Addis Ababa, 14 November 2014 (WIC) – Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has awarded 268 extraordinary science and technology innovators today in Addis Ababa.

Speaking at the 5th National Science, Technology and Innovation Award Day marked with the theme “Science and Technology Research for Sustainable Industrial Development” across the nation, Prime Hailemariam emphasized the need to boost capacity to conduct coordinated scientific and technological researches.

According to the Premier, exerting a consolidated effort in the sector is crucial to realize the country’s renaissance.

The government is committed to enhance technological transformation in the country and support scientist in the fields, he said adding that it will be important to effectively implement the 70/30 intake system off universities so as to strengthen the need to science and technology innovation.

Minister of Science and Technology Demitu Hambissa on her behalf said that technological streams are vital to fulfill Ethiopia’s transformation plans.

It is learnt that vocational program trainers, teachers, trainees, researchers and innovators who demonstrated remarkable progress in science and math were awarded.

Addis Ababa, 12 November 2007 (WIC) – The President of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Dr. Mulatu Teshome said Ethiopia has earned close to 1 billion USD from pulses, oilseeds and spices in the 2013/4 fiscal year.

Addressing the participants of t the 4th International Conference on Pulses, Oilseeds and Species, the president said   the sector contributed 920 million USD to the export earnings of the country with a share of over 28 per cent.

The growth trajectory that we have had observed in the last four years is very encouraging, notwithstanding that the country earns from the sector is still below what it would have potentially endowed, he added.

The president also said that Ethiopia has endowed with untapped and immense investment opportunities in the areas of agriculture with favorable climate which is suitable for the production of Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices.

He urged stakeholders to participate in the sector and do their level best in contributing to Ethiopia’s strong economic performance through value addition of Ethiopian pulses, oilseeds and spices.

He also called up on investors to invest in Ethiopia where there is availability of vast, virgin, fertile and cultivable land, abundance of trained and easily trainable labor force.

Ethiopia’s trade performance has improved since the commencement of GTP I in the 2010/20111 fiscal year. However, our exports remained dominated by agricultural primary commodities, and the observed performance was substantiated by increasing the volume of export, and not through value addition, the president underscored.

According to the president, the government is fully committed not only to boost the sector’s potential but also its operational capacity by making it more vibrant to meet the needs of international markets.

The conference is organized under the theme of “Global Partnership for Sustainable Market Growth” with the objective of boosting the sector and make benefit more the economy and all the stake holders in the value chain.

Ministers, ambassadors, stake holders and Ethiopian business partners were in attendance in this a two days conference.

Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,

President of the Republic of Uganda

Excellency Omar Ahmad Hassan Al Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan

Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti

Excellency General Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan

Excellency Hassan Sheik Mahmoud, President of the Federal Government of Somalia

Excellency Uhuru M. Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to Addis Ababa. I would also like to express my appreciation to you all for taking sometime off your busy schedule to attend this summit on such short notice. Thank you indeed.

 

This is yet another summit we are convening to address the conflict in South Sudan and the progress so far has been frustrating if not gloomy indeed. Despite agreements after agreements to end hostilities and to set in motion a transitional process that will lay the groundwork for sustainable political solution to the conflict in south Sudan, these promises have been observed more by breach.

 

Most IGAD summits have served to both sides primarily as rather welcome intervals in which to prepare for a contest over military preeminence, not as genuine forums to seek political solutions to the conflict. Tactical cleverness not strategically reliable calculations have largely informed the decisions of either side all along. There appears to be little appetite for peace while the people of south Sudan continue bearing the full brunt of conflict. Apart from the tens of thousands so far killed, hundreds of thousands are rendered refugees while famine and starvation is staring millions more in the eye. The status quo is unsustainable indeed.

 

 

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

IGAD has been preoccupied with this issue for almost a year now in the hope that regional ownership of the mediation process will ensure maximum efficacy. This is a principled position taken with the firm belief that the early internationalization of the negotiation process would complicate matters. I am afraid it won’t be long before we reach the end of the line in this regard.

 

While in our Summit today we expect to make significant headway into breaking the impasse, it should be clear that it’s time the issue be given the full attention it deserves by the AU and UNSC in order for meaningfully strong actions to be taken. That the patience of the international community is wearing thin is not hopefully lost on both sides. There are already ominous signs that holding those responsible for the plight of the people of South Sudan is being seriously considered. While it is not the wish of our regional bloc that both sides go down that path, there is no telling if, in the absence of meaningful progress, such a course of action can be avoided at all.

