Day: March 24, 2023

Ethiopia and Djibouti reached an agreement on the completion of a road that links the two countries and provide solutions to improve customs efficiency.

The 35 kilometer road between Galamo and Moloud will enable the smooth circulation of vehicles and cargo by enhancing transportation between the two countries.

The agreement ensures that the Galamo-Moloud road will be completed within a year, with the appropriate payments being provided to the Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation (ECWC).

The agreement was reached during the visit conducted by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Simie to Djibouti.

During the visit the minister met with President of Djibouti, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and head of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority Omar Hadi to speed up the completion of the project.

Similarly, a delegation from the Ethiopian Customs Commission led by Commissioner Debele Kabeta also paid a four-day working visit to Djibouti.

The customs authorities of Ethiopia and Djibouti raised a wide range of concerns on customs related matters, agreed to collaborate to improve customs efficiency, marking a significant step in enhancing service delivery efficiency to meet international standards.

Harmonized System Codification, Customs Values, TIN Number Guarantee, Ethiopian Bill of Loading, Facilitation of Train Procedures, Export Procedures, and Regional COMESA Transport Guarantee Bonds (RCTG) were some of the issues discussed by the customs authorities of the two countries.

After three days of discussions, an agreed minute was signed to provide solutions to improve customs efficiency, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In their respective engagements, both the Minister of Transport and Logistics and Commissioner of Ethiopian Customs Commission reaffirmed the continued commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to enhance trade, transport and logistical ties between the two countries.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Press Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, Billene Seyoum called on the the international community based in Addis Ababa to have an active part through various institutional interventions towards cultivating “Generation Medemer.”

The English version of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s newest book ‘Generation Medemer’ was introduced to the international community residing in Addis Ababa in an event jointly hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last night in Addis Ababa.

The event has also brought together members of the business community and high level government officials in addition to the diplomatic communities in Addis Ababa.

Recall ”Generation Medemer”, which is the third series of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s book, was launched last Saturday.

Speaking at the event, the press secretary said that through cultivating the culture of reading, the Medemer books series have also prioritized development projects.

The press secretary pointed out that the prime minister has encouraged the proceeds of the sales for constructions of various legacy and generation projects such as the stadiums, libraries and parks as well as the renovation of natural and historic tourist attractions in various parts of the country.

Therefore, Billene called on the diplomatic and international organizations based in Addis Ababa to support the development of the projects for the coming generation.

“To realize the prosperous development of Ethiopia, we ask you our invited guests to take an active part through your various institutional interventions towards cultivating ‘Generation Medemer’. This Generation will take the nation and the continent to greater heights.”

She further stated that: “We ask you to order the book in bulk. By doing so you are placing your print in supporting the development projects for the coming generation and you are also enabling augmenting a reading culture.”

Foreign Affairs State Minister Mesganu Arga said on his part that the book is aimed at forging intergenerational linkages by debunking the erroneous perceptions and narratives.

Nothing that the Medemer concept can be loosely translated as “synergy”, Mesganu noted that it focuses on Ethiopia’s tapestry of rich heritage while working in unison for its prosperous future.

“Medemer is a new framework of political thought that provides a perspective about our past and insights into our future. The framework aims to heal our wounds, cure our ailments and resolve our problems,” the state minister underlined.

He also said that the book would promote national consensus, peace and development through ensuring good governance. Above all, the book is instrumental in entrenching the importance of national dialogue and transitional justice to Ethiopia, Mesganu revealed.

Dr. Mehret Debebe, President of the African Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX) presented a book review and said the book aspires to create a new generation that loves Ethiopia, Africa and the global community.

“The book aspires to create a new generation called ‘Generation Medemer’ that loves the nation and the continent and the global community as well,” he stated.

Mehret, who is also a well-known practicing psychiatrist and an author of two books underscored that Prime Minister Abiy in his “Generation Medemer” book shows the importance of alignment energies to build a strong nation.

Prime Minister Abiy had published two books titled “Medemer” and the “Medemer Journey.”

This latest series, “Generation Medemer”, third series of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s book, is published in the Amharic, Afan Oromo, and English languages.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The government will continue to arrest persons engaged in corrupt practices, Federal Police Deputy Commissioner, Zelalem Mengistie said today.

According to him, police have been arresting high profile individuals on suspicion of corruption in the bid to fight corruption over the last four years.

Speaking at a consultative meeting organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in coordination with the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the deputy police commissioner vowed to continue arresting corrupt persons at all levels and sectors.

However, he noted that fighting corruption requires stakeholders to work together across various sectors, including the private sector.

All stakeholders should work together to enable our people to get the services they deserve, he stressed.

Head of Resident Coordinator Office for Ethiopia, Hanna Elisabeth Schmitt said on the occasion that the abuse of power for private financial or non-financial gain is one of the leading barriers to inclusive development.

And in Ethiopia, the rise of corruption and the lack of good governance is inextricably linked to the inefficiency in delivering basic social services and the country’s challenges to advancing sustainable development, she added.

For businesses, corruption represents a lack of confidence and trust among investors, customers, employees, and the general public.

Businesses are one of the stakeholders on the front line of feeling the vulnerabilities through the covert and overt costs of corruption, whether it is through illegal taxation, custom bribery or the sanctions and consequences that come from engaging in corrupt practices, the head elaborated.

According to Schmitt, investing 40 billion USD per year until 2030 is a must in a bid to end world hunger.

However, trillions of USD is lost per year to corruption, she said, adding corruption is diverting finance away from vital sectors.

The head revealed that the world is losing over 2.6 trillion USD annually due to corruption.

“We have a blueprint to address our common challenges, from tackling poverty and hunger to advancing gender equality and confronting accelerating climate change,” she stated.

However, these efforts are being undermined by corruption.

In many ways, global efforts to confront corruption have ground to a standstill, Schmitt pointed out, estimating that some 131 countries have made no significant progress against corruption over the last decade.

Hence, people cannot access lifesaving health care or children cannot get a quality education, due to corruption.

Furthermore, the head said that corruption not only follows conflict but is also frequently one of its root causes.

“It fuels conflict and inhibits peace processes by undermining the rule of law, worsening poverty, facilitating the illicit use of resources, and providing financing for armed conflict.”

The half-day consultative meeting was attended by private and public sector representatives to promote integrity within the private sector, in particular by encouraging dialogue between academia, civil society, the private sector and the public sector to develop joint solution and fight corruption in a sustainable manner.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency