Over 33,350 tourists in Amhara State

More than 33,350 local and foreign tourists visited tourist attraction sites in North Gondar Zone of the Amhara State during the past six months, zonal culture and tourism department said. Planning and program expert with the department, Yelekal Demissie told ENA on Friday that the tourists visited the Semien Mountains National Park, Atse Fasil Castle, and Debre Dirhan Saint Trinity Church during the reported time.
Some 25,000 of the tourists are reported to be Ethiopians, he said, over 5.6 million Birr was secured in revenue from tourists. The amount of revenue obtained during the reported period exceeds the revenue secured during the previous year of the same period by two-fold, according to the expert. The expert attributed the success to the on-going promotional activities in line with the celebration of the new Ethiopian millennium. (ENA)

500,000 Euro contribution earmarked by Italy for ECOWAS

Italy granted a 500,000 Euro contribution to the Economic Community of Western Africa States. The contribution confirms the importance that Italy attributes to African countries and the international and regional organizations working for the development of the continent. The Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Massimo D'Alema, announced the financial support in a letter to the President of ECOW AS, Mohamed Ibn Chambas.
Out of the 500,000 Euro, 350,000 will destined to the ECOW AS Peace Fund to support capacity building initiatives, 100,000 Euro will be earmarked for the ECOWAS Fund for Small Arms and Light Weapons and 50,000 will be used to support the electoral process in Togo. This contribution to an African regional organization confirms Italy's commitment to the development of Africa. The contribution has been granted taking into account the principle of ownership and the importance of the activities of regional organizations in the field of humanitarian assistance and peace, in coordination with the initiatives of the African Union and the European Union. (Press Release)

Bale Zone licenses entrepreneurs with 256 mln Birr capital in half year

Entrepreneurs with 256 million birr registered capital have been licensed in Bale Zone of Oromia State during the past six months, the zonal Investment Office said. Office Head Idris Hassen told WIC that the investors are expected to engage in crops development, cattle fattening, agro-industry and bio-diesel. Some 50,470 hectares of land was given freely to the investors, the head said.
Upon going fully operational, the projects would create jobs to more than 15,000 compatriots, according to Idris. The entrepreneurs have started implementing their projects and several investors are interested to invest in the zone, it was indicated. (WIC)

Over 219 mln birr investment projects in Benishangul Gumuz

Some 26 investors with a combined capital of over 219 million birr have launched various investment projects in Benishangul Gumuz State over the past six months, the state investment bureau said. A team leader with the office, Abera Shibeshi told ENA that three of the investors are foreigners.
The investors have launched projects in agriculture, education, the extraction of incense and construction sectors, among others, on 35,000 hectares of land. Most of the investors have already launched constructions. The projects are expected to employ over 6,000 people when they go operational. The bureau is currently providing swift services to investors in less than 20 minutes. (ENA)

Bale Zone undertakes 25 mln Birr potable water projects

The construction of potable water projects in Bale Zone in Oromia State at a cost of over 25 million Birr is well in progress, the zonal water development office said.
Office head, Shimelis Sambi told ENA that the water project includes sinking of 25 deep, 23 small water wells, development of springs and river diversion. The budget was secured from the regional government and NGOs operating in the zone, he said .The public contributed material and free labor.
The water projects are being carried out in rural and lowland areas exposed to water shortage, the head said the projects would be completed in this budget year and would benefit over 86, 000 residents .The water coverage of the zone would reach to 43.5 from 39 percent at present. (ENA)

Companies with over 50 mln Birr capital licensed to undertake gold exploration

Ethiopian and foreign companies with over 50 million birr capital have been licensed to undertake gold exploration and development works during the past six months, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Mining Works Department Head of with the ministry, Gebregziabher Mekonnen told WIC that the licensing of foreign companies would enable the country to extensively draw benefits from its gold deposits. The exploration and development works the 10 companies have been making on 7,000 square kilometers in southern, western, northern and some parts of eastern Ethiopia are mostly encouraging, he said.
According to him, the MIDROC Ethiopia owned Legendenbi Gold Mine Company where there is huge deposit of gold has begun marketing its produce. The rising of gold price globally is attracting various investors to engage in the sector, he said further urging Ethiopian investors to benefit from the sector by establishing companies with foreigners. Ethiopia has secured close to 90 million US dollars from export of gold last budget year, according to the head. (WIC)

CNN MultiChoice African journalist awards 2008 return to Ghana

CNN International and MultiChoice this week officially launched the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2008 Awards. The event returns to Ghana where it was founded in 1995. The winners of these prestigious annual Awards will be announced at a gala ceremony to be held in Accra in July 2008.
The CNN African Journalist of the Year Award was founded in 1995 by Edward Boateng (formerly African Regional Director for Turner Broadcasting System Inc., CNN's parent company) and the late Mohamed Amin to recognise and encourage excellence in journalism throughout Africa. The competition is open to African professional Journalists (including, but not limited to freelancers) working on the continent for African owned media organizations or media organizations headquartered on the continent of Africa that produce a printed publication or broadcast through an electronic medium (television broadcaster, radio station or website) primarily targeted at and received by an African audience. (Press release)

Adigrat to construct 27 mln Birr condos

Preparations are well in progress to launch the construction of condominium houses in Adigrat town of East Tigray Zone at a cost of close to 27 million Birr, the town's administration said. Some 600 condos would be constructed in the town with the stated sum of money earmarked by the government, Mayor of the town, Mesfin Amare told ENA on Sunday.
Construction site selection and other preliminary activities are being executed, he said. The construction of the condos is expected to alleviate the prevailing housing problem in the town, the Mayor said. Some 40 percent of the construction of 660 houses launched with an outlay of 22 million Birr over the past year has already been completed. The project has created over 350 job opportunities. (ENA)