servizio news 25.02

[Servizio News ] [25.02.2016]

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Ambasciata d’Italia ad AddisAbeba

SERVIZIO NEWS 25.02.2016 ETHIOPIA

Ministry set to create 4.7 mln jobs ................................................................... 2

Maersk Oil acquires 50% of Africa Oil’s share in Ethiopia ................................... 3

Ethiopia, Qatar Joint Technical Committee discuss on bolstering ties ................. 4

Ethiopia earns 222 mln USD from industrial products export ............................. 5 UAE, Ethiopia sign agreement to protect, encourage investment......................... 6

Amhara State Transferring Industrial Parks with Infrastructures ........................ 7

Ethio Telecom Reduces Internet Tariff ............................................................. 8

Construction Contractors Association of Ethiopia Amended its Bylaws ............... 9

SOUTH SUDAN

MSF compound looted during fighting in S. Sudan’s Pibor county ..................... 10

DJBOUTI

République de Djibouti / Union Européenne : Dialogue politique à l’IED Le baromètre d’une coopération constructive...................................................... 11

ALTRO

Appuntamenti – Mostra di Gianluca Mancini - aperta fino al 4 marzo 2016. ...... 13

Appuntamenti – Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Addis Abeba .............................. 14

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Ministry set to create 4.7 mln jobs

The Ministry of Farming and Natural Resource plans to create jobs for 4.7 million women and youth living in rural areas over the coming five years.

(25.02.2016 – FBC)

The Ministry announced the plan here today at a job creation workshop

it organized in partnership with international institutions and stakeholders.

More than 1.5 million jobs will be created this budget year alone, it said.

According to the Ministry, it created jobs for 936,000 women and youth last fiscal year.

The jobs were created mainly in the areas of crop, vegetables and fruit developments as well as apiculture sectors.

According to Tefera Deribew, Minister of Farming and Natural Resource, some of the youth are transferring to agro-processing level.

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Maersk Oil acquires 50% of Africa Oil’s share in Ethiopia

Maersk Oil completed the acquisition of 50% of Africa Oil Corporation’s share in two contiguous licenses in southern Ethiopia and three onshore exploration licenses in the Turkana region of northern Kenya.

According to the company, the transaction was recently approved by the Ethiopian and Kenyan governments.

The licenses cover about 100,000 sq km and include nine recent

oil discoveries. Exploration and appraisal activities are ongoing.

Tullow Oil operates four of the blocks, while Africa Oil operates one

(24.02.2016 – FBC)


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Ethiopia, Qatar Joint Technical Committee discuss on bolstering ties

Ethio-Qatar Joint Technical Committee meeting aimed at evaluating the implementation of agreements of the first technical committee meeting and identifying further areas of cooperation kicked off here yesterday.

(24.02.2016 – FBC)

A 16-member Qatari delegation led by the country's Director of International Cooperation, Tariq Al-Ansari is in the Ethiopian capital for the meeting.In his opening remark, Siraj Rashid, Director- General of Middle East Affairs with

Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the bilateral relation between the two countries has shown progress.He said the agreements reached by the technical committee are bearing fruits in terms of attracting Qatari investors to Ethiopia and resumption of direct flights of the carriers of the countries.The agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation has also been implemented, according to Siraj.He further pointed out that there is a growing interest of Qatari investors to engage in agriculture, sugar production, petrochemicals, energy, and mining sector.The delegations of the two countries will discuss a

proposed Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement in the meeting.

Qatar's Director of International Cooperation, Tariq Al-Ansari stated on his part that his country is working for the implementation of the agreements and gives a big consideration for the tie i t has with Ethiopia.According to Al-Ansari, signing the Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement would have a paramount importance to attract more Qatari investment to Ethiopia.The director stated Qatar supports Ethiopia's bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.


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Ethiopia earns 222 mln USD from industrial products export

Ethiopia has earned 222 million USD revenue from the export of industrial products in the last seven months period, the ministry of industry disclosed.

(24.02.2016 – WIC)

Corporate Communication Director with the Ministry, Melaku Taye, told WIC that about 222 million USD revenue is gained from the export of industrial products from its plan to earn 348 mln USD in the last seven months period. Melaku noted that Ethiopia has exported textiles and garment, leather and leather products, milk and meat, food and drinks items, Pharmaceuticals, chemical and construction inputs, metal and engineering and electric and electronic items of products in the last seven months.

