skilled manpower is engaged in executing the project at the moment. The figure is expected to quadruple is other projects go operational.
Minyichil gave appreciation to federal and regional governments for their cooperation in the realization of the project.

Ethiopian beans are smuggled to Kenya

By Tedla Yeneakal

Ethiopian bean exporters have complained of rising contraband via the border town of Moyale, some 850 kms south of Addis Ababa, for sale to the local Kenya market and export to other countries as produce of Kenya.
Asnake Addisu, an exporter with a local company and member of a committee set up to battle the contraband, told Capital that illegal traders buy these commodities from the local market in an area known as Shone, near the town of Shahemene, on market days, averaging 10-12 Isuzu trucks and also use donkeys to pass through the border town.
“The situation is clearly out of hand, because of the rising contraband the price of these commodities on average has risen by 60 birr per quintal in the last two weeks alone,” Asnake said, “ Our committee is working hard with the government to alleviate the problem, we urge every stake holder involved to combat the illegal trade.”
Amongst the commodities smuggled, Ethiopian Green Mung beans and red kidney beans primarily dominate the food items, which are highly in demand by the Asian market, especially to Pakistan, with the current international marker price of 625 USD per ton.
Another exporter, Anwar Ahmed, who is commercial manager of Kas Plc, says he has been to Shashemene to investigate and has witnessed illegal smuggling of these goods.
“They use ISUZU trucks from the market place in Shone to the border town of Moyale and use donkeys from there on to Kenya,” Anwar said, “One truck load could be as many as 50 donkeys carry.”
According to sources from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, concerned authorities from this Ministry have written letters to officials of the Customs Authority to take the necessary action and collaborate to put the crime under control.
Relevant officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development were unavailable for comment.
Ethiopia’s export revenues hit a record $1.5 billion in 2007/08 (July-June), just shy of the official target Coffee was Ethiopia’s top export in 2007/08, earning $525.2 million, followed by oil seeds worth $221.1 million, cereals at $141.6 million and flowers at $111.7 million. Chat, narcotic leaves that are popular in Horn of Africa countries, earned the country $108.3 million, leather and leather products bagged $101 million while gold fetched $94.1 million.

Ethiopian Airlines trails South Africa Airways

By Groum Abate

Ethiopian Airlines has lost out to South African Airways as the best airline in Africa, according to the annual World Airline Survey released by Skytrax.
The South African airline retained its position for the second year running ahead of Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways who were top contenders.
Kenya Airways emerged third behind Ethiopian Airlines.
Ethiopian Airlines has been expanding aggressively in the region in the recent past but has over the past year come under criticism for delayed flights and unkempt aircraft.
It might not be a surprise to many that Singapore Airlines has once again walked off with the award for world’s leading carrier. This is the third time the airline has won the award over the last past 10 years.
Singapore Airlines also won the award for best business class provider. The chief executive officer of Skytrax, Edward Plaisted, said that “Business class standards continue to be upgraded by airlines across the world and Singapore Airlines managed to retain their title amidst this growing level of competition.”
Three airlines from the Middle East also were awarded spots in the global airline top ten list. Qatar Airways was the highest ranked of the three. Etihad Airways made its debut on the list this year while Emirates maintained its number nine spot that it was awarded last year.
Plaisted noted that “Such growth and quality levels are never easy to maintain, but Emirates has managed to maintain its global rating this year, and can now use its Airbus A380 aircraft to try and impress passengers in the coming year.”
Plaisted believes that Etihad’s success can be attributed to its fast expansion. The chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said “Etihad Airways continues to expand its product and services, fleet and destinations and Skytrax 2008 survey is further recognition that the airline has established itself firmly on the global aviation stage.”
Ethiopian Airlines recorded strong results in many of its performance parameters during the nine months of the fiscal year 2007/08. Based on the preliminary reports, Ethiopian generated 6.6 billion birr operating revenue during the nine months which is 29% up from last year. A net profit of 484 million birr is recorded for this period which is appreciably higher than the same period last year. Ethiopian transported 1.9 million passengers, a 19% increase as compared to the previous year. “This performance was achieved as a result of the hard work and dedication of Ethiopian employees, astute leadership of the management team, the strong support from the Airline’s customers and other stakeholders,” said Ato Girma Wake, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ethiopian.
The substantial improvements in revenue and traffic growth were attributed mainly due to the apparent capacity growth in terms of increased frequency, introduction of new flights on the international sector, from cargo revenue as well as other service categories.
The total operating expenses during the nine months increased by 21%. Fuel cost representing the lion’s share, were followed by aircraft/engine lease and payroll expenses. CEO, Ato Girma Wake noted, “Fuel price remains of concern to the industry as a whole and Ethiopian believes that costs will continue to escalate into the next quarter given the present trend in fuel prices.”
Ethiopian is one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in Africa it made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946. The airline currently serves 50 destinations around the globe, 30 of which are in Africa. The addition of services to Kuwait effective June 02, 2008 will bring the number of the Airline’s international destinations to 51.
Ethiopian will be the first carrier to operate the Dreamliner-B787 in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Ethiopian Airlines has been chosen ‘African Airline of the Year 2006’ by African Aviation Journal. The key criteria for Ethiopian Airlines to have won the African Aviation Award include its financial performance and overall profitability, passenger growth, route network expansion, fleet modernization, in-flight services, and customer care.

