21 mln Birr investment projects launched

Some 31 investors with a combined capital of 21 million Birr has launched activities in Denbecha woreda of West Gojjam Zone of Amhara State, Woreda's information office said. The investors have been engaged in agriculture, construction hotels and tourism sectors.
Close to 600 hectares of land has been designated for nine investors who are engaged in crop, vegetables and fruits development. The investment projects would create over 2000 jobs when they fully go operational. The woreda administration has designated 290 hectares of land for investors.

Farmers secure 43 million Birr from irrigation development

Farmers, who took part in irrigation development activities in Ambalage Woreda of South Tigray Zone, have managed to obtain 43 million Birr income, the Woreda Agriculture and Rural Development office said.
An expert with the Rural Development office said that some 14,000 farmers have secured the stated sum from the sales of vegetables and fruits developed on over 2,500 hectares of land. The framers have utilized more than 10,800 quintals of natural fertilizer and improved agriculture technologies.
Town garners 32 mln Birr from revenues
Over 32 million Birr revenue was collected from various income titles from Jimma Town in the just ended Ethiopian budget year, the town administration revenue office.
The sum obtained during the reported period exceeds that of last year by 12 million Birr. The success was attributed to the implementation of Business Process Reengineering (BPR) in the office. Mohammed said the town administration has planned to collect an over 43 million Birr in the next fiscal year.

Zone launches construction of 300-unit condos

North Shoa Zone Administration said work on the construction of the 300 condominium houses, launched at a cost of 12 million Birr this year is in progress. The 14 buildings are being built at Fitche Town, capital of the zone. The housing development project has created many jobs for youth organized in nine associations. The youth are providing construction materials and are participating in the construction process as well.
The municipalities existing in 16 woredas along with the zonal town administration are providing urban plots of land to address the housing problem. The investors have been engaged in real estate development activities due to the conducive investment policies pursued by Oromia State Administration.
Private companies including County Club Development (CCD) and Ropack International are constructing houses in Sendafa woreda. Sunshine Construction Company has already taken construction plot in the same woreda to launch similar projects. The chief said infrastructure development and the growing demand of housing in the zone have attracted real estate investors in the zone.

AU decides to extend AMISOM mandate for six months

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) decided to extend the mandate of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) for an additional period of six months, with effect from 17 July 2008.
The Council further decided that the Mission shall take the necessary steps to support the implementation of the agreement on 9 June 2008, according to a communiqué issued at the conclusion of 139th PSC meeting in Sharm El-Shekh, Egypt at the level of Heads of State and government.
The Council welcomes the progress made in the promotion of all-inclusive political process in Somalia, and the conclusion made on 9 June 2008 on the agreement reached between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS), under the auspices of UN with the support of AU, other regional organizations and international partners.
The Council strongly urged all Somali stakeholders to join this process and commit themselves to the peaceful and negotiated settlement of the conflict in Somalia. It also condemns all attempts aimed at undermining the ongoing peace and reconciliation process in Somalia.
The Council has also requested the Commission, in close cooperation with the UN and other stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of the agreement of 9 June 2008, including the strengthening of AMISOM, as well as provide the necessary support to the TFG in its efforts towards the stabilization of the situation in the country.
The Council reiterates its appeal to member states to provide the required troops and other personnel to enable AMISOM to reach its authorized strength.

Shirkolle-Guba road project gets well underway

The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) said the 440 million Birr Shirkolle-Guba road construction and upgrading project in Benishangul Gumuz State gets well underway.
The project which covers a total of 136 km is being undertaken in two phases and is being executed by a Chinese contractor and through local and foreign consultants. It envisages constructing 23-km new road and upgrading the remaining. The project, being executed with budget allotted from the federal government, includes construction of a 355-mt bridge at a spot on Abay River across which the road traverses. The project is expected to be finalized by 2002. Kamashi Zone deputy chief, Taye Habte said the construction of the road would enable the zone accommodate the ever growing investment flow to the region.

Road Fund to mark 10th anniversary

Road Fund Administration is to mark its 10th founding anniversary and the new Ethiopian millennium in July. Office director, Reshid Mohammed and celebration committee coordinators said the office has financed road maintenance works over the past 10 years in different regional states which consumed 4.5 billion birr.
Some 178,300 km road was maintained over the past years through fund channeled through the office. Some 19,810 km of roads were renovated on average each year over the past years, they said. The annual fund of the office currently reached 1 billion Birr. The office would mark its 10th anniversary and the Ethiopian millennium through several events as of July. An exhibition would be organized which shows the activities of the office and the stage it has reached at present along with a symposium.