Qatar asks for another chance to develop prime plot

Negotiations are underway between the Ethiopian Government and Qatar Investment Authority to have another plot of land set aside so they can build a multi-purpose building in Addis Ababa.
“We are doing this to reaffirm the State of Qatar’s long-standing desire to establish strategic investment projects in Ethiopia once these opportunities are provided by the Addis Ababa City Administration,” the Qatar embassy in Addis Ababa stated.
Previously a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the leaders of a Qatari delegation led by the chairman of Ezdan Holding Group, Sheikh Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, Sheikh Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani, vice chairman of Ezdan Group and Ali Mohamed Al Obaidli. Ezdan Group CEO and Diriba Kuma, then Major of Addis Ababa signed the agreement back in February 2017.
The project, spread over 60,000sqm of prime land, is located in the heart of Addis Ababa near Guenet Hotel, was expected to be the site of a five-star hotel in addition to other key facilities including a convention center, a tower of hotel apartments and offices, a shopping complex with many retail outlets, modern restaurants, and cafes.
However, that project was delayed so long the city took back the land to its land bank. In March of this year, Ezdan and a delegation from the Qatar Investment Authority asked for the re-allocation of the same plot of land to implement the same project; nevertheless, the request was turned down by the Addis Ababa City Administration which stated at the time that the plot of land had been given to another foreign investing company. They offered them another plot far from the city center.
The statement from the Embassy sent to Capital adds “the State of Qatar is enthusiastic to consolidate bilateral economic relations and cooperation with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and create investment opportunities that support economic growth and job creation.”
Qatar Embassy in Addis Ababa, confirmed that negotiations are underway between the Ethiopian Government and Qatar Investment Authority in a bid to reaffirming the State of Qatar’s long-standing desire to establish strategic investment projects in Ethiopia.
Although the city administration took over land from Ezdan private share company, the land is still undeveloped and no disclosed information has been given by the city administration so far.
Capital’s repeated attempts to obtain a response from city officials failed.