9 companies engage in gold exploration in Benishangul Gumuz

Nine local and foreign companies have been engaged in gold exploration in Benishangul Gumuz State during the current Ethiopian year, the state Water, Mining and Energy Bureau said.
Five of the companies are local. Two of the companies are undertaking activities to identify the quality of gold and launch production. The remaining are undertaking feasibility studies to identify sites rich in gold mine.
The companies are believed to create jobs to the local people when they enter production. Meanwhile, local people organized in associations and engaged in traditional mining are supplying over 2,000-kg of gold to market per year.

EC to release 187.2 million USD in food aid

The European Commission (EC) last week unveiled plans to release further 187.248 million USD (117.25 million euros) food aid for the world's most affected people in response to the controversial increasing global basic food prices, East African Business Week reported.
"The rise in basic food prices is a worldwide humanitarian disaster in the making. Ongoing humanitarian food programs are under enormous pressure with less food available for people already on the brink of starvation," EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel said.
He noted, "Addressing food price issue is a global challenge requiring long-term solutions but the emergency is now. We have an obligation to act and act quickly."
The latest humanitarian funding consists of 91.3million USD (57.25 million euros) taken from the existing food aid budget run by the commission's humanitarian aid department and a requested 95.7million (USD 60 million euros) in new money.
The recent publication of International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) tips that despite increment in food production, the benefits of modern agriculture have come at an increasingly painful price, paid by small scale farmers, workers rural communities and the environment. In Sub-Saharan countries, there are high import tariffs on agricultural goods averaging 33.6 percent.

Ministry, BADEA ink 86.19 million Birr loan agreement

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) signed a soft loan agreement amounting to 86.19 million Birr. Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Sufian Ahmed and Director General of BADEA, AbdellAziz Khelef signed the agreement representing their respective institutions. The money would be utilized to support the construction of Sawla-Key-Afer electric power project to be executed in the South Ethiopia People's State, according to the agreement. The project would help address electric power service to rural localities.
BADEA has been providing support for Ethiopia in various sectors including road construction, electric power supply and water development for more than two decades. The project would be completed as per schedule. The loan would support the efforts being made by the Ethiopian government to improve the socio-economic life of the rural people. BADEA has so far provided 104.73 million USD support for the development activities being executed by the government.

State constructing over 13 million Birr health stations

Construction of some 11 health stations is well underway in Beneshangul Gumuz State at a cost of over 13 million Birr. The health stations are being constructed in three Zones of the state with the stated sum earmarked by the federal government. Some 50 percent of the construction work has already been finalized. Up on completion by the end of the current Ethiopian fiscal year, the health facilities are expected to cater service to more than 259,000 people in the State.
Additional three health stations are also being constructed jointly by the federal government, State's government and non-governmental organizations operating in the State. The State's health service coverage which was less than 15 percent, 15 years ago, has now reached 62.3 percent. The State has two hospitals, 14 health stations and 155 health posts.

EC to release 187.2 million USD in food aid

The European Commission (EC) unveiled plans to release further 187.248 million USD (117.25 million euros) food aid for the world's most affected people in response to the controversial increasing global basic food prices, East African Business Week reported.
"The rise in basic food prices is a worldwide humanitarian disaster in the making. Ongoing humanitarian food programs are under enormous pressure with less food available for people already on the brink of starvation," EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel said.
He noted, "Addressing food price issue is a global challenge requiring long-term solutions but the emergency is now. We have an obligation to act and act quickly."
The latest humanitarian funding consists of 91.3million USD (57.25 million euros) taken from the existing food aid budget run by the commission's humanitarian aid department and a requested 95.7million (USD 60 million euros) in new money. The recent publication of International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) tips that despite increment in food production, the benefits of modern agriculture have come at an increasingly painful price, paid by small scale farmers, workers rural communities and the environment. In Sub-Saharan countries, there are high import tariffs on agricultural goods averaging 33.6 percent.

China provides 3 million Birr worth anti-malaria medicine

China has provided three million Birr worth medicinal drugs in donation to Ethiopia with a view to strengthening ongoing efforts aimed at preventing malaria. Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Lin Lin handed over the donation to State Minister of Health, Dr. Kebede Worku.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the Ambassador said the relation between Ethiopia and China is being strengthened in all sectors. Experience sharing between high level delegations of the two countries, and the ties between the two countries in trade, investment, culture and education sectors indicate the ever growing bilateral relation.
The relation between the two countries in the health sector is one of the major areas of cooperation, the Ambassador said. The support would renew China's commitment to support Ethiopia in its efforts to prevent malaria epidemic.