As part of his national tour, PM Abiy Ahmed travelled to Gambella regional state last weekend, where he addressed residents of the city of Gambella and its environs gathered at the Gambella Stadium.

Bid document

The Ethiopian government has delegated the Office of the Attorney General (AG) to file charges at the International Court of Arbitration against the Dutch Company that patented teff grain.

Getahun Mekuria, minister of Science and Technology (MoST) told Members of Parliament that all the efforts to settle the longstanding disputes with the Dutch company – Health and Performance Food International (HPFI) – bore no result.

According to him, Ethiopia has sought justice that would nullify the patent rights over teff grain the company has registered in five countries.

“Over the past nine months, extensive efforts have been carried out to reclaim Ethiopia’s patent right for its teff grain. However, the Ministry has finally come to the decision that there is no any alternative way other than seeking justice through courts to acquire Ethiopia’s patent right.”

According to Getahun, the unfortunate negotiation result prompted the government to give the Office of the AG the green light to take the matter to an international tribunal. He added that all the required documents and pieces of evidence have also been submitted to the AG.

Since the past decade, the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) – along with other local and international partners – undertook various efforts to claim the patent right through negotiations, public campaign and using legal means. A committee was also created at the national level with the aim of pursuing the restoration of teff patent rights. However, the issue did not get a solution until now.

Nevertheless, the Dutch company unilaterally secured patent rights of the grain’s products in the Netherlands and currently; Italy, Britain, Germany, Austria and The Netherlands are five of the nations that have recognised HPFI with the patent rights to sell teff in the form of flour or cake.

Teff – being a gluten-amino acid-free grain – is in high demand in the world. Having anticipated a rise in its demand in future years; experts have been urging Ethiopia to utilise the opportunity and benefit from the world market by ensuring its patent right.

But the Dutch company’s transgressions were reportedly a violation of an agreement on access to teff genetic resources it entered back in 2005 with the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization to enjoy a fair and equitable share of benefits derived from the use of teff grain.

The agreement reserves any intellectual property right over teff varieties and any related traditional knowledge of the teff-farming local communities of Ethiopia. Yet any plant variety protections were to be owned by the company and Ethiopia.

Nevertheless, after the agreement, the company reportedly took some measures contrary to the terms of the agreement, and since 2007, the company cut all communications with Ethiopian authorities.

Similarly, The Netherlands government was accused in a report for failing on its international obligations by not regulating its company’s monopolistic activities over Ethiopia’s teff.

It is believed that Ethiopia is the first country to domesticate the teff grain across its highlands between 4,000 BC and 1,000 BC.

This article initially was published on The Reporter

Over the past three years, the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels has been actively promoting Ethiopian tourism destinations and attractions by participating in holiday fairs and organising tourism events. This article was originally published in the 10th issue (April 2018) of The Ethiopian Messenger, the quarterly magazine of the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels.

Over the past three years, the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels has been actively promoting Ethiopian tourism destinations in Benelux and Baltic countries, in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines in Brussels (EAL), the Ethiopian Tourism Organization (ETO) and the Ethiopian Tour Operators Association (ETOA). Considering the European public’s habit of visiting holiday fairs to discover future travel destinations, the Embassy took the lead in coordinating various Ethiopian tourism stakeholders to take part in major holiday fairs in the Benelux Countries. A significant number of people were able to discover the country’s rich culture and natural beauty through such events.

On each occasion, the elaborate Ethiopian stands, in addition to the traditional music, dances and coffee ceremony never failed to catch the eyes of intrigued visitors. By stopping at the stand, visitors not only obtained practical information about the country but also experienced the hospitality of Ethiopia by enjoying a warm cup of coffee while sitting on a traditional stool, surrounded by the aroma of Ethiopian roasted coffee beans.

A new image for the country

A key moment for European visitors is to discover the reality of a country that is miles away from the barren land described in the 1980s. After broadening their knowledge, most visitors conclude that Ethiopia is a must-see destination and inevitably ask the same question: “When the best season to visit Ethiopia?”. Tour operators and Ethiopian Airlines play a crucial role in providing information on Ethiopia’s tourism destinations and flight details. Over time, holiday fairs have also become a platform where Europeans travellers who have visited Ethiopia to share their testimonies. It is not rare for them to express their intention to visit Ethiopian again. The Embassy has worked tirelessly to make use of this crucial platform to showcase Ethiopia as a must-see touristic destination in Africa offering a uniquely rich culture and endowed with the awe-inspiring natural scenery.