India celebrates Independence Day

The Indian community here in Addis Ababa gathered at its Embassy premises on Friday, August 15, 2008, to celebrate the 62nd Independence Day of India.
In a colorful celebration where 250 members and friends of the Indian community were in attendance, a special publication ‘India-Ethiopia, 60 years of broadening bonds’ was launched to mark the 60th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Ethiopia.
India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Gurjit Singh, read out the address of the President of India delivered to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, to the crowd that joined him to unfurl the nation’s tricolor.
“India is a conglomeration of a diversity of cultures, languages, and religions but running through this is a unity which has given to us resilience and strength, “the message of India’s president read.
Once with a feeble economy, India which gained its independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947, is currently among countries that are in the forefront of economic growth.

.East African Submarine Cable to go ‘live’

By Our staff reporter

Venture capital cable company, Seacom, is ready to start laying of 15,000km 1.28Tbps cable along the African East Coast, as of next month. It is confident it will meet its self-imposed “go live” deadline of June next year.
Seacom president Brian Herlihy says the cable will go into service long before the 2010 FIFA World Cup kick-off. His team is trying to expedite construction in an attempt to assist with the broadcast requirements of the FIFA Confederations Cup, scheduled for mid-June 2009.
“We are very happy with the progress made over the past five months,” Herlihy says.
“Our manufacturing and deployment schedule is on target and we are confident that we will meet our delivery promises in what is today an incredibly tight market…”
Herlihy adds that 10 000km of cable has been manufactured to date, at locations in the US and Japan. Tyco Communications, the project contractor, will begin shipping terrestrial equipment this month, with the cable expected to be loaded on the first ship in September, he notes.
Laying of shore-end cables for each landing station will also proceed from next month.
“This process will comprise the cable portions at shallow depths ranging from 15m to 50m, where large vessels are not able to operate,” Seacom says.
The first of three Reliance-class cable layers will start laying the actual cable in deep water from October.
The final splicing, which involves connecting all cable sections together, will happen in April next year, allowing enough time for testing of the system before the commercial launch in June 2009.
The final steps of the environmental social impact assessment process are well advanced. All small archaeological, marine and ecological studies, which required scuba diving analysis, have been completed, as well as social consultations with the affected parties.
The cable, including repeaters necessary to amplify the signal, will be stored in large tanks onboard the ships. The branching units necessary to divert the cable to the planned landing stations will be connected into the cable path on the ship just prior to deployment into the sea, the Seacom announcement adds.
The cable will then be buried under the ocean bed with the help of a plough, along the best possible route demarcated through marine surveys.
The Seacom cable will connect SA, Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia to India and Europe. Connectivity from Egypt to Marseille, France, will be provided through Telecom Egypt’s TE-North cable currently being laid across the Mediterranean Sea

