Heifer slaughtered for devouring 9,800 Birr worth paper money

A unique heifer lost her life for devouring 9,800 Birr worth paper money, The heifer owned by a local farmer, Elias Bobie, consumed the stated amount of paper money for supper.
The owner, who lives in a rural locality in Damot-Gale Woreda, Wolayita Zone of the South Ethiopia Peoples' State, lost 6,400 Birr mistakenly dropping the cash in the silage. The 'culprit animal' was identified after the family found 1,600 Birr worth paper money around the feasting heifer. The angry owner slaughtered the heifer and retrieved 3,400 Birr from the belly of the convicted animal. (ENA)

EU provides 30mln Euros for drought preparedness in Horn of Africa

The European Commission has reportedly allocated 30 million Euros to alleviate the looming drought in the Horn of Africa. The European Commission Delegation to Ethiopia said nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists in Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda will benefit from the assistance.
Some 12 million people who are at risk in the region due to severe droughts will benefit from the assistance. The commission aims to assist those people by providing potable water, human and veterinary health service, mainstreaming of community preparedness and coordination. The new funding will bring the commission's total humanitarian support for vulnerable people in the Horn of Africa to almost 460 million Euros since 2005. (Walta)

Two foreign investors to launch over 22 million Birr projects

Two foreign investors with a combined capital of more than 22 million Birr would launch various investment projects in Arsi Zone. Italian and Saudi Arabian investors have already received 150 hectares of land in Ziway Dugda and Jeju Woredas to execute modern agriculture. While going operational the projects are expected to create casual and permanent jobs for 60 people. Chief Administrator of the Zone, Omer Hussein expressed the administration's readiness to provide support for the success of the investment projects.
More than 300 investors with an aggregate capital of more than two billion Birr have been engaged in various investment sectors in the Zone. (ENA)

Kombolcha college finalizes 54-million-birr expansion project

The Kombolcha Technical and Vocational Education Training College has finalized a 54-million-birr expansion project. The expansion work launched in 2003 with 15 million birr was completed last month. The expansion work includes the construction of classrooms and offices as well as eight buildings for workshops.
Machineries that support the practical training have also been installed with 39 million birr. The college which used to training students in industry and water technology sectors five years ago is now offering train in 12 departments of construction, water technology, business and industrial sectors, he said. The enrollment capacity of the college has also jumped from 250 to over 1,800. (Walta)

Investors launch more than 96 million Birr projects

Investors with a combined capital of over 96.4 million Birr have launched various projects in West Arsi Zone over the past seven months. The investors licensed and received 653 hectares of land have already launched construction.
The investors are engaged in agriculture, agro-industry, hotel and tourism, health and education sectors. While they go fully operational, the investment projects will create job opportunities to about 3,360 citizens. The office has designated more than 320 hectares of land as investment zone for investors who want to be engaged in various sectors including coffee, forest and crop development. Some 93 investors who registered a combined capital of over 574 million Birr over the past year are currently undertaking various projects on 5,000 hectares of land. (ENA)

Enterprise earns over 35 million birr from oilseeds export

More than 35 million birr was secured from oilseeds exported during the past six months, according to the Ethiopian Grain Trade Enterprise. The stated amount of money was obtained from the export of close to 50,000 quintals of haricot bean and sesame.
The enterprise exported the crops as they were neither in high demand by local factories nor consumed by individuals. Though the enterprise used to generate foreign currency by exporting sesame, nigger seed, flaxseed, soya bean and other oil seeds, it was this time restricted to those two taking into consideration the price hike in the country. At present it has fully stopped exporting such produces. (Walta)

Investors with over 2.7 bln birr capital licensed in Adama town

Entrepreneurs with more than 2.7 billion birr capital have reportedly been licensed in Adama town of Oromia State during the past seven months. The 1,636 investors would engage in industry, hotel, education, health and other sectors.
Upon going fully operational within the coming three years, the projects would create jobs to 4,000 people. The investment flow has grown by more than double when compared to same period last year and among the entrepreneurs some are foreigners. The growth to the prevalent efficiency and good governance in the administration. Additionally, over 86,000 hectares of land is designated as industry village. (Walta)

Farmers Union importing fertilizer with 220 million birr

Erer Farmers Union has purchased fertilizer with 220 million birr to enhance productivity. The union has procured 250,000 quintals of DAP fertilizer from a German-based fertilizer manufacturing company.
The union put the order last month it obtained loan from the Bishoftu branch Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. The fertilizer to be imported via Djibouti within 45 days would contribute to the economic growth of the state by boosting productivity of farmers. The union has also been supplying 6,000 quintals of select seeds and grain for farmers and residents at a reasonable price. Established with 190,000 birr capital nine years ago, Erer Farmers Union has at present 12 million birr capital. (Walta)

Plastic factory produces 58mln birr worth products that help expand irrigation dev't

Biruh Tesfa Plastic Factory said it has produced 58 million birr worth plastic products that help expand irrigation development activities in the country this budget year. Factory General Manger Abdurahim Mohammed told WIC today that the products would be utilized for irrigation, construction works and potable water pipes.
He said the factory has in particular been widely distributing drip irrigation technologies that could help utilize water efficiently in rain deficit areas. Established with 60 million birr capital five years ago, the factory under Dejena Endowment has 150 workers, it was indicated. (Walta)