 

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

We have our plates full and it is only imperative that we once again reflect the progress so far and take serious measures to break the impasse. Today we will have consultations amongst IGAD leaders to take stock of the sticking points that are standing in the way of progress. We will leave no stone unturned to get the two parties to come to their senses and honor their words. We will do every thing we can to impress up on both sides the futility of trying to fight this conflict out waiting for the dry season and encourage them to genuinely embrace peace. We will use all the influence we can to bring the two sides back to reason.

 

If past experience is any guide, this will not be easy but far from impossible to achieve. It’s my hope and expectation that we will manage to achieve a breakthrough that the parties will intend to seriously honor. In closing, I would like to thank our partners from the international community for their consistent support and express my hope that they will step up their efforts in order to help achieve lasting peace and stability in South Sudan.

 

I thank you

 

 

President Michael D Higgins of Ireland, on a visit to Ethiopia this week, witnessed the signing of three bilateral treaties agreements between Ireland and Ethiopia on Monday (November 3). The agreements were signed following a meeting between President Higgins and Prime Minister Hailemariam. One agreement is on avoidance of double taxation and is expected to encourage the growth of trade and investment between Ireland and Ethiopia. A bilateral transport agreement will clear the way for direct flights by Ethiopian airlines from June 2015 between Dublin and Addis Ababa.

This will provide the first-ever direct scheduled route between Ireland and Africa. The third agreement is a bilateral co-operation agreement providing a framework for a five-year development partnership, estimated to be worth €136m. The focus is on health, nutrition, agriculture and governance. Speaking after the signings, President Higgins said they would act as a catalyst in moving relations and development forward to a whole new set of achievements in different areas, adding that the agreements would now provide a framework for closer contact between Ireland and Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa, 5 November 2014 (WIC) – Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn has called on development partners to support Ethiopia’s effort to bring about industrial development.

Speaking at the Second Participatory and Sustainable Industrial Development Forum in Vienna yesterday, the Premier said that Ethiopia should be assisted in its effort to introduce broad-based industrial development and in attracting direct foreign investment. Hailemariam, who pointed out that the nation is under transformation from agriculture to industry led economy in its endeavor to become a middle income country, said that it needs close support so that it could sustain the achievements it has been registering in this regard.

He expressed his joy over the announcement that Ethiopia is one of the two African countries selected by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in its industrial development activities.

Ethiopia is working extensively with different countries and development partners like China and other Asian countries as well as Turkey, he told the participants of the forum.
Attracting foreign direct investment is the main focus to maintain the growth of the country, according to the premier.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon on his part said ensuring sustainable growth is among the areas of focus of the UN, and he congratulated Ethiopia and Senegal for being selected as models for Africa.

The UN will support the countries in their efforts to ensure their economic growth and change the livelihoods of their peoples, the Secretary-General added.

According to Li Yong, Director-General of UNIDO, the two African countries were selected because of the ways they chose to expand industry and the good policies they pursue as well as the measures they took to ensure sustainable and participatory development.

Yong urged the countries to further integrate their efforts with their partners to meet the Millennium Development Goals and become middle income countries.

The Director-General further asked the countries to give attention to micro and small enterprises in order to sustain the economic growth they have been registering.

In related news, Prime Minister Hailemariam held talks today with EU International Cooperation and Development Commissioner Neven Mimika.

According to ENA, the officials discussed about the development cooperation between Ethiopia and the Union, and peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

On Wednesday 22nd of October 2014, H.E. Ambassador Teshome Toga presented his credential to H.E. Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the President of the Republic of Estonia.

Presenting his credentials, Ambassador Teshome conveyed the greetings and good wishes of Ethiopia’s President Dr Mulatu Teshome, for the well-being of the President of Estonia and for the welfare and prosperity of its people. He also noted that his appointment will strengthen the already existing relations of the two countries. Ambassador Teshome further discussed Ethiopia’s economic growth and its role in promoting peace and security of the region under the auspices of IGAD. The President on his turn appreciates the relations between the two countries and Ethiopia’s role in promoting peace and security in the region. During the discussions, both sides identified ICT, promotion of trade and investment as major areas of the cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Teshome appreciates the ICT development of Estonia and expressed Ethiopia’s interests to share the system as Ethiopia plans to increase the size of mobile users to 60
million in the next five years.