Many factors have played a role in the constantly increasing number of tourists visiting Ethiopia, such as its stability and its dynamic economic development. The growing interest of European media also played a positive role in placing Ethiopia as an important cultural touristic destination in Africa. More and more journalists are visiting Ethiopia to film documentaries or write articles about the country. In parallel, Ethiopia has caught the attention of several bloggers and travel magazines. For instance, the Daily Mail vaunted the beauty of Ethiopia in an article titled “Forget sunny Spain, enchanting Thailand and the romance of France: Ethiopia is named ‘World’s Best Tourism Destination.” Thanks to their reporting and testimonies, the image of Ethiopia of the 80s is beginning to fade away from popular memory.

Recent holiday fairs

The Embassy’s efforts would not have succeeded without the active support of Ethiopian Airlines Benelux Area Office. The national carrier is connecting Africa to the world thanks to its flights to 56 cities in Africa, to 18 Europe & America destinations and 26 terminals in Gulf countries, the Middle East & Asia. The Airline has always been a part of the Embassy’s efforts in promoting the new tourism brand dubbed ‘Ethiopia Land of Origins’ in several tourism events organised in the past. Mr Bisrat Tedla, manager of EAL Brussels, has made a valuable contribution towards promoting Ethiopia in the Benelux countries. The Embassy has been playing a major role in facilitating the participation of several Ethiopian tour operators through active engagements with the respective organizers of the fairs. So far this year, the participation of Ethiopian tourism stakeholders to the holiday fair of Brussels (Salon des vacances) and of Luxembourg (Vacanz) has been widely successful. The Brussels holiday fair was marked by a stand designed to replicate the Church of Lalibela, while the traditional coffee ceremony got the attention of Belgian RTL TV channel and several other journalists and bloggers. Similarly, Ethiopia’s participation to the Vakanz Tourism Fair of Luxembourg included cultural performances by the Ethiopian Diaspora in Luxembourg and the Luxemburger Wort daily featured Ethiopia’s stand in its front page dedicated to the fair.

Major tourism promotional event in Ghent

More significantly, the Ethiopian Embassy organized a workshop on tourism on 13 March 2018 in close collaboration with the University of Ghent and Koombana Bay Tourism Marketing & Communication Agency. Over 19 Ethiopian tour operators and Ethiopian officials lead by H.E. Meaza G/Medhin, State Minister for Tourism, took part to the event for the first time. The workshop also served a platform to establish a Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) links, as it has brought together over 150 Destination Management Companies, Tour Operators, journalists and bloggers from Belgium and the Netherlands. After welcoming remarks by Ambassador Ewnetu Blata, charge d’affaires at the Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels, and an opening speech of H.E. Meaza G/Medhin which gave an insight about the development of Ethiopia’s tourism sector to attendees. The Acting CEO of the ETO, Yechale Mihret, and Area Manager of the EAL (Benelux Area Office) presented several Ethiopian tourism attractions and the flight destinations of EAL. ETOA’s Representative, Mr Desale Mitiku mentioned the untapped tourism potential of the country and underscored that visiting Ethiopia is like visiting three countries at the same time due to the country’s long and rich history, unique nature and incredible cultural diversity.

Later, ample time was given for networking opportunities resulting in fruitful connections among the participants. The workshop also contributed in promoting the Ethiopian culture as were offered Ethiopian authentic food by Toukoul Restaurant (Brussels), were entertained with a coffee ceremony and Washint Music (an Ethiopian traditional instrument similar to flute) and an exhibition of Ethiopian traditional costumes and crafts organized by Mrs Tezerash Asfaw-an, a prominent member of the diaspora in Belgium. In a nutshell, this tourism event was successful as it brought together all the key stakeholders in tourism and the European public to scale up the flow of tourism to Ethiopia.

 

 

Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have managed to resolve differences on key issues regarding the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD).

 The countries have managed to reach consensus on issues that stalled the negotiation in the tripartite meeting which held on Tuesday 15 May in Addis Ababa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the issues that the three countries have reached consensus yesterday are in accordance with the national interest of Ethiopia.

 The consensus reached on the establishment of an independent team to study the filling of the GERD reservoir and operating the dam is a major success. The agreement is a step forward for Ethiopia that has been insisting on the need to resolve difference jointly without the involvement of a third party.