The Ministry has exerted efforts to export more value added items of products in this budget year, Melaku noted. The country has

increased the export of finished products through time, he added.

Ethiopia has began to earn revenue from the export of new products of electric and electronic, chemical and metal engineering, Melaku underscored. the export of assembled mobile phones to different African countries has boosted the revenue from the electronic sector, he reiterated. According to Melaku, relatively lower export revenue is obtained as compared to the target. Falling price of oil at international market, shortage in the supply of industrial inputs and problems in integration in local industries are the major obstacles of the sector.

The Ministry has inaugurated industrial input supply enterprises and has started operation this budget year, said Melaku. Efforts are being made to strengthen linkage between local industries.

The Ministry has set a rule that requires local investors to have 25

percent investment capital and obtain the remaining 75 percent investment capital through loan to encourage local investment in the industrial sector, said Melaku. Any foreign investor could engage in industry contributing only 50 percent of the investment capital and can get the rest 50 percent through loan.

Currently, the Ministry has begun mobilization to involve local investors in the untapped potentials of industry sector, Melaku underlined. The Ministry of industry has planned to establish 17 agro-industrial parks across the country to achieve better results in the sector through expansion of base of agro-processing industries in rural part of the country.

Ethiopia has targeted to earn 3.5 Bln USD from the export of industrial products and annual growth of industry sector to be 21.9 percents and create 185, 000 jobs in the sector at the end of GTP II period.

[SERVIZIO NEWS] [25.02.2016]

UAE, Ethiopia sign agreement to protect, encourage investment

Ghazi Abdullah Salem Al Mehri, the UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Ethiopia, has participated in intensive negotiations held over three days in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, between a delegation from the UAE, headed by Dr. Hamid Nasr Abdel Qader, an economist expert at the Ministry of Finance and the Ethiopian side.

(24.02.2016 – WIC)

The negotiations culminated by the signing of a comprehensive agreement, the first of its kind, to protect and encourage investment between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Ethiopia.

The signing of the agreement represents economic development and a growth in the path of improving relations between the two friendly countries, and constitutes the necessary legal framework for the protection of UAE investments in Ethiopia.

It is expected that the agreement will encourage and attract more UAE institutions and companies to engage in extensive and diverse investment in Ethiopia, as it will provide significant incentives and privileges for foreign investment (Emirates News Agency).


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Amhara State Transferring Industrial Parks with Infrastructures

The Amhara Regional State disclosed that it is transferring industrial parks equipped with full infrastructural works to investors.

(24.02.2016 – WIC)

Some investors stated that the establishment of industrial parks has enabled them to start production immediately by building their factories.

Process Owner for Industry Development with the Amhara Trade, Industry and Market Development the Bureau, Zinaw Lingerih said similar parks were built in 13 major towns of the state, including the state capital, over the past five years.

The government expended more than

340 million birr to build the parks which cover over 1,400 hectares of land, he said.

So far, more than 600 investors have benefited from road, water, power, sewerage and drainage facilities installed at the designated plots for investment.

The state government is prioritizing manufacturing-based investment projects which utilize raw materials from local sources, the head said.

Some 50 of those have started provision, the official indicated.

Bayh Mekonnen and Kassa Hailu, among the investors engaged in the manufacturing sacks and paints, respectively, said the allocation of parks with infrastructures have

enabled them to quickly launch their projects.

In an interview with ENA, the investors also mentioned tax free importation of machineries and tax exemption periods as additional incentives which encourage the speedy implementation of proposed projects.

However, according to Zinaw, some investors fail to implement projects in line with the agreed time frame, with others also violating contracts by using the designated areas for other purposes.

Preparations are underway to build four big industrial parks jointly by the federal and state governments (ENA).


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Ethio Telecom Reduces Internet Tariff

Ethiopia’s state owned telecom company, Ethio Telecom, announced it had reduced internet tariffs on 2G, 3G and 4G mobile internet services starting from Tuesday, February 23, 2016.

(24.02.2016 – WIC)

According to the new tariff, 2G and 3G services are provided for 35 cents per megabyte. The two internet services were being sold for 46 cents per megabyte.

4G services are also going to be sold for 35 cents per megabyte. This is a 35 percent

reduction when compared to the price the service was being sold for, 55 cents per megabyte.

Ethio-telecom has also reduced the price of 3G and 4G sim cards.


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Construction Contractors Association of Ethiopia Amended its

Bylaws

Construction Contractors Association of Ethiopia (CCAE) amended its bylaws which had served the association for the last 24 years, The Reporter reported.

(24.02.2016 – WIC)

The Association amended its bylaws during its annual general assembly meeting held at the Sheraton Addis on Thursday in the presence of the Minister of the Construction and members of the association. The meeting focused not only on the amendment of the bylaws but also on the performance report of the association in the past

year and the external auditors report.

Abera Bekele (Eng.), President of the Association, stated that amending the bylaws of the association is timely and the amendment was in line with the current development of the sector in the country.

Ambachew Mekonnen (PhD), Minister of Construction, welcomed the amendment and hoped that it would solve the major problems in the sector. He outlined the two problems that the sector had faced; the first one was mainly associated with the lack of capacity of the contractors. The second was associated with ethics of the contractors. The sector

is highly prone to rent-seeking attitudes

The association was established in 1991 to alleviate obstacles facing contractors and help them play their appropriate role in the development of the construction industry. It organizes capacity building workshops, conferences and discussion forums that are aimed at seeking solutions for problems that members face while they undertake their activities. It enhances the awareness of its members through the dissemination of government proclamations, regulations and directions and other information’s related to the construction industry.


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MSF compound looted during fighting in S. Sudan’s Pibor

county

The medical charity, Medicins San Frontiers (MSF) said its compound was looted during the fighting that broke out Tuesday afternoon in South Sudan’s Pibor county.

(24.02.2016 –La Nation)

The incident, it said, left at least 35 civilians wounded and approximately 1000 people seeking shelter at a United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in Pibor.

“Fighting broke out in Pibor in the early afternoon on the 23rd and has continued throughout the day today. Yesterday [Tuesday] afternoon, the MSF team was forced to seek safety in the MSF compound but

as heavy gunfire approached the facility, the team was forced to move to the UNMISS compound,” MSF said in a statement.

According to the medical agency, their staffs brought medical equipment and supplies and have been supporting the provision of medical treatment to the wounded.

“As of 1:00 p.m. today [Wednesday], MSF was supporting treatment for 35 patients but there is a lack of surgical capacity to provide the level of treatment that is urgently required,” it said.

“Fighting is ongoing in the area and MSF has witnessed a number of homes that have been destroyed in the violence”, it added.

MSF said it was yet to assess the extent of the damage from attacks on its compound.

"There are critical emergency medical needs right now in Pibor, and really limited capacity to respond and save lives," said MSF’s head of mission, Corinne Benazech.

"We need to assess the damage and looting of the MSF health centre, but if we cannot restart activities this could make a bad situation catastrophic, since MSF provides the only healthcare in the area,” she added.

Benazech, however, reiterated calls for all armed actors to respect international humanitarian law, which protects civilians, medical facilities and provides humanitarian assistance.


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République de Djibouti / Union Européenne : Dialogue

politique à l’IED Le baromètre d’une coopération

constructive

Le ministre des Affaires Etrangères et de la Coopération internationale, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, et l’ambassadeur de l’Union Européenne à Djibouti, Joseph Silva, ont coprésidé, samedi dernier dans la salle de conférence de l’Institut d’études diplomatiques (IED), la réunion annuelle sur le dialogue politique entre la République de Djibouti et l’Union Européenne.

(24.02.2016 –La Nation)

Samedi dernier, la salle de réunion de l ’Institut d’études diplomatiques a abrité la traditionnelle réunion annuelle sur le dialogue politique entre la République de Djibouti et l’Union Européenne. Co-présidée par le chef de la diplomatie djiboutienne et l’Ambassadeur de l’UE à Djibouti, la rencontre s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’Accord de Cotonou.

Elle vise à mettre en œuvre une approche globale et intégrée en vue d’un partenariat fondé sur le dialogue politique, la coopération au développement et le renforcement des relations économiques et commerciales.

