SERVIZIO NEWS

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1 Ambasciata d Italia ad AddisAbeba SERVIZIO NEWS Per seguire tutte le nostre attività in tempo reale seguiteci su: FACEBOOK: Ethiopia/ ?fref=ts TW ITTER : Per maggiori informazioni sui mercati cliccare su: 1

2 Contents ETHIOPIA Dashen brewery inaugurates new plant in ethiopia... 3 Afdb Promises To Further Finance Ethiopia s Infrastructure Development... 4 Ethiopia To Host First International Agro-Industry Investment Forum... 5 Belgian Trade M ission Turns Eyes To Ethiopia... 6 Ethiopia: Bill & M elinda Gates Foundation Confirms Long Term Commitment And Partnership For Development With Ethiopia... 7 Conjoining Related Sectors Key For Better Outcomes Ministry... 8 Understanding Risk Forum Opens In Addis Ababa... 9 SOUTH SUDAN South Sudanese President Urges W arm Reception For Splm/Io Advance Team DJIBOUTI Secaf Makes First Visit To Djibouti AFRICA Africa: Dinamiche E Prospettive Del Continente In Un Convegno A Roma

3 ETHIOPIA DASHEN BREWERY INAUGURATES NEW PLANT IN ETHIOPIA Dashen Brewery Share Company s second plant built in Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia was inaugurated on November 15, 2015, Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported. ( Merkato) The plant was constructed at a total cost of three billion Birr in Debre Berhan town. Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn has inaugurated the modern brewing plant. The new plant triples the current production capacity of the brewery. The construction of the new plant has begun four years ago and has created jobs for 600 people. Chief Administrator of Amhara Regional State, Gedu Andargachew and other high government officials has attended the inauguration ceremony. 3

4 AFDB PROMISES TO FURTHER FINANCE ETHIOPIA S INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT African Development Bank (AfDB) said it would further extend its support to Ethiopia s infrastructure sector and basic services, according to Ethiopian News Agency. ( M Erkato) Ethiopia has been one of the largest beneficiaries of the Bank in areas of infrastructure development and basic services, Josephine Ngure, AfDB Country Manager, told journalists. Our partnership with Ethiopia is very strong, very collaborative, Ngure stated. The Bank has financed 118 projects in Ethiopia worth USD four billion in the past 40 years particularly on the expansion of infrastructure to improve access to market and service. Fisseha Abera, International Financial Institutions Cooperation Director at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation, exhorted AfDB to extend further support to Ethiopia s priorities and projects. He has mentioned the Bank s effort in developing the infrastructure sector of Ethiopia. He also noted the Bank s continued support in finance in areas of health, education, water supply, roads and other basic services has resulted in the expansion of basic necessities to the community at large. 4

5 ETHIOPIA TO HOST FIRST INTERNATIONAL AGRO-INDUSTRY INVESTMENT FORUM Ahmed Shide at the joint Ethiopia is going to host briefing the organizers gave He also mentioned of the the First International yesterday November 18, sector s potential Agro-Industry Investment 2015, said Ethiopia s advantages in low labor Forum in May 2016, economy inclines itself to cost, growing domestic Ethiopian News Agency technology-driven and highvalue market and proximity to the reported. activities like European market. ( M Erkato) agriculture biotechnology, agro-processing, biofarming, Close to 600 high-level The Forum is organized by dairy farming, seed production and technology officials, representatives of international organizations, the Ethiopian government based farming. banks, investors, multinational and the United Nations companies and Industrial Development According to Fitsum Arega, industrial associations are Organization (UNIDO) and it Director General of expected to participate in will be held from May 2-4, Ethiopian Investment the Forum. 2016, it was indicated. Commission, agroprocessing MINISTRY PERS EVERES TO sector brings in STAVE OFF DROUGHT State Minister of Finance domestic and foreign EFFECT ON EDUCATION and Economic Cooperation investors to the country. 5