Kuwait bans Ethiopian, other domestics

By Groum Abate

Official orders have been given not to issue work or visit visas to domestic helpers from Asian and African nations as many have allegedly been diagnosed with dangerous and infectious diseases during tests after their arrival in Kuwait. The ban comes after several meetings between health and interior ministry officials, where discussions centered around the supposed prevalence of infectious diseases among workers from Asian and African countries, especially Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
It was agreed to start with a ban on Ethiopian citizens from working in Kuwait, with the exception of ministers and officials. The health ministry has sent official letters to the interior ministry asking it not to issue entry visas to all Ethiopians - be they domestic helpers, those who want to work in the private sector or even professional athletes.
An official source said these orders were issued a few days ago. Acting immigration director general, Col. Bader Saleh Al-Hamadi, has distributed the instructions to all departments and service centers. The source said the ban is part of national security and constitutes as a preventive measure.

Factory to produce gloves, footwear

By Muluken Yewondwossen

A Chinese company has signed an agreement with the Oromia Investment Commission to build four leather goods factories in Sululta, around the Weserbi area, 20 km north of Addis Ababa, at a cost of 312 million birr.
Mohamed Ibrahim, vice commissioner of the Regional Investment Commission, told Capital that 5 hectares of land have been granted to Sino Africa Overseas Leather Products plc, where it will build the four factories.
“Sino Africa has plans to complete construction within three years and work will start in November 2008. During the first phase; that will be a year later, the factory would be able to produce more than three million pieces of finished leather annually,” said Mohamed.
The factory that will start production after the tannery is completed will have the capacity to produce one million pairs of gloves annually and the third factory will produce two million pairs of shoes. The leather garment factory will sew 200 thousand jackets annually. The factory will create 1300 job opportunities.
Sino Africa Overseas Leather Products is producing leather products in China and has imported processed leather inputs like pickled wet blue from Ethiopia.
According to the vice commissioner, currently many companies who want to be engaged in the leather sector are coming to the region. The interest is due to the high potential in the country.
Mohamed said another reason for investor interests is the proximity of the country to export markets in Asia, Europe and other African countries.
According to the Ethiopian Investment Agency, currently, 160 tanning, footwear and other leather goods producers have obtained licences from the Agency.
In addition to these, 6 tanners, 7 footwear and 9 leather goods factories are under construction.

Mining company to export marble

By Addis Mulugeta

A local company, DMC-Marble Plc, has announced it has finalized preparations to export white and dark gray marble blocks and slab tiles to China, Korea and India.
According to the letter sent from Chinese company; Xiamen V-lion I/E Co.Ltd, to DMC, the Chinese have expressed interest to work in partnership with DMC.
For the first round, 20 containers, each weighing 400 kg and carrying white and dark grey marble, are ready to be shipped to China after the logistics are finalized.
Asaminew Haile Woldemariam, administration manager of DMC-Marble told Capital that his company produces 150 cube meters of white and dark gray marble per month, in the factory located Dukem town, in Oromiya Region
“We plan to increase current production by four fold. In order to do this we have ordered drilling machines and also we have expanded our company from 2000 to 4500 sqm and have started operating 24 hours,” said Asaminew.
DMC supplied white and dark gray block and slab marbles to the Amhara Savings and Credit Association and for expansion projects of the Addis Ababa, Adama and Alemaya universities. DMC is currently under negotiation with Ayat Real Estate, also to supply block and slab marbles.
DMC-Marble emerged as the second producer of white and dark gray marble in a quarry site in Cerbabi wordea, Assosa in 2003. Upon establishment the Company had a capital of 31 million birr which will be doubled when drilling machines are delivered. The Company has over 85 employees.
Research conducted on the quarry site, indicates that there is 500,000 tons of marble mining potential. According to this figure and the production capacity of the company, DMC can exploit marble there for the next 277 years.

