By our staff reporter

Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations underscores that the recent membership into BRICS will bring astronomical opportunity for the country.

The city chamber, which is the oldest and sturdiest private sector body well known for its strong policy recommendation, research papers and advocacy, disclosed that the membership of Ethiopia in the emerging global association as crucial for both country and region.

Mesenbat Shenkute, President of the Chamber, said that the acceptance of Ethiopia as one of the members of BRICS is a turning point for opening a new window of opportunities for the country and the region as well.

“We are optimistic that the government will make important policy revisions aimed at our business people who are widely participating in the new business block with more foreign investment set to come in,” she said during the launching of the annual grand trade fairs which are the major promotional activities that the Addis Chamber carries out regularly.

“It should also be noted that a lot of support is needed from the government side towards helping our emerging private sector in the international market,” the private sector association leader underlined, adding, “In this regard, I would like to reaffirm that Addis Chamber will do everything possible in its capacity to advance trading and investment as well as equally advancing the issues and the concerns of   the private sector.”

The Addis Chamber has long been organizing the annual grand business promotion events dedicated to promote trade and investment.

This year, the Addis Chamber has identified key and strategic business trade fairs to be staged which are presumed to boost trade ties and networking among businesses. The sectors include services, food, agriculture and manufacturing that are key sectors of the Ethiopian economy.

“Business events which will be hosted by our chamber facilitates an ideal platform to discuss and exchange ideas and solve challenges associated with technology that local service provider’s face,” Mesenbet said. 

The Addis Chamber this Ethiopian budget year trade fairs includes the 14th Addis Chamber Specialized International Agriculture and Food Trade Fair (AGRIFEX-Ethiopia), the 26th Addis Chamber International Trade Fair (ACITF) and the 6th Addis Chamber International Manufacturing & Technology Trade Fair (MATEX-Ethiopia) that shall attract thousands participants and visitors from all over the world.

The events are scheduled to be held at the end of this year, and February and May in 2024 respectively.

By our staff reporter

The upcoming 128th anniversary of the Battle of Adwa is expected to be honored in the majestically newly built facility, Adwa Zero Kilometer Museum Project around the vicinity of Emperor Menelik II Square at the heart of Addis Ababa.

The Adwa Victory Day, which is a national holiday in Ethiopia, celebrated on every March 2, in commemoration of Ethiopian victory against Italy’s colonization effort at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, has since time in memorial been celebrated in front of St. George’s Cathedral and the Addis Ababa City Administration building. This upcoming ceremony is now expected to be celebrated in pomp in a new venue courtesy of the Adwa Zero KM project nearing full completion in a couple of months.

According to the Addis Ababa City Administration Mega Projects Office, the project, which is among the several huge projects handled by the city government in the capital has achieved over 87 percent completion and is well on its way to be accomplished within the coming three months.

The Adwa Zero Kilometer project, which is located centrally, is a popular location since it is adjacent to the capital city’s municipality. The area now combines different facilities including offices, recreation centers, shops besides the memories and museum of the Victory of Adwa that commemorates heroines and heroes, who led the battle and scarified themselves in the battlefield, “It is designed and build to show our forefathers brevity and the continuing struggle of the generation who is working strongly to change the country.”

Dawit Tibebu, Contract Administration Director at Mega Projects Office disclosed that the project is on its final stage, “The facility is on its accomplishment level that all necessary finishing materials have arrived at the site.”

According to Dawit, the facility that is stated as suitable for visitors will be open to the public in the near future.

The complex structure is said to be erected with a combination of latest construction standards and high technology at a cost of 4.6 billion birr.

The facility is being constructed by renown, Chinese Jiangsu International ETCG Ltd on a 3.3 hectare of land covering the space that was fenced prior to the project commencing about four years ago.

The project has 11 blocks with a total area of 45,000 square meters.

The building will accommodate art works that show the history of the Battle of Adwa, archive and research center, cafeterias, two cinema halls, playground-indoor games and children playground, fitness center – aerobics and gymnasium, and of course shops since the area, Piassa, is also well known as a shopping destination in the city.

According to the design, the biggest hall in the city will be located in the same facility, with a multipurpose hall with up to 4,000 seats capacity besides city hall’s 2,000 seats.

The city council and councilor’s office is also said to be moved to the new facility.

According to the Mega Project Office, the facility will have taxi and bus terminals with 1,000 parking lots that is expected to clear the surrounding location making it more attractive and suitable as a walkway for city dwellers.