6 BELGIAN TRADE MISSION TURNS EYES TO ETHIOPIA The Belgian trade mission aimed at boosting bilateral trade relations between Ethiopia and Belgium is going to arrive in Ethiopia the day after tomorrow. ( W IC) According to the press release sent to WIC from the Belgian embassy in Addis Ababa, the mission composed of 70 participants drawn from 48 different business enterprises will stay in Ethiopia from November 18 to 22, The Belgian multi-sectoral trade mission comprises firms engaged in urban planning and management, banking and investment, infrastructure development, consumer goods, agriculture and industry. The Belgians started to turn their eyes to Ethiopia following the robust growth the country has been registering in the past decade, the press release noted. The choice for Ethiopia is no coincidence. The country draws attention by its impressive and broad based development over the last ten years, growing at an average rate of 10.6 percent. The long term outlook for the next decade is also very encouraging. Ethiopia will be among the fastest growing economies in sub- Saharan Africa, reads the press release sent to WIC. The trade delegation is expected to meet officials of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association, and World Bank Ethiopia Office among others, in order to hear more about the opportunities in agriculture, infrastructure development and finance. Besides Ethiopia, the mission is also to visit Kenya and Rwanda. 6

7 ETHIOPIA: BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION CONFIRMS LONG TERM COMMITMENT AND PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT WITH ETHIOPIA More than 60 development experts from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation s headquarters in Seattle will be in Addis Ababa this week for a two day development conference focused on Ethiopia. The conference provides a unique opportunity for the foundation experts to engage with government, other donors and their implementing partners for greater alignment of their health and agriculture investments in Ethiopia. The foundation has also just officially opened its new expanded office in the capital city. ( AllAfrica) Ethiopia remains a priority focus for the Gates foundation and will continue to be so largely because of the success it has had in attaining many of the development goals we also embrace, said Dr Ayo Ajayi, Africa Director for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Ethiopia has seen one of the largest declines in extreme poverty in the world between 1995 and 2011, poverty fell from 63% to 37%. This progress has been due to substantial public investment by the Ethiopian government, unparalleled political commitment underpinned by strong policies and smart budget allocation in partnership with a network of donors like ourselves. The foundation has been supporting health and agriculture projects in Ethiopia since In line with the Government of Ethiopia, the foundation s overarching goal is to improve agricultural productivity; increase the coverage of life-saving health and nutrition interventions; and support the improvement of agriculture and primary health care systems. The foundation recently doubled its nutrition investment to $776 million over the next 6 years and has earmarked Ethiopia and its Seqota declaration as a priority. 7

8 CONJOINING RELATED SECTORS KEY FOR BETTER OUTCOMES MINISTRY The ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Natural Gas has announced that restructuring of the former Ministry of Mines in order to bring in petroleum and natural gas administration under one management structure is necessary to register better outcomes. ( W IC) Ministry s Public Relation and Communication Director, Bacha Faji, told Walta that the restructuring of the ministry shall create a room to streamline related professionals, get focused and register better results during the implementation phase of the second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II). The Director noted that the Ministry will enhance development of the country s wealth underneath the earth s surface including gold, opal, petroleum and natural gas in GTP II period. The restructuring brought together the Ethiopian Geological Survey and the Ethiopian Energy Authority under one umbrella unlike the past where the former was under the former Ministry of Mines while the later was under the former ministry of water, irrigation and energy. Bacha told Walta that such developments create an opportunity to exploit the synergy that comes out of getting together professionals who have related training but used to work in separate entities. Bacha also noted that efforts are underway to put in place the human and material resource the new ministry needs in order to effectively discharge its responsibility. According to the director the Ministry has already crafted its annual plan and discussed it with its employees and relevant stakeholders so that it is enriched. 8

9 UNDERSTANDING RISK FORUM OPENS IN ADDIS ABABA Addis Ababa - Delegates from over 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa along with development partners, academics and civil society are meeting at the launch of the Understanding Risk and Finance Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ( United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Africa (UNISDR AF) The Conference is expected to come up with major action points on disaster risk financing to build resilience to disasters in Africa by the time it closes on Friday, November 20. Overall, annual global economic losses are estimated by UNISDR to be in the region of $300 billion. According to the Belgiumbased, Centre for Research into the Epidemiology of Disasters, only 16.7% of official records in Africa over the last 20 years include information about economic losses making it difficult to calculate overall losses in the region. The conference is hosted by the African Union Commission and supported by the World Bank, as part of the Programme Building Disaster Resilience to Natural Hazards in Sub- Saharan African Regions, Countries and Communities, cooperation between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States. The head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Margareta Wahlström, in her opening statement, spoke of the importance of multi-hazard approaches in a changing climate in the context of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction which was adopted earlier this year as a global blueprint for reducing disaster risk and achieving a substantial reduction in disaster losses. The Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture in the African Union Commission, Ms. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, highlighted the level of investments in Africa on disaster risk reduction including risk insurance, risk financing and other measures. At a subsequent High Level Dialogue on Building Financial Resilience in Africa, Prof. Stephen Dercon from Oxford University laid out a model for early action based on collective action by financial institutions, development actors and governments. Mr. Chris Lane from the International Monetary Fund and M. Mohamed Beavogui from African Risk Capacity highlighted the significance of risk insurance for low income 9

10 economies. Chris Lane also informed of a USD 700 million precautionary programme being implemented in Kenya that can be used to respond to shocks of a certain magnitude. Sharon Rusu, Head of UNISDR Regional Office for Africa, outlined the importance of risk-informed development and planning, and engaging local actors and using indigenous knowledge. Africa has 32 national platforms for disaster risk reduction and 15 countries have functional national disaster loss databases. 10

11 SOUTH SUDAN SOUTH SUDANESE PRESIDENT URGES WARM RECEPTION FOR SPLM/IO ADVANCE TEAM The South Sudanese president Salva Kiir has directed that advance team of the country s armed opposition faction (SPLM/IO) be accorded warm reception on the interest of peace and stability when they come to the capital, Juba. ( Sudan Tribune) "I appeal to all of you to welcome your brothers, your sisters, your sons and your daughters as they come back home," Kiir told Parliamentarians on Wednesday. He called for the opening of a new political page thats ignores the past for a better future. We welcome them with open hearts, reconcile, forgive each other, forget the past, open new pages, create trust, build confidence among yourselves and live in peace and harmony, said the South Sudanese leader. President Kiir said there were more things which unite people than those which divide them. To end this, I would like you, my people, to note that we have more things that unite us than those that divide us. Let us unite our ranks for the overall interest of our people and that of the nation, he said. The South Sudanese leader said his government was preparing to receive the advance of the opposition and members of the former detainees despite reports of attacks said to have taken place in the states of Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity over the last three days. The three regions which been plunged in deadly attacks between government soldiers and fighters from the armed opposition forces since when violence broke out in mid-december We must more bloodshed and destruction in our country, he said, adding that citizens were moally obligated to do the right things instead of opting to continue to do immoral activities and killings instead of embracing what contributes to growth and prosperity. "I believe we are all morally and lawfully obligated to do the right things to our people instead of causing them harm and suffering with this agreement, we must redouble our efforts to put the country back to normalcy as soon as possible and deliver services to the people. This is what our people want from us and we must be ready and committed fully to meet their expectations, the president further told members of the assembly. 11

12 Last week, the first vicepresident designate Riek Machar vowed not to take part in the coming summit of regional leaders, citing lack of a suitable atmosphere, Juba s refusal to receive his advance team and President Kiir s decision on creation of 28 new states. TACKLES ECONOM Y Meanwhile President Kiir has instructed the minister of finance and Central Bank governor to realign the foreign exchange rates between the official and parallel ones. Peace is coming at the time when our country was hit hard and shocked by the economic crisis, said Kiir, a week after his office announced postponement of the speech. State which is producing approximately 165,000 barrels per day and yet we continue to pay the Republic of Sudan what is known the Sudan Transitional Financial Assistance (TFA) in accordance with the provision of the cooperation agreement 2012, added the South Sudanese leader. To address these challenges, Kiir said, there is need to invest in road construction and agriculture. I have instructed the minister of finance together with the governor of the Bank of South Sudan to study and recommend how best we can realign the exchange regime to cope with the current physical and monetary challenges the country is undergoing, he said. at 2.96 SSP to commercial banks which in turn sell to the public at 3.16 SSP per dollar. However, the exchange rate in the black markets is 18 SSP per dollar. President Kiir said these issues should be addressed. This realignment is necessary and I have been always wondering when I see so many umbrellas in the market here on the streets. The umbrellas have turned to become the forexes of exchange and they have become the black market forexes. I wonder when I see somebody with no good cloth and possessing a lot of dollars. Where do they get these dollars from?, he said, drawing laughers from lawmakers and those in attendance. Today our only oil production is in Upper Nile Currently, South Sudan government sells one dollar 12