Ethiopia, WB agree to divert loans to agriculture

By stuff reporter

Ethiopia and the World Bank are close to an agreement that will allow the Horn of Africa country to divert $237 million in loans and grants for infrastructure projects to purchase fertilizer, Bloomberg news agency quoted the World Bank as saying.
Ethiopia needs the fertilizer before next year’s planting season, Kenicha Ohashi, director of the World Bank’s Ethiopia program, said in an interview with Bloomberg on Friday, August 15, 2008.
The Council of Ministers has decided last week, Friday, August 2, at its regular meeting to approve a financial transfer bill amounting to 301 million USD.
“What we’re trying to do is provide foreign exchange,” said Ohashi said. “This is like doing budget support. It’s helping the government with hard currency.” An additional $64 million in credit from the African Development Bank will be diverted for fertilizer purchases, the state-run Ethiopian Herald said on Aug. 2.
Rising domestic demand, drought, and higher world fuel and food prices expanded Ethiopia’s trade deficit to $4.7 billion in the 12 months to July from $3.9 billion a year earlier. The country has less than two months of foreign currency reserves, according to the International Monetary Fund.
The financing of the fertilizer is equivalent to about 10 percent of the World Bank’s $2.4 billion Ethiopia program, which includes $1.6 billion in loans and $800 million in grants this year. Most of that money was allocated to road building, irrigation systems and the construction of power transmission lines to connect Ethiopia and Sudan.

Agency cancels paved streets at condos

By Muluken Yewondwossen

The high prices for materials required for asphalt road construction has led the Housing Agency to change plans to build asphalt roads in the premises of condominiums the Agency is constructing. Instead, condominiums being built in Mekanisa, Jomo, Gofa and Gotera areas are to have gravel streets.
Sources within the Agency told Capital that, the price increment has created pressures on its budget.
The Agency was keen to grant the projects to China Road and Building Construction (CRBC) which built them Micky Leland site asphalt and sewerage systems. the Agency awarded the project at a cost of 36.5 million Br to CRBC public tender. However CRBC has told the Agency that it has no interest in gravel road building, a move which forced the Agency to hire three local consultants for the revised project through public tender.
A civil engineer Capital talked to said that currently, cost for of asphalt street approach 12 million Br per km but on gravel, the agency would save 4 million Br per km.
“The money saved will have great significance to the construction of the condos,” the engineer added.
Because of financial constraints and rising prices of construction inputs, the Addis Ababa Housing Development Agency (AAHDA) has decided not to start work on 38,000 condominium units, until the last fiscal year.
Tesdale Mamo, general manager of AAHDA, had told journalists two months ago that the funding shortage occurred because funds expected from the city finance bureau were not available on time.
The project office had submitted a budget request of 5.7 billion Br, but the City Administration provided only 2.5 billion Br.
Addis Ababa City Administration, Housing Development Project Office, foresees generating 3.3 billion Br in revenues in the 2008/2009 year from the transfer of houses and the sale of shops.
The office planned to generate a much larger sum during the just started fiscal year exceeding, by 800 million Br, the budget the City Administration has allocated for the office for the same year.
Certain of the administration’s backing, the housing office has boosted the number of houses to be transferred to 80,546.
The two occasions that houses were sold on tender by cabinet decision were undertaken by the Agency. The project office will, for the first time, float a tender for the transfer of 13,000 condos in September, 2008.

