Category: News

embassy news

Premier receives award from Association of Political Consultants Africa

Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed has received an award from the Association of Political Consultants Africa – APCAfrica, in recognition to his contribution to democracy in Ethiopia.

Since coming to power, the Prime Minister contributed a lot for democracy, undertaken reforms, released several prisoners and political parties in exile returned to their country, said Kehinde Bamigbetan, President of the Association.

Bamigbetan made the remark at the fourth Africa Political Summit in Addis Ababa opened today under the theme “Campaign Financing and Elections in Africa.”

Regarding the three-day summit, Bamigbetan said the summit aims to promote and foster democratic process, principles and practices.

It also helps to establish and maintain relations between APCA members and political as well as public institutions to promote understanding and cooperation in matters pertaining to political activities and public affairs, he added.

During the morning session, European Association of Political Consultants (EAPC) President, Igor Mintusov, shared the experiences and philosophy of fundraising strategies for election and election campaigns to the attendees.

Mintusov stressed the necessity of technology and impacts of small amounts of money collected from potential voters to run political campaigns effectively.

He advised political candidates not to ignore small amount of fund collected from the masses to run election campaigns.

EAPC will support and work together with APCA in sharing experiences of political consultancy, the president stated.

EAPC Board Member, Reza Kazemi said defining target groups is very crucial for fundraising and election campaign, even if election and fundraising campaign differs from one country to another with regional and local variations.

Hard core supporters, voters who support a political goal, and people who funded campaigns before are the potential fund raisers of election campaign for the given political candidate, he added.

Source: FBC

A discussion forum on homegrown economic reforms opens today in Addis Ababa

A discussion forum on homegrown economic reforms opened at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) meeting hall this morning.

Development partners and the diplomatic community are in attendance of the forum opened by Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed.

In his opening remark, the Prime Minister recapped the key milestones achieved in shifting the economic landscape.

He added that the reform is aimed at transforming Ethiopia into the icon of Africa by 2030.

Towards this aim, the Prime Minister called upon development partners to continue strengthening their support, according to office of the Prime Minister.

State Minister of Finance, Eyob Tekalign said the homegrown economic reform will enhance job creation, inclusive growth poverty reduction and create a pathway for prosperity for all.

Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Dr. Vera Songwe for her part called upon the Ethiopian Government to increase investment by 6 billion US dollars.

The Next World Economic Forum to be Held in Addis Ababa

The 28th World Economic Forum which has been held from 4th-6th September 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa is concluded.

H.E. President Sahle Work Zewde stated on the closing session of the forum that the next is to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in September next year.

The 28th World Economic Forum held in Cape Town was fruitful in discussing pressing issues of Africa and beyond, President Sahle Work stated. “Let’s make a continent free from gender based violence, xenophobia, exclusion and all evils that hamper our continent; there is no place for such actions on Africa we want,” she added.

Africa Union Peace and Security Council PSC decides to lift the suspension of Sudan in the activities of the AU

AU Peace and Security Council PSC today at its 875th Meeting decides to lift the suspension of the participation of Sudan in the activities of the AU, AU Peace and Security Council PSC today at its 875th Meeting decides to lift the suspension of the participation of Sudan in the activities of the AU,  now that Sudan established a civilian-led Government;Commits to support its reconstruction & int’l mobilization efforts.

Ethiopian PM hails China’s support for education, human resource development

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed praised China’s support for Ethiopia’s efforts in human resource development.

At the Chinese Government Training Program Fellowship Reception organized by the Chinese embassy, Ahmed extended appreciation to the Chinese government and the ambassador “for their great effort to make this program happen.”

“I am sure this is the right investment; these bright Ethiopians will help us to bridge the people of Ethiopia and the people of China,” he said at the National Palace in Addis Ababa. “I am sure both the government and people will harvest from this investment.”

This year, 228 Ethiopians are admitted to long-term degree programs, including 66 PhD and 162 master degrees, accounting for 16.52 percent of the total scholarships China offers across the world.

“This is the time when the Ethiopian government is making special efforts to expand education, to enhance educational quality,” the prime minister said. “Efforts have been done to send more people abroad for scholarships to pursue overseas studies, and this Chinese scholarship is part of the efforts.”

Ahmed gave advice to the scholarship recipients on actively learning from China’s experience and practices of different development activities, even outside classroom, at airports, or on streets.

He also expressed hope that the recipients would come back from China with knowledge that enables them to contribute to Ethiopia’s development endeavors.

“Human resource development is an important component in the Belt and Road Initiative and within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework,” Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia Tan Jian said. “The purpose is not only to build capacity, but also to strengthen people-to-people bond.”

By Aug. 30, the Chinese government has invited over 800 Ethiopians to participate in 200 short-term seminars, training courses and workshops, and offered scholarships to about 400 Ethiopians, including government officials for longer-term bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree programs, according to the ambassador

EU provides €15m support to improve Ethiopia’s coffee sector

The European Union (EU) has provided a € 15 million support to improve the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s coffee sector.

In a press conference issued today, State Minister of Agriculture, Sani Redi, said EU’s funding would contribute a lot in improving coffee productivity through addressing the challenges facing the sector.

It would also help to export value added coffee from 28 coffee growing woredas (districts).

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture attache in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is expected to export a record-high 240,000 metric tons of coffee in 2019/20.

Ethiopia to host ITME Africa 2020

Ethiopia will host the International Textile Machinery Exhibition, ITME Africa 2020, February 14-16 next year, the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations announced in a statement.
Organized by the India International Textile Machinery Exhibition Society (ITME), the exhibition will be held in Addis Ababa, after the nation was selected because its textile industry shows significant growth within the continent.

India ITME is a non-profit organization, established in 1980, to support and serve the textile engineering industry through exhibitions, events, trade promotion services, education scholarships, student placements and consultancies.

ITME Africa 2020 will have at least 220 exhibitors and pavilions from China, India, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Turkey and other African countries, in addition to the host, the organizing committee reported.

The event is a great opportunity to attract foreign direct investment and boost the development of the industry in Ethiopia, which has enormous untapped potential and many options for multiple growth, the press release notes.