During his stay in Estonia, Ambassador Teshome also met with officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Economic affairs and Communication, as well as representatives from the Estonian Parliament and discussed the present socio-economic and political status of the Ethiopia, and areas of cooperation between the two countries. He also held talks with the Mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar, with whom he exchanged views on city to city twining especially between Axum and Tallinn as both share archeological historical similarity. Both sides mentioned the need of strengthening people to people relations through tourism and tour operators. During a meeting with the Director of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it was agreed to initiate cooperation between the Estonian and Ethiopian private sectors. The need to organize a forum where the investment opportunities of Africa could be explained for Estonian entrepreneurs was reiterated. The Meeting he had with Gourmet Coffee board members of Estonia was successful as they are convinced to visit Ethiopia for a week between end of November or beginning of December, opening the door for direct coffee trading between the two countries.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves with Ambassador Teshome Toga and an Ethiopian diplomat from our Embassy.

 

Ethiopian Ambassador Teshome Toga during the playing of the Estonian Anthem.

Addis Ababa, 27 October 2014 (WIC) – The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim arrived here today for a two day visit to discuss key development priorities with government officials and development partners.

The visit is intended to a new Horn of Africa Initiative to support regional economic development, peace and security. Dr. Kim and Ban will hold joint meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn later today.

The two officials will also hold discussion with bilateral agencies as well as ambassadors representing countries in the Horn of Africa to discuss how the World Bank and the United Nations can promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the region.

Ethiopia is one of the founding members of the World Bank Group. Its current portfolio consists of 25 projects with $6 billion in commitments.

This is the largest country program in the region and among the sectors it covers are energy, roads, agriculture, water supply and sanitation, education, health, social protection and social safety nets.

The private sector arm of the World Bank, the IFC, also provides more than $200 million for investment and advisory services, and plans to invest an additional $300 million.

Addis Ababa, 27 October 2014 (WIC) – The television news report by the  Michael Buerk in 1984 framed Ethiopia for a generation as a place of famine and in need of salvation.Almost 30 years later the country is hailed by pundits as an “African lion” after a decade of stellar economic growth.

Now further evidence of its turnaround has arrived with research showing that Ethiopia is creating millionaires at a faster rate than any other country on the continent.The number of dollar millionaires in the east African nation rose from 1,300 in 2007 to 2,700 by September this year, according to New World Wealth, a consultancy based in the UK and South Africa.

That figure puts the country well ahead of Angola, up by 68%, and Tanzania, which had a 51% increase. Zambia and Ghana completed the top five.
The study finds that the rise in millionaires has been closely tied to GDP growth, in which Ethiopia has also fared best over the past six years achieving 93%, followed by Egypt (81%) and Angola (61%).

The authors note, however, that Ethiopia started from a very low base, and it’s per capital wealth is still just $470 (£287), compared to $3,187 (£1,948) in Egypt and $7,508 (£4,588) in South Africa.
Andrew Amoils, a senior analyst at New World Wealth, said: “The economic and wealth growth in Ethiopia over the last five or six years has been really strong. There has been a lot of privatization and certain sectors are growing well. It’s a huge upswing but it started from a low base.”As in other parts of Africa, however, the growth is not necessarily shared.

“The millionaires are growing at a faster rate than the middle class, which doesn’t really exist in a lot of African countries, including Ethiopia,” Amoils said. “Angola, for example, has had massive millionaire growth in the last 10 years but that hasn’t spilled through to the average Angolan.”
But whereas much of Africa’s boom has been driven by mineral resources, leading sectors for millionaires in Ethiopia include agriculture, manufacturing and transport.

A construction boom is underway in the capital, Addis Ababa, but Amare Abebaw, a social entrepreneur, said the rest of the world does still did not appreciate the country’s extraordinary transformation.

“When I go home and watch TV I still see the famine from the 80s and I wonder how do they still show this on the BBC when things have improved here? It is painful for us. We know it is part of our history but we want to focus on the present.”
South Africa is the top African country for millionaires with 48,700 in 2013, followed by Egypt with 22,800 and Nigeria with 15,700. (africanbusinessforum.com)

Addis Ababa, 24 October 2014 (WIC) – The European Union (EU) on Thursday announced the approval of five million Euros for Ethiopia, to enable the country to effectively deal with the influx of refugees from South Sudan.

Kristalina Georgieva, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, who made the disclosure in Addis Ababa, said that the fund would enable the African nation to respond to the needs of the increasing number of refugees.

