ERA to secure 240 million birr loan from Kuwait Fund

The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) and the Kuwait Fund have reached Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) providing the latter to provide over 240 million birr loan for execution of Wekiro - Zalanbessa road project. The parties have reached at MoU after they held discussion and evaluated the project.
The Ethiopian government would cover part of the total budget required for the implementation of the project. The road, which has 96-km length and 1.5 meter width, will contribute a lot to accelerate socio-economic activities in the area.

Agency licenses 536 million Birr investment projects

Various investment projects with an aggregate capital of over 536 million Birr were licensed in Gambella State, the State investment agency. The projects are mainly in the areas of agriculture, agro industry, health, education and construction of hotel and real estate.
The number of projects licensed during the reported period exceeds that of last year same period by three fold. Galwak attributed the success to promotional work done during the millennium celebration. When the investment projects go fully operational, they would create over 7,500 jobs. The director some 82 investors with a combined capital of 1.7 billion Birr have engaged in various sectors in the state.
German Parliament donates over 300,000 Birr worth books to HPR
The German Parliament Bundestag donated more than 126 law and reference books worth over 300,000 Birr to the Library of the House of Peoples Representatives.
Ambassador of Germany to Ethiopia Dr. Claas Dieter Knoop handed over the donation to Speaker of the House, Ambassador Teshome Toga. Speaking on the occasion Ambassador Teshome said the donation would help parliamentarians to get reference materials that are very useful to their work. It would also strengthen the capacity of the Secretariat by providing information. The government of German is helping Ethiopia in various development endeavors and building of democracy.
Speaking for his part Dr. Knoop said together with regular visits of Members of the German Parliament to Ethiopia, the donation shows the furtherance of coordination and the exchange of experience among parliaments and parliamentarians of Germany and Ethiopia.
There is an increasing need to promote democracy, human rights, peace, stability and the dialogue of culture. The Ambassador reaffirmed his government's commitment to continue supporting the House and Ethiopia in building up democracy and functioning federal system. The donation consists of books covering different topics including intentional law, international relations, elections, rural development and climate change.

Over 1,000 investment projects launched in Hawassa

Investors with an aggregate capital of 3.8 billion birr have launched projects in Hawassa, South Ethiopia Peoples' State, during the current Ethiopian year alone. Over 1,000 investment projects that are believed to alleviate the socio- economic problems are launched in the town during the reported period.
The projects focus on construction, real estate, hotel, education and health, among others. The town municipality provided some 88 hectares of land for the construction of the projects. Most of the projects are believed to go operational during the current Ethiopian year and employ over 61,000 people. Reform program being implemented since 1995 E.C has enabled to provide swift services and attract more investors to the area.

Investors to construct several libraries in Tigray state

Investors operating in Tigray state who are members of the Tigray Development Association are to construct several libraries at the premises of seven secondary schools in the region.
The construction of the libraries is expected to be finalized in the coming year. The libraries are believed to benefit over 10,000 students upon going operational in the coming academic year.
Meanwhile, additional blocks constructed in Seyul Michael secondary school in Lailay Maichew woreda at a cost of over 700,000 Birr have gone operational. The construction of the blocks has enabled to 1,000 students to get next door secondary education. The association operates to alleviate problems that a rise education, health and other social sectors.

House, Agency sign 1.5 mln Euro grant agreement

The House of Federation and German Development Service Agency signed here on Thursday a grant agreement amounting to over 1.5 million Euro, its Secretariat said. The grant would be used for program aims at resolving conflict among regional states and building up the federal system and good governance.
Deputy Speaker of the House Degife Bulla and Agency's Director Hartmut Troger signed the agreement. After signing, Troger expressed his government readiness and willingness to support the federalism system of Ethiopia. Degife for his part said the agency is closely working with the House and commended the support of the German government to enhance the federal system of Ethiopia. As per the agreement the grant would be used for three year program that would run from 2008- 2010.

African Integration Ministers to meet in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire
The Third Conference of African Ministers for Integration (COMAI III) will be held from 19-23 May 2008 in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, under the theme: "How to successfully integrate Africa", the African Union (AU) said. The meeting will be held in two phases. It would begin by Expert Meeting and be followed by the Ministerial conference, according to the statement of the AU.
The Conference is aimed at rationalizing and harmonizing the activities and programs of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), with a view to accelerating the African integration process. The meeting is also intended to recognize the important role played by RECs as central pillars for achieving continental integration. The meeting is organized by the Department of Economic Affairs of the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire. The Conference will bring together participants from the African Union Member States, Regional Economic Communities as well as regional and international organizations.