June 17, 2023

Kano govt resumes postgraduate scholarship

Kano State Government has resumed application for postgraduate scholarship for the state indegenes with first class honour degrees.

This is contained in a statement by Sunusi Bature, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, on Friday in Kano.

The statement said applications are invited from qualified candidates for the postgraduate foreign and local scholarships for 2023/2024 academic session.

“Any eligible candidate to enjoy the scholarship must be an indigene of Kano State with first class degree honours or its equivalent from a reputable university/institution, be medically fit to travel and study.

“The last scholarship was offered in 2015 by Sen. Rabiu Musa-Kwankwaso’s Administration which sponsored the third batch of 503 first class graduates to 14 different countries.

‘’After eight years without postgraduate foreign scholarship by the last administration, Gov. Abba Kabir -Yusuf has approved the resumption of the postgraduate foreign and local scholarship with effect from the 2023/2024 academic session,” it said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

June 17, 2023

Germany, Ethiopia Partnership Growing Steadily: Ambassador Stephan Auer

The partnership between Germany and Ethiopia has been growing steadily since the beginning of the relationship of the two countries, Ambassador Stephan Auer told ENA.

The German Ambassador to Ethiopia said efforts have been exerted to further strengthen the partnership in political, social and economic sectors.

He pointed out that Germany’s development cooperation in capacity building, agricultural productivity, social development and good governance has been growing.

According to the ambassador, Germany has for example provided capacity building, especially through the International Development Cooperation Agency, capacity building for thousands of citizens who play crucial role in the development of industry.

On the other hand, he stated that professional support has been provided for the Human Rights Commission and the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, and to also boost agricultural productivity, are being provided.

Moreover, humanitarian aid and rehabilitation activities are undertaken to support vulnerable citizens through people-centered projects, Ambassador Auer stated.

For example, through programs “like Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP), we have donated 16 million Euros. We also doubled our humanitarian assistance to 82.5 million USD. So, we are the second biggest humanitarian donor. We are also contributing to the Response Resilience Recovery Program of the World Bank by contributing additional 30 million USD. Also, when we come to the transitional development programs, we are also trying to address drought and inflation crises by supporting the WFP and UNICEF with 30-35 million USD, respectively,” he elaborated.

Ambassador Auer furthermore noted that there are favorable conditions for strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Germany and Ethiopia, and the two sides are working to make this a reality.

Germany has the desire for the continuity of the peace agreement in Ethiopia, particularly in the northern part of the country. For this to succeed, Germany has been providing the necessary support, he said.

The ambassador, who pointed out that the Ethiopian government’s effort to ensure transitional justice is encouraging, stated that Germany will provided support to make the process successful.

Ethiopia and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1905.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

June 17, 2023

Ambassadors of MIKTA Countries Underscore Importance of Technology For Peace, Resolution of Conflicts

Ambassadors of MIKTA countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkiye and Australia) stressed the need to use technology for peace and the resolution of conflicts.

Embassy of Indonesia in Addis Ababa in collaboration with embassies of MIKTA countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkiye and Australia) organized seminar yesterday under the theme “Digital Transformation: Towards Collective Response to the Global Challenges.”

The seminar was attended by participants from Ethiopian government officials, ambassadors, international organizations, academicians, among others, it was indicated.

Indonesia’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Al Busyra Bansur said digitalization creates great opportunities but at the same time also comes with challenges such as digital skill gap, misinformation and disinformation.

He appreciated the Ethiopian government for the attention it has given to digital transformation and stated that is why this seminar was held on digital transformation.

Mexico’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Victor Trevino said the world faces the development of tools such as artificial intelligence even though it has potential to improve our everyday lives.

The international community faces the challenges of policy making to ensure that digital transformation contributes to peace and development, he added.

“In the sense MIKTA must continue restoring that diplomacy and supporting the engagement into the use of technology for peace and the resolution of conflicts. Our actions should keep contributing to strengthen our rule-based international system,” the ambassador elaborated.

Ambassador of Australia to Ethiopia Julia Niblett said promoting digital inclusive society is a priority for Australia.

The Australian government is currently developing its final data and digital strategy, and this is expected to be released by the end of 2023.

Through this data and digital strategy, the Australian government seeks to deliver simple, secure and connected public services for people and for businesses through world class data and digital capabilities, she said.

To this, she stressed it is important to use technology for the benefit of the international community and development.

Ambassador of Turkiye to Ethiopia, Berk Baran said on his part that digital transformation has been crucial for the economy and development.

“We as MIKTA are making an effort to promote peace and prosperity,” he stated.

Noting all MIKTA ambassadors are residing in Addis Ababa, the political center of Africa, he said that Ethiopia is the best fit place to promote the MITKA principles.

Ambassador of South Korea to Ethiopia, Kang Seokhee said digital transformation is vital for the globe.

Digital transformation may be an opportunity as well as challenges for the international community today, he said, adding it is important to use technology for finding solutions for the current social and economic problem.

MIKTA was formed under Korean leadership in 2013 and is an acronym for the names of five member countries-Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey, and Australia.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

June 17, 2023

Ethiopian Diaspora Need to Help Nation Become Beacon of Prosperity in Africa

Ethiopians all over the world need to stand with their nation to help it achieve the goals and objectives of becoming a beacon of prosperity in Africa, Director General of Ethiopian Diaspora Service, Mohammed Endris said.

Director General of Ethiopian Diaspora Service, Mohammed along with Embassy staff discussed with Ethiopians and Ethiopians descent representatives in Kenya on current affairs of the country, on 16 June 2023 at the embassy’s premises, according to Ethiopian Embassy in Kenya.

Ethiopian Deputy Head of Mission in Nairobi, Ambassador Workalemahu Desta, stated that diaspora and citizens are the epicenter of the new foreign policy orientation of Ethiopian diplomacy.

During the meeting, the efforts of the government in ensuring sustainable peace in the country, the progress and implementation of national projects, improvements of services and current affairs of the country were the topic of discussion.

Director General of Ethiopian Diaspora Service, Mohamed on his part commended the diaspora for extending their all-rounded supports to flagship projects as well as on pivotal issues of the country.

In addition, he praised the diaspora for their expedited responses in supporting their country during internal and external challenges facing the country over the last few years.

He stressed that Ethiopians all over the world need to stand along with their nation to help it achieve the goals and objectives of becoming a beacon of prosperity in Africa.

Finally, he called on the diaspora to further enhance their unreserved support to national development projects and to be part of the solution for challenges facing the country.

Participants also assured their continued support to their country and to work hand in hand with the embassy.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

June 17, 2023

AU Chairperson Condemns “Brutal, Cowardly Terrorist Attack” on Ugandan Students

African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has condemned the brutal and cowardly terrorist attack by suspected ADF terrorists, killing 42 Ugandan students.

He twitted today that there are no words for the shock nor condemnation strong enough to express my horror at the brutal and cowardly terrorist attack by suspected terrorists, which targeted a school in western part of the country.

“My sincere condolences go to the loved ones of the victims, and in full solidarity with President Kaguta Museveni, the government, and the people of Uganda during this painful period of national loss.”

According to the latest reports from Uganda, more than 40 people, mostly pupils, have been killed at a school in western Uganda by rebels linked to the Islamic State group (IS).

A further eight people remain in a critical condition after the attack on Lhubiriha secondary school in Mpondwe.

Several others, mostly girls, have also been abducted.

The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which are based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have been blamed for the horrendous attack.

Survivors told local media that the attackers used machete against the students before throwing a bomb into a dormitory.

The Ugandan forces are pursuing the enemy to rescue those abducted and destroy the group, it was learned.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

June 17, 2023

Conducive Situations Created For Businesspersons Investing in Industrial Parks: Corporation

Favorable conditions have been created for investors in all the eleven industrial parks in Ethiopia, according to the Industrial Development Parks Corporation (IDPC).

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Corporation Marketing and Communication Department Head Zemen Jonedi, said efforts have been exerted to create conducive situation in the global standard industrial parks.

More investors in various sectors have shown interest in engaging in the parks, following the Pretoria peace agreement, he added.

Accordingly, some 20 investors with over 407.42 million USD have signed agreements to engage in the industrial parks in the past 9 months.

Zemen further said electric power supply, infrastructure, and one-window service for all kinds of services is made available in the parks.

“The Industrial Development Parks Corporation is providing one-window service for both foreign and local investors who invest in the parks. The industrial parks have essential and adequate electric power and have market access as well,” he stated.

According to the head, there are various monetary and non-monetary incentives for both foreign and local investors that operate in the industrial parks and the Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone.

For instance, Zemen said that an investor who works in industrial parks is allowed an income tax relief of up to 10 years on average, and companies developing industrial parks are given income tax relief of up to 15 years.

Investors in industrial parks are also exempt from tax on export products and other taxes, and they have the right to import products to be used as raw materials duty free.

Being a member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), Ethiopia has signed various international investment protection and guarantee agreements, he pointed out.

Foreign investors can remit their income from profit and other incomes in foreign currency. Investors who export their products are not subject to any export price control on the export product, he added.

Zemen further pointed out that “industrial in industrial parks are working in areas of textile, apparel, agro-processing, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals. Following the peace agreement, the investment interest and flow is increasing and the corporation is providing essential services to the investors.’’

Source: Ethiopian News Agency