Ethiopia secured USD 1.4 billion from exports over the last six months the Ministry of Trade (MoT) announced on Friday February 1, 2013. While presenting the six-month performance of the Ministry, Minister Kebede Chane said the earning has increased by five percent compared to the same period last year. However, the performance is 64.4 percent of the target. Kebede said the limitation is due to low performance in agriculture and the mining sector which are not monitored by the Ministry. The Ministry has planned to increase agricultural produces it monitors to enhance the performance. The Ministry also stated that activities are underway to address shortages witnessed in edible oil, sugar and wheat. An additional 15 percent in wheat production is expected domestically in this harvest season which he said would help address the shortage. According to the Ministry, 50 thousand tons of sugar is being imported to address the shortage until the newly constructed sugar factories are operational.

(Ethiopiafirst.com)