Al-amoudi building $ 150 million hotel in Yemen

By Tedla Yeneakal

Ethio-Saudi business tycoon, Sheik Mohammed Al-amoudi who is also the chairman of Golden Leaves Hotels and Resorts Ltd, late last month laid a foundation stone for a hotel project in the Aser area of Sana’a, Yemen, estimated to cost 150 million USD.
Sources disclosed to Capital that the hotel that will be established on 150,000 square meters is expected to be completed within three years.
According to information obtained, Sheik Al-amoudi decided to build a hotel after a discussion he held with Yemeni officials at a Conference for Investment Opportunities, held in Sana’a in April 2007.
Al Amoudi owns a wide ranging business portfolio, notable amongst which are oil refineries in Sweden and Morocco, gold mines, agriculture projects and industrial projects. He is also the founder and chairman of MIDROC Ethiopia Group, which owns diversified business sectors in Ethiopia. His hotels portfolio includes properties in Ethiopia, Uganda, Djibouti, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Europe and Yemen where two new hotels are under construction.
In 2008, Forbes magazine ranked Mohammed Al Amoudi as the 77th richest person in the world with a net worth of $9 billion. Mohammed Al Amoudi is Ethiopia’s richest person and the richest black person in the world. In 2006 his net worth was estimated as between $2.5 and $6.9 billion, causing Arabian Business to rank him as the world’s 8th richest Arab, and Forbes to rank him as the world’s 77th richest person. Al Amoudi’s father is Yemeni and his mother is Ethiopian. He immigrated to Saudi Arabia in 1965 and became a Saudi citizen. Depending on disparate ethnic categorizations, and Al Amoudi’s mixed Ethiopian and Yemeni parentage, he is one of the richest Arabs.
Al Amoudi made his fortune in construction and real estate before branching out to buy oil refineries in Sweden and Morocco. He is said to be the largest foreign investor in both Sweden and Ethiopia.

.U.S. Secretary of Health Leavitt visits Ethiopia to advance initiatives

By Kirubel Tadesse

Senior US Government officials led by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Mike Leavitt, paid a visit to Ethiopia this week in an effort to asses and advance initiatives fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Influenza.
The Secretary, who also traveled to two other African nations, -Ivory Coast and Mali, met and discussed with top government officials including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and his counterpart, Dr. Tewodros Adhanom.
Promising results are being registered in the implementation of health projects in Ethiopia in a joint Ethiopia-U.S health program, explained Leavitt and Dr. Tewodros in their joint press briefing. The two discussed health issues in Axum town with farmers, members of the defence force and residents. The occasion created an opportunity for Leavitt to visit the site where the Axum obelisk, which was returned after 68 years from Italy, was being re-erected.
Leavitt was reported as stating that his country and Ethiopia have had a long standing cooperation particularly in the areas of health and humanitarian issues. “Such ties would further be strengthened,” Leavitt was quoted.
Promising results gained in the last three years in the health sector particularly in the prevention of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB has been highlighted during the visit.
Ethiopia, among fifteen other nations, is addressed by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) as focus countries. Under this Emergency Plan that surpasses any nation’s commitment either to Africa to any other cause, Ethiopia received more than $48 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2004, more than $83.7 million in FY 2005, and approximately $123 million in FY 2006. The support was comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs. According to recent reports PEPFAR provided $241.8 million in FY 2007. According to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, this year the U.S. government has provided more than $350 million through the PEPFAR program.
Through another one of President Bush’s initiatives [Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI)], the U.S. has allocated $19.8 million in funding and treatment for Ethiopia in 2008. The overall goal of PMI in Ethiopia is to cut malaria deaths by 50 percent by reaching 85 percent of the most vulnerable groups – principally pregnant women and children under 5 years of age – with lifesaving services, supplies, and medicines. PMI official assessment explains that Ethiopia’s program, in its first year as a focus country, has been registering significant progress in the fight against malaria. It is these major health related initiatives that Secretary Leavitt promised his country would advance.