Georgieva disclosed that Ethiopia had received 31 million euros this year, for the tackling of refugee crisis.

She said that the aid was channeled to the government of the country through humanitarian partners, including UN agencies and non-governmental organizations.

She said the new financing followed the influx of 190,000 additional South Sudanese refugees into Ethiopia, bringing the total refugees’ number in the country to 643,000.

“The catastrophe happening in South Sudan has a huge impact throughout the region.

“Since the crisis erupted last December, Ethiopia has given refuge to many South Sudanese,’’ she said.

Georgieva added that the funds would help to meet the basic needs of the refugees, which included shelter, food, water and health.

She said that the high influx of refugees was adding to vulnerabilities in Ethiopia, which was prone to drought and flood. (EU)

 

Ethiopian FM Dr Tedros at Investment forum in Norway, in October 2014 (Image: Geeska Afrika)

Addis Ababa, 21 October 2014 (WIC) – Ethiopia has given top priority to the kernel of the entire diplomacy; economic diplomacy, as the nation has one formidable enemy; poverty or backwardness.

To effectively combat and eradicate poverty and backwardness, one has to pursue economic diplomacy which would enable it to attract more investment, trade, tourism among others, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted.

Economic policies adopted by the government in the last two decades have played an instrumental role in developing the country’s economy. Ethiopia has become one of the ten fastest growing countries in the world. Its past tarnished image of poverty, backwardness and war is being gradually reversed, the Ministry said.

In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ambassador Dina Mufti said that the major economic diplomacy framework aims at attracting investment from foreign countries, promoting massive Foreign Direct Investment and ensuring proper technology transfer among others.

“We give emphasis to expanding the frontier of our relations to all corners of the world. In principle, as Ethiopia is part and parcel of the global community, it should have a vibrant tie with every country. If you ask me the distribution of Ethiopian councilors and embassies, I can assure you that they are scattered all over the world but basically we try to have embassies and consulates where things matter most,” the Ambassador said.

Ambassador Dina further said that nowadays the role economic diplomacy plays is immense. Recognizing this fact, economic diplomacy tops priority areas not only on Ethiopia’s diplomacy orbit but also on all nations’ diplomacy hubs. That is why Ethiopian diplomats are currently busy in speeding up the development of trade, the expansion of investment and the strengthening of relationships. They acquaint the country’s potential investment alternatives to the global business community, Ambassador Dina said.

Ethiopia’s trade link among different nations is gathering momentum. But this is not enough given the nation’s untapped and immense investment opportunities in the fields of agriculture, livestock, agro-processing, manufacturing, industry, construction and tourism.

Ambassador Dina said, on annual bases, Ethiopian ambassadors come together at experience sharing and idea cross-fertilization forums. On such occasions they discuss among themselves, congratulate over achievements, exchange recommendations over limitations and cheer out the yearly plan they envisage. They also get orientations on new phenomenon and new areas of focus. They as well conduct series of seminars. The objective is to strengthen their capacity especially where gaps are apparent. In such forums, he noted, ambassadors will be familiar with the new development within the country.

However, “Currently due to financial reasons and logistics we cannot have embassies all over the world but basically we have embassies in some major countries, specifically, countries that we call strategic partners.”

The nation does have diplomatic relations almost with all countries of the world, with over 180 countries. But here it must be noted that Ethiopia does have diplomatic relations where it even does not have embassies.

Approached by this journalist to have his say on the matter instructor of Political Science and International Relations at Addis Ababa University Demeke Achiso (PhD) on his part noted that, “Economic diplomacy tops the political agenda of every government in the 21th century. The same is true with the Ethiopian government. “Our representatives and top officials have committed themselves more to the economic issues.”

Economics and politics are the two sides of the same coin. As it is true of other nations, conducive political environment is basically needed to ensure sustainable economic development in Ethiopia, he said.

After ensuring democracy, peace and security as well as stabilizing regional security governments are now looking for economic diplomacy, because the key question for every society is the question of betterment, employment and income, Demeke said.

As to Demeke, the Ethiopian government is creating conducive environment to investors that come from abroad to invest in Ethiopia so as to improve national GDP and individual’s living standard in every aspect.

Yet now, we are not in a position to argue that the government’s economic diplomacy is 100 per cent successful. “Currently we are witnessing unprecedented success stories in Ethiopian history as compared to the era of the previous regimes,” he said. (EH)