 Egypt had been insisting for an involvement of a third party in the negotiation, which Ethiopia and Sudan had strongly opposed. The issue has been discussed for more than a year due to this.

The three countries have now reached agreement on the issue, as Egypt changed its view in this regard. Accordingly, a team that consists of five individuals from each country will be established to study the filling and operating of the dam.

 Another issue that stalled the negotiation was Egypt’s refusal to accept queries and concern from Ethiopia and Sudan on the terms of reference presented by the consultant firm.

However, the three countries have resolved this difference in yesterday’s meeting.

They agreed to present any of their query and concern through the tripartite technical committee in an organized manner to the firm.

They also agreed to discuss the responses of the consultant in their upcoming meeting.

Holding a high-level meeting at the level of the leaders twice a year in each country is among the agreed points.

They are also agreed to meet in Cairo at the beginning of June to discuss the framework that would allow the establishment of a joint infrastructure fund.

The final document is expected to be presented to the leaders in order to be approved.

Ethiopia has been discussing with the downstream countries to reach agreement on the time that should take to fill the dam without harming those countries and ways of presenting queries and concern on the intended studies.

The countries have managed their differences in yesterday’s meeting that continued until midnight.

 In his concluding remarks, Workneh Gebeyehu, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister expressed happiness over the agreement, as the issues that have been stalled for a long period of time are solved.

 He also expressed hope that the agreement would strengthen the people-to-people relations between the countries.

 Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri on his part said the meeting was conducted in a spirit of brotherhood and transparent way. He appreciated Ethiopia for its efforts towards reaching consensus.

 Sudanese Water Minister Mutaz Musa said that the meeting is unique as they are managed to resolve their differences following extensive discussions held for more than a year.

 He added that the achievement displayed that the countries can manage to narrow their differences without the involvement of a third party.

The month of Ramada is unique as it concurs with peace, love, kindness, unity and other several religious values, the Premier said in his message.

“I strongly believe that Ramadan will be a month in which you pray for peace, unity and prosperity of Ethiopia,” said Prime Minister Dr Abiy.

As a month of fasting, Ramadan will give us an opportunity to carry out practical activities that are beneficial for the country and the people.

Accordingly, “during this month of fasting, I urge you to pray as usual for peace and uphold Ethiopian’s age-long history of living in harmony,” he added.

The Premier finally wished all Muslims a peaceful and happy Ramadan.

The holy month of Ramadan will start tomorrow.

Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has reiterated his stance on financial transparency in a meeting with top government appointees including members of the cabinet on Tuesday 15 May. The meeting was aimed at finding ways through which officials could deliver results and respond public demands.

Abiy stressed that the historic transition of democratic power in early April had set fertile grounds for more changes.

Foreign trips of officials and their destinations are going to be strictly monitored as a means to improve accountability. Foreign bank accounts of government officials are also under investigation.

The Premier mentioned that there are officials who travelled abroad more than 10 times within a year unnecessarily. In addition to the excess travel, there are also officials who stop over to visit some places other than their original destinations.

These make the implementation of strong monitoring mechanisms necessary to save the country’s resource.

Unnecessary travels of government officials will be cancelled in order to save time and cost alongside ensuring transparency and accountability.

Regarding the investigation on foreign bank accounts of officials, Abiy said: “investigation is being conducted on foreign bank accounts of government officials to ensure accountability and transparency”.

He said countries are collaborating with the Ethiopian government in the investigation. The premier pledges to disclose the result as soon as the investigation completed.

The premier is also said to have moved weekly cabinet meeting to Saturday from Friday as part of a move to avoid waste of time during a working day.

In his inaugural speech to the House of Peoples’ Representatives in April, Abiy pledged to fight corruption, which is among the causes that galvanized the grievances of the people in recent years.

He stated during the time “We have come to learn that it is impossible to combat corruption by merely establishing anti-corruption institutions. I politely ask all of us to do all we can to ensure that Ethiopia won’t become a country where one works hard and the other simply snatch it away”.

He also said that it is impossible for a people and a country that are busy taking away the created wealth to reach the desired level of development.

“Rather, let us busy ourselves with utilising the unique opportunities presented to us by the circumstances, coordinating our national capacity, and overcoming our scarcity and shortage mindset,” he said.