UK Mps in volunteer service

By Addis Mulugeta

In consideration of the value and role of volunteerism, 11 members of parliament from the UK have spent the winter in developing nations. One of the members of the parliament for Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat Families Spokesperson and Shadow Minister for Cabinet affairs, Ms Susan Kramer, was a volunteer for the National Network of Positive Women Ethiopians (NNPWE).
Kramer stated, "I am delighted to be undertaking this placement with VSO. I have been so lucky in life that sharing some of my skills with people who face such huge challenges is a small thank you. Many local people in Richmond and Kingston care deeply about the developing world and I will look forward on my return to hearing their thoughts on what I have learned ".
She told Capital that there are wonderful groups of women's associations that she met during her stay in Ethiopia. These groups are speaking out on behalf of women with HIV/AIDS. They also try to prevent more young people becoming infected with HIV/AIDS in addition to help women with HIV/AIDS to have a real life, incomes, support and self-respect. "I have a voice in the parliament and the decisions we make have a big impact on the lives of the people here", Karmer added
" I have met many outstanding women and men who are perfect examples to me of people taking control of their own lives and making sure that other people are able to take control of their's."

"I see a positive future for Ethiopia, young people need some education, there is a sense here of the possibility of becoming a very prosperous and successful country.
Because young people want a future for themselves, I think it is a challenge for the government as to how they are going to be put to work."
Kramer said that women with HIV want an economic future for themselves and their children. The challenge for many of the women who need to change may be cultural attitudes that had made it difficult for them to protect themselves from diseases like HIV/AIDS, to create an economic future for them, start and run their own business, and to get assured incomes for their families.
However, this potential needs special technical support and skill. However, HIV/AIDS can destroy that future and, so prevention has to be something very important not only for the sake of young people but also for the future of the country.
She said that the goal of VSO is not to repeat the same volunteer year and in year out but to say, lets transfer that skill to local people so that in the future they say, "we do not need that volunteer any more." What we are trying to do is show these methods for the people who are the teachers of the future and we don't have to come back and the country does not need volunteer any more.
Hereny Melese, program manager of NNPWE, said on her part that NNPWE, is an umbrella for about 21 associations of women with HIV/AIDS. It builds the capacities of women living with HIV/AIDS all over Ethiopia, lets them know their rights as women living with HIV/AIDS, empower them with income generating activities.
The network has make an impact to change the life positive women in terms of teaching them how to build themselves and participate in income generating business and teaching the sense of belongingness. VSO and the network have been partners for a long. NNPWE has a chance to adopt some of the ideas and the opportunity to learn more and to build that network staff members' capacity. As far as the network is concerned, Susan Kramer is the first volunteer who has arrived here to share her skills and experiences.
VSO is currently recruiting volunteers with experience in the areas of education, healthcare, or business and management as well as lobbing, campaigning and advocacy. It is the leading international development charity that works through volunteers.

Hayat opens ‘condom’ café and restaurant

By Addis Mulugeta

Model and international beauty contest winner, Hayat Ahmed, opened a ‘condom’ café and restaurant called Bellissima, an Italian word meaning beauty, on Friday 13, 2008, Bellissima is located near Meskel Flower hotel.
According to Hayat, “I have always had an interest of going into private business. However, I wanted more than just business. I wanted to open an establishment that will have an impact on the lives of people and also business that would be a role model.”
She added that the idea of opening a condom café and restaurant came to mind while on a visit to Bangkok, Thailand, where she learnt about concepts of promoting safe sex in a café setting.
During the press conference, Hayat said that, beyond her modeling carreer, she is also committed to eradicating HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia along with DKT Ethiopia. She noted that this is great opportunity to make people aware about the epidemic and tackle HIV/AIDS.
Hayat said that the means and ways of teaching people in the café is through wall paintings, and café items such as cups and tables, etc are themed around condoms. Free condoms are available for clients. The business has created jobs for about 50 individuals, DKT is responsible for furnishing and training staff on how best to serve clients.
Yearly, five per cent of profits will go directly to HIV prevention programs and to people living With HIV/AIDS, (PLWHA).
Bellissima serves western food, focusing on Italian, and a wide range of deserts and pastries. Hayat expressed her appreciation DKT Ethiopia and to Marie Stopes International for their encouragement and support for the successful realization of Bellissima Café and Restaurant the two NGO’s have promised to deliver free condoms and other items for at least three years. She commented that in the near future, additional branches will open in various parts or Addis as well as in other countries in Africa.

