Contingent and Globeleqe Consortium secured over 850 million USD for the construction of Genale Dawa VI hydropower project, first ever independently owned private hydropower investment in the country.

President Dr. Mulatu Teshome and Company representatives held talks on the investment process in Ethiopia yesterday.

Genale Dawa VI is one of the hydropower projects identified and studied at pre-feasibility level in the ongoing Genale-Dawa River Basin Integrated Resources Development Master Plan Study Project.

The powerhouse would be located in Filtu Woreda, Liben Zone of Ethiopia Somali State, whereas the dam would take shape in the Oromia State. Once completed in five years time, the plant would have an installed generation capacity of 250 MW, Consortium Strategic Director Alexander Stewart said.

He also added that the project would offer jobs for over 55, 000 employees.

“We had very productive meeting with the President and discussed the longstanding history of cooperation between Ethiopia and the UK. We are very keen on starting the project and have strong conviction that we get full support from the Ethiopian side. We had huge investment so far and we are ready to go forward,” he noted.

Stewart further said that the capital, which is a primarily prerequisite, for the investment had already been secured hence project is scheduled to start this year.

For his part, Cambridge Industries Company Managing Director Samuel Alemayew told journalists that the companies are reputable and experienced in managing independent power generation plants in Africa.

A three year impact assessment has been completed and the company is excited to secure the capital needed for the investment, he said, highlighting up to 27,000 hectares of land would be available for irrigation.

The generated power would be sold to government power utility and other interested private companies, added Samuel.

By Desta Gebrehiwot / The Ethiopian Herald

Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said activities are underway to realize country’s structural economic transformation.

As part of the move, the premier laid a cornerstone on Thursday for the construction of Bure Integrated Agro-Industrial Park in southwest of the Amhara state.

Speaking at the occasion, Prime Minister Hailemariam said the park would bring  immense benefits for the farmers of the state.

He also noted that efforts are underway to create a strong link  between the agriculture and industry sectors.

The Premier also urged pertinent stakeholders to exert joint efforts in providing the needed input  for the park.

Amhara State Chief  Gedu Andargachew for his part expressed readiness to provide the necessary support for the park.

Upon completion, Bure Park will have 60 factories with a combined capacity of earning over 14 billion Birr annually.

Article by Yohannes Jemaneh, The Ethiopian Herald

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Aklilu Hailemikael met with Chief of Cabinet of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mr. Ovais Sarmad on the margins of the 28th AU Summit on Tuesday (January 31, 2017), during which the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to advance cooperation in areas of engaging the Diaspora to national development, and boosting partnership on migration management, and mitigation of Climate Change.

State Minister Dr. Aklilu commended IOM’s contribution to Ethiopia’s efforts of engaging the Diaspora to national development, particularly noting the organization’s support in the formulation of Ethiopia’s Diaspora Engagement Policy.

The Organization is working closely with Ethiopia in the efforts of actively involving the Diaspora in the economic development of the country through investment, technology and skills transfer, remittances, and image building of their country, Dr. Aklilu noted.

He said IOM has the potential to work closely with Ethiopia in the country’s New Diaspora Mapping project implementations. He pointed out that Diaspora engagement brings comprehensive development and well-being to a country as well as generates benefit for the Diaspora themselves.

Mr. Ovais Sarmad praised the support the Government of Ethiopia extended in the implementation of IOM’s Projects. He said, “We acknowledge the support and cooperation we have with Ethiopia.”

He added IOM is currently working in concert with the Government of Ethiopia in areas of Diaspora engagement, migration and management of displaced people and repatriation of citizens.

The two sides also shared global best experiences in engaging Diaspora to national development, among which the experiences of Mexico and India were taken note of.

Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibe upon meeting Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu in Addis Ababa on the margins of the 28th AU Summit on Tuesday (January 31, 2017) praised Ethiopia’s achievements in the health sector.

During their discussion, Mr.Sidibe appreciated Ethiopia for closely working with UNAIDS and noted that the country’s achievements in the health sector, particularly meeting the health-related Millennium Development Goals was significantly commendable.

He also reiterated his Organization’s commitment to continue to support Ethiopia in a bid to help the country meet the globally set plan of ending AIDS epidemic in 2030. Dr. Workineh on his side thanked UNAIDS for the support it has been offering to Ethiopia in the purduit of containing the AIDS epidemic. In such regards, the Minister mentioned Ethiopia’s health policy and particularly its preventive strategy.

The two sides have agreed to boost their collaboration against ending AIDS by 2030.

 

The Ethiopian Embassy, together with Ethiopian Airlines and five tour operators from Ethiopia are promoting Ethiopia at the Brussels holiday fair “Salon des Vacances”. On the 2nd of February, the Ethiopian stand was officially inaugurated jointly with the Embassy and Ethiopian Airlines.

Five Ethiopian Tour Operators are promoting the country for Belgian tourists and tourism professionals: Karibu Ethiopia Tour, Off-Track Ethiopia Tour & Travel, Tema Tour Ethiopia, Vast Ethiopia Tour And Walk In Ethiopia.