A titre de rappel, en signant l’accord de Cotonou, il y a 16 ans, les chefs d’Etat et des gouvernements de l’Union Européenne et des pays de l’ACP ont reconnu qu’un environnement politique garantissant la paix, la sécurité, la stabilité, le respect des droits de l’homme, des principes démocratiques de l’Etat de droit et la bonne gestion des affaires publiques font partie intégrante du développement à long terme et que des politiques économiques saines et durables sont une condition préalable du développement.

…Un ordre du jour chargé. Dans son allocution d’ouverture de la réunion, le ministre des

Affaires Etrangères et de la Coopération Internationale, a d’emblée rappelé que la présente session de dialogue politique respectera un ordre du jour convenu d’un accord commun consacré sur trois axes majeurs que sont le domaine politique, le partenariat entre l’Union des pays européens et notre pays, ainsi que des questions de politiques régionales qui constituent les épreuves globales émergentes telles que la migration ou encore la crise yéménite.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf n’a pas manqué de souligner l’importance de ce dialogue politique. Il a expliqué que celui-ci est « un exercice de réflexion, d’échange et de partage de points de vue et d’idées sur le partenariat entre l’Union Européenne et la République de Djibouti’’. Et d’ajouter que ladite réunion ‘’représente le baromètre d’une coopération qui se veut respectueuse,


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constructive et axée sur les défis du présent et les perspectives d’avenir’’.

Au niveau national, le chef de la diplomatie djiboutienne a fait le point de la situation politique nationale notamment, la mise en œuvre de l’accord-cadre sur le dialogue politique signé entre le gouvernement et l’opposition le 30 décembre 2014 et le retour des députés de l’USN dans les rangs de l’Assemblée nationale.

Le ministre a souligné les nombreuses avancées en la matière comme le paiement effectif des indemnités des parlementaires de l’opposition ou l’adoption par l’Assemblée Nationale du Statut de l’opposition très récemment. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf a par ailleurs ajouté que des discussions sont en cours sur les autres points importants de l’accord cadre notamment sur le code de conduite et la loi sur la communication.

Sur le plan régional, le chef de la diplomatie djiboutienne, a dressé un bref tour d’horizon du contexte sécuritaire

et politique en Somalie, au Sud Soudan et au Yémen. Concernant la Somalie, il a ainsi évoqué la mise en place des administrations régionales dans ce pays et les discussions en cours pour organiser les élections présidentielles fin 2016. Il a également rappelé le rôle important joué par les troupes djiboutiennes déployées dans ce pays frère afin de contribuer au renforcement de la paix et la sécurité.

Dans le registre économique, le ministre a décortiqué le tableau des grands agrégats macroéconomiques, la croissance, l’inflation, les investissements directs étrangers et les différents programmes en cours et en programmation avec l’UE.

Prenant la parole à son tour, l’ambassadeur de l’Union Européenne à Djibouti, Joseph Da Silva, s’est dit réjoui, ‘’de la régularité de ce dialogue politique qui répond aux préoccupations de deux parties qui souhaitent s’enquérir de l’Etat d’avancement de la situation de la politique intérieure, de celle qui prévaut au niveau

régional ainsi que le partenariat entre l’Union Européenne et la République de Djibouti’’.

Durant cette réunion, les thèmes abordés portaient sur des volets importants de la coopération entre l’Union Européenne et la République de Djibouti. Des domaines qui touchent essentiellement la politique, l’économie et le social. A l’issue de la réunion annuelle, les deux parties n’ont pas manqué de se féliciter de la qualité des discussions autour des points à l’ordre du jour.

Rappelons enfin que la réunion annuelle a vu la participation d’un bon nombre d’officiels dont, les secrétaires généraux des ministères des affaires étrangères, de l’Intérieur, des Finances. Mais aussi des ambassadeurs d’Allemagne, de France, de la Grande Bretagne, de l’Espagne, de l’Irelande, des Pays Bas, de la Finlande, de l’Italie, de la Belgique, du Luxembourg, du Danemark, etc.


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Appuntamenti – Mostra di Gianluca Mancini - aperta fino al 4 marzo

2016.


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Appuntamenti – Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Addis Abeba

servizio news 25.02

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