3G Nokia’s Ethiopic phones enter market this month

By Kirubel Tadesse

Following the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation's (ETC) release of pre paid SIM cards that has boosted mobile handset price, BravoCom, one of the youngest telecom service providers in the region, has ordered Ethiopic text Nokia phones with 3G capability that should enter the market toward the end of this month.
In an effort to localize products, mobile giant Nokia had launched five Amharic phones in September of this year. It is by adding another eleven models to this list that BravoCom plc, official distributor for Nokia, plans to make its presence felt in a market that recently has had to entertain sudden demand due to the release of SIM cards.
This has caught off guard major mobile phone distributors including Levi Girma Wake, General Manager and majority share holder of BravoCom.
In mobile phone shops Capital surveyed, pricing on handsets show increments as high as 45 ETB on average. The sudden demand seems to be able to last for a while as ETC officials are saying adequate SIM cards are available. The mobile phone market was slow for months and major distributors didn't have stock when ETC released the SIM cards last week.
BravoCom was not particularly hurt by the absence of SIM cards from the market as it secured a deal to distribute Nokia phones not only to Ethiopia but also to Horn of Africa countries.
Taking advantage of the duty free zone in neighboring Djibouti, BravoCom has established an independent company [BravoCom Free Zone Company] there. Levi explained to Capital that after shipping thousands of handsets to the Ethiopian market, shipping back what the local market didn't consume to the neighboring markets is unthinkable since the investment made to import them in the first place is high. "What we have done is to hold the products primarily in Djibouti. And as demand comes from Ethiopia, we ship to Ethiopia or supplement any other country, "Levi explained.
The sixteen mobile phones models [with Ethiopic characters that will also enable users to communicate in many local languages] are expected to be available in two weeks. They include already popular Nokia models such as the 3G Nokia 6600 and 6500. These are in addition to their Nokia CDMA handsets that are expected in the market shortly. Nokia's effort to localize phone technology has drawn local investments to the sector Levi himself was Nokia's East Africa Account Manager.
Levi details one measure distributors would like to see the government take. This is lifting tax on handsets in order to make them affordable. As an alternative to government income they propose an airtime increment, which currently ranks as the cheapest in the region, if not the world.

