የህዝብ ተወካዮች ምክር ቤት የተሻሻለውን የኢንቨስትመንት አዋጅ አፀደቀ።

የኢፌዴሪ የህዝብ ተወካዮች ምክር ቤት በትናንትናው እለት ባካሄደው 12ኛ መደበኛ ስብሰባው በተሻሻለው የኢንቨስትመንት አዋጅ ላይ ተወያይቷል።

Ethiopia has earned over 1.3 billion USD revenue from the export of various products during the past six months, according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Briefing journalists today, Ministry Public Relations and Communication Director Wondimu Filate said the stated revenue shows about 10 percent growth when compared to the 1.21 billion USD during the same period last year.

The revenue obtained in the period is, however, below the planned 1.66 billion USD, it was learned.

According to the director, the income is generated from coffee, cereal, textile, chat, oilseed, spice, flower, leather, livestock, and other products exported to 137 countries.

Somalia, the Netherlands, and the USA were the major export destination countries for Ethiopian products.

Wondimu stated that the export commodities coffee, chat, spice, flower, fruit and vegetables, leather and leather products registered increased income as compared to the same period last year.

The export performance of livestock, gold, pharmaceuticals, milk, meat, honey, and chemical and construction materials are low, the director said.

Efforts are underway to create an enabling environment for ease of doing business in order to increase export, according to the director.

The online trade registration and the licensing system started is expected to improve the performance of the export sector that has been declining.

The low performance in the sector is the result of lack of foreign exchange, security, a modern trading system as well as insufficient agricultural supply, among others, the director noted.

The country is working to become a member of World Trade Organization and ratifies the Continental Free Trade Area agreement, it was learned.

In stark contrast to its export, Ethiopia imports 15 billion USD products annually, it was learned.

The Heads of State and Government of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia met in Asmara, on 27 January, 2020.
The three leaders held candid and extensive discussions on the situations in their respective countries, their tripartite cooperation and developments in the Horn of Africa region.
The three leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Tripartite Agreement they signed in September 2018 and reviewed the outcomes of their considerable joint efforts towards its implementation.
The three leaders adopted a Joint Plan of Action for 2020 and beyond focusing on the two main and intertwined objectives of consolidating peace, stability and security as well as promoting economic and social development. They also agreed to bolster their joint efforts to foster effective regional cooperation.
On the security front, the three leaders formulated a comprehensive plan to combat and neutralize the common threats they face, including terrorism, arms and human trafficking and drugs smuggling.
Regarding economic and social development, they agreed to prioritize the mobilization of their bountiful human and natural resources; build, modernize and interface their infrastructure and develop their productive and service sectors. They also expressed their appreciation for, and their readiness to cooperate with, their friends and partners, on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
The three leaders agreed to closely consult with their Brothers, Heads of State, for the realization of the aspiration of their peoples for effective Horn of Africa.

H.E. Mr. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia participated in a round table discussion organized by the African Growth Platform at the ongoing World Economic Forum.

Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, arrived in Davos, Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum, after concluding his attendance in the UK-Africa Investment Summit held in London.

During his stay in London, the Deputy Prime Minister held bilateral talks with British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Prince Williams on the sideline of the summit.

The two sides have exchanged views on ways of cementing the multilateral relationship between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom in multifaceted spheres.

Moreover, Demeke conferred with UK’s International Development Secretary, Alok Sharma, and Diageo Management Group.

The 50^th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting is being underway from 21-24 January 2020, in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

The annual meetings aim to engage world leaders in collaborative activities to shape the global, regional and industry agendas at the beginning of each year.

The development of the meetings’ program is driven by WEF’s mission- improving the state of the world.

Four global issues including climate and environmental challenges, transforming industries, driving the fourth industrial revolution as well as adapting to the demographic, social, and technological trends and reshaping education are clearly stand out as urgent and important on the agenda at the annual meeting in Davos.

The 39th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) meeting kicks off today in Addis Ababa under the theme “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development”.

The PRC will discuss draft reports and prepare the agenda of the 36^th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council scheduled to take place on February 6th and 7th, 2020.

The PRC meeting will bring together the Ambassadors of the African Union Member States, as well as AU officials.

The 33^rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) will take place from 9 to 10 February 2020.

During the summit, Egypt who served as the AUC Chair will handover to South Africa.

Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen held a discussion yesterday (January 20th)  with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London.

During the talks held on the sidelines of the UK-Africa Investment Summit, the two agreed to elevate the Ethio-UK ties to a higher level.

The Deputy Prime Minister also met and held a discussion with Prince William during a reception last night at Buckingham Palace for the summit attendees.

During the talks, Prince William expressed interest to visit Ethiopia, according to the office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

At the end of the talks, the Deputy Prime Minister invited Prince William to visit Ethiopia.

Demeke also met yesterday with UK’s International Development Secretary, Alok Sharma, and Diego Management Group.

The Deputy Prime Minister will travel to Davos, Switzerland today for the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 50th annual meeting.

The Forum will be held from 21-24 January and brings together the world’s top leaders from politics, business, civil society, academia, media, and the arts.

The 2020 event will convene nearly 3,000 participants from 117 countries, including 53 heads of state.

 

VAKANZ 2020 Luxembourg, an annual tourism fair, kicks-off today. Taking part in the fair, being held from 17 – 19 January 2020 in Luxembourg, the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels is vigorously promoting Ethiopian tourist destinations. Attended by 200 exhibitors (including Ethiopia) and attracting more than 30k visitors during the three days, the expo unlocked a great opportunity to promote tourist destinations of the Land of Origins, Ethiopia.
Co-organized by the Embassy of Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia’s booth colourfully presented tourist destinations in Ethiopia through video, printed, and oral explanations. The booth was arranged to exhibit Ethiopia’s historical, cultural, and natural tourist attractions and provide information and explanations for the visitors.
Furthermore, counting the unique Ethiopian cultural coffee ceremony in the show, attracted attention of many visitors, smoothed them additional opportunity to enjoy freshly-brewed coffee from its origin and to know more about Ethiopia and its tourist destinations.

Mr. Nebiat covered a wide range of issues that pointed out the diplomatic activities of the Ethiopian Government.

According to the spokesperson, the 26th Ethio-Djibouti Border Administrators joint meeting in its biannual conference held in Jigjiga, Somali Regional State on 14-17 January has successfully addressed ways to tackle human trafficking, strengthen security and improve transportation facilities between the two countries.

Commending the ever growing relationship between China and Ethiopia that scaled up to the level of strategic partnership in 2017, the spokesperson announced that preparations are underway to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Mr. Nebiat also briefed the media about the recently concluded discussion in Washington, D.C. on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. He said the Ethiopian Government is committed to finalize a mutually beneficial agreement on the filling and operation of the dam in the upcoming meeting on 28-29 January in Washington with representatives of Sudan and Egypt.

The spokesperson concluded his briefings announcing that in line with the Government’s citizen-centered diplomacy, 238 Ethiopian citizens are scheduled to be repatriated in 6 consecutive days as of Wednesday (January 15).