13 DJIBOUTI SECAF MAKES FIRST VISIT TO DJIBOUTI Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James met with Airmen and senior leaders stationed at Camp Lemonnier and the U.S. Embassy, as w ell as senior members from the Djiboutian military, during her first visit to the country Nov. 12. ( US AIR FORCE) During her trip to the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, James learned the role the Djiboutian military plays in defense of the country and what the government of Djibouti and the embassy are doing for refugees coming from Somalia and Yemen. We have seen more than 400 American citizens come to Djibouti as refugees from Yemen, said Ambassador Tom Kelly, U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti. The Djiboutians have, without a doubt, helped us save American lives. After leaving the embassy, James met with Airmen from Camp Lemonnier and Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa at Chebelley Airfield. Camp Lemonnier is U.S. Africa Command s primary base of operations in Africa, and CJTF-HOA is responsible for a 10- country, 2.4-million-squaremile combined joint operating area in East Africa. Its members engage with partner-nation militaries to help defeat violent extremist organizations and increase security and stability throughout the region. You re doing such important work here and all over this region, James said. This is the hub of anti-terrorism operations in Africa and many other areas of responsibility. James also went on to address her top priorities as the Secretary of the Air Force. There are many people issues that the (Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III) and I work on, but none more important than stopping the downsizing we have been going through in the Air Force, James said. In my judgment, we are as low as we can possibly go, so our number one priority going forward is to make sure that we don t end up downsizing anymore. After addressing several other personnel related issues, James then turned to the second of her top three priorities -- balancing readiness and modernization. Readiness today means training, making upgrades to our ranges and infrastructure. It s also 13

14 about funding current missions, James said. That s the story of today, but it s also about looking to tomorrow and what key technologies we need to invest in and what new aircraft we need for our aging fleet. James concluded her speech hitting on the final of her top priorities -- making every dollar count. Make every dollar count. I always put that in my top three because we are all tax payers, James said. We all need to be as efficient as we can be going forward and ensure we make every dollar count. As her visit came to a close, James took time to speak to Airmen individually and learn what they do and how they support the East African fight against terrorism. We were able to communicate exactly what our mission is here and how we are contributing, said Master Sgt. Charles Warrington, the 449th Air Expeditionary Group first sergeant. She got to see the challenges we face, but also the many benefits we provide to the region. 14

15 AFRICA AFRICA: DINAMICHE E PROSPETTIVE DEL CONTINENTE IN UN CONVEGNO A ROMA AFRICA Avrà luogo mercoledì 25 novembre, nella suggestiva cornice di Palazzo De Carolis a Roma, il convegno Dinamiche e prospettive dell Africa sub-sahariana, dedicato a illustrare il contesto che caratterizza attualmente il continente. ( Africa e Affari) Organizzato dal Circolo di Studi Diplomatici di Roma, l evento vede la partecipazione di ospiti di primo piano e sarà introdotto da un intervento del professor Romano Prodi, già primo ministro italiano e in seguito inviato speciale del Segretario Generale delle Nazioni Unite per il Sahel. centrale Africa subsahariana del ministero degli Esteri, e di Giampaolo Cantini, Direttore generale della Cooperazione italiana. Il secondo tavolo è invece intitolato Africa: continente di crisi e di opportunità e vede la partecipazione tra i relatori anche di Massimo Zaurrini, direttore della rivista specializzata Africa e Affari. L evento si svolge in due tavoli; il primo, dedicato alla strategia europea per l Africa e al ruolo dell Italia, sarà animato dalla partecipazione tra gli altri di Raffaele De Lutio, Direttore 15