Ethiopia to export chopsticks

By Addis Mulugeta

A bamboo processing plant, set up in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, is to start production in the coming two months. The plant would start with chopsticks, doors and flooring tiles. It is the first to produce such items from the ample bamboo resource in the region.
Land and Sea Development- Ethiopia (LSDE) the owner of the plant, is also looking for other partners for another venture.
The factory would produce export standard chopsticks, flooring tiles and doors for export with ample quantity.
Michael Gebru founder and director of LSDE told Capital that the company would be harvesting and re-planting bamboo, hybrid eucalyptus and other non-wood crops that could be used in the pulp and paper manufacturing process.
Land and Sea Development Ethiopia (LSDE) Plc is involved in the advanced agricultural sector including bio-fuel plants.
Michael said it was a long journey to take the company at this level and during the setting up of the company. He added that he has faced a lot of difficulties that he almost failed but as he does not want to give a bad example to the diaspora like himself he sacrificed a lot and reversed it to positive under new management.
Evan Peters General Manager of LSDE told Capital that due to the fact the company's management fragment the company lags time. He added after a new management took over the company progressed quiet rapidly.
The general manger also said that the company after the completion of the factory it would employ about 600 people. In addition to these up to 1000 workers will be working at the bamboo forest harvesting and planting on the nursery site.
According to agro-forest experts the bamboo wealth of Ethiopia is an untapped market.
It is estimated that there are between 800,000 and a million hectares of land that are used to plant bamboo all across the country.
LSDE also last week plated 10,000 seedlings of high quality bamboo in Assosa the seat of the Benishangul Gumuz Regional State.
Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on Earth. The bamboo can grow three or more inches a day though there are exceptions.
Apart from its use as wood the shoots of bamboo are edible. They are used in numerous Asian dishes and broths, and are available in supermarkets in various sliced forms, both fresh and canned version.
Bamboo leaves are also used as wrappers for zongzi, a steamed dumpling typical of southern China, which usually contains glutinous rice and other ingredients.
The empty hollow in the stalks of larger bamboo is often used to cook food in many Asian cultures. Soups are boiled and rice is cooked in the hollows of fresh stalks of bamboo directly over a flame. Similarly, steamed tea is sometimes rammed into bamboo hollows to produce compressed forms of Pu-erh tea. Cooking food in bamboo is said to give the food a subtle but distinctive taste.

In addition, bamboo is frequently used for cooking utensils within many cultures. In modern times, some see bamboo tools as an eco-friendly alternative to other manufactured utensils.
Bamboo is also used in Chinese medicine for treating infections.
When treated, bamboo forms a very hard wood which is both lightweight and exceptionally durable. In tropical climates it is used in elements of house construction, construction scaffolding, as a substitute for steel reinforcing rods in concrete construction, ... Modern companies are also attempting to popularize bamboo flooring made of bamboo pieces steamed, flattened, glued together, finished, and cut.
Besides its use as a construction material, it is also used for fencemaking, bridges, toilets, walking sticks, canoes, tableware, decorative artwork carving, furniture, food steamers, toys, bicycles, hats, and martial arts weaponry, including fire arrows, flame throwers and rockets.
The fiber of bamboo has been used to make paper in China since early times. A high quality hand-made paper is still produced in small quantities. Coarse bamboo paper is still used to make spirit money in many Chinese communities.
Bamboo has also been used in the construction of fishing rods since the mid 1800s. However, following the invention of fiberglass and graphite, bamboo use in fishing rods has declined dramatically. Bamboo is also used to make enclosures in fish farming, where cages can be made from a wooden frame and bamboo lattices.

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Ethiopian Airlines trails South Africa Airways

India celebrates Independence Day

East African Submarine Cable to go ‘live’

Kuwait bans Ethiopian, other domestics

Factory to produce gloves, footwear

Mining company to export marble

Ethiopia, WB agree to divert loans to agriculture

Agency cancels paved streets at condos

Al-amoudi building $ 150 million hotel in Yemen

U.S. Secretary of Health Leavitt visits Ethiopia to advance initiatives

UK Mps in volunteer service

Hayat opens ‘condom’ café and restaurant

3G Nokia’s Ethiopic phones enter market this month

Ethiopia to export chopsticks

Remittances reach one Bln USD

Djibouti Port tariff raise postponed

EPRDF raises 70 mln birr: report

Real Estate business to go operational in Bahir Dar

Ethiopian beans are smuggled to Kenya

Ethiopian Airlines trails South Africa Airways

India celebrates Independence Day

.East African Submarine Cable to go ‘live’

Kuwait bans Ethiopian, other domestics

Factory to produce gloves, footwear

Mining company to export marble

Ethiopia, WB agree to divert loans to agriculture

Agency cancels paved streets at condos

Al-amoudi building $ 150 million hotel in Yemen

.U.S. Secretary of Health Leavitt visits Ethiopia to advance initiatives

UK Mps in volunteer service

Hayat opens ‘condom’ café and restaurant

3G Nokia’s Ethiopic phones enter market this month

Ethiopia to export chopsticks