Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Sudan heightened and injected a new impetus into Ethio-Sudan longstanding partnership, Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew said.
Prime Minister Abiy has returned to Addis Ababa after concluding a day-long visit in Sudan on Tuesday.
During his stay in Khartoum, Abiy has held discussions with Sudan Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and Chief of the Transitional Military Council Abdel Fettah Al-Burhan.
Sudanese Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok said Sudan respects Ethiopia’s right to develop using the water resources of Abay River and any disagreement related to the dam, which is being built on the river, should be resolved through negotiations.
Gedu said Abiy’s visit to Sudan is dedicated to further boost relations and upholding cooperation with the neighboring country.
As the two countries are undertaking reforms, their strong ties would enable them to further cement bilateral and regional cooperation, he stated.
In this regards, Prime Minister Abiy and his Sudanese counterpart Abdalla Hamdok agreed on further deepening ties between the countries, he added. (ENA)
Norway reaffirms commitment to support Ethiopia’s CRGE
Norway has reaffirmed its commitment to support Ethiopia’s climate-resilient green economy being implemented under its Green Legacy Initiative, according to Norway’s Permanent mission representative to the African Union, Vigdis Aasland Cristofol.
The representative made the remark on Friday while he visited the Gullele Botanical Garden in Addis Ababa and planted tree seedlings in support of the Green Legacy Initiative.
Commending Ethiopia’s effort to protect natural resources by expanding forestation She expressed her government’s keenness to further continue support to the country.
“Norway will do its utmost effort to support Ethiopia’s economic development, especially in the field of natural resources conservation.”
Program officer at the Embassy of Norway in Addis Ababa, Solomon Zeru (PhD) on his part said the tree planting event is aimed at showing solidarity to Ethiopia’s on-going natural resource conservation.
According to Solomon, Ethiopia and Norway had signed a 100 million USD cooperation agreement in 2013 to support Ethiopia’s climate-resilient green economy which is now being implemented in five regions. (ENA)
Ministry discusses tourism masterplan with stakeholders
Ministry of Culture and Tourism has deliberated this week on the country’s ten-year tourism master plan with stakeholders.
Culture and Tourism State Minister Buzena Al Kedir told the discussants that the country which has earned about USD three billion in the past ten years, will focus on five core strategies to get USD 23 billion in the coming decade.
The masterplan indicates that about 59 new tourism destinations will also be developed.
Creating strong integration among stakeholders, reviewing the tourism policy, developing tourism infrastructure, improving domestic tourism as well as investment are the major pillars of the ten years plan.
The state minister said creating integration among stakeholders in the sector is one of the key strategies that will help build strong tourism with the ability to absorb huge profit.
“We have identified lack of integration as the major challenge. So we are here to establish a strong integration with our stakeholders as our major method to revive tourism in this masterplan,” she added. (ENA)
Ethiopian unveils bio-safe passenger terminal
Ethiopian Airlines announced that it has completed a new passenger terminal at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with emphasis on bio-safety measures.
The new terminal has check-in hall with 60 check-in counters, 30 self-check-in kiosks, 10 self-bag drop, 16 immigration counters with more e-gate provisions, and 16 central security screening areas for departing passengers, according to a press release.
It has also 3 contact gates for wide body aircraft along with 10 remote contact gates with people mover-travellator, escalator, and panoramic lifts.
The terminal will house thirty-two arrival immigration counters with eight e-gate provisions at the mezzanine floor level, the statement added.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam pointed out that “while Addis Ababa Bole International Airport has overtaken Dubai to become the largest gateway to Africa last year, the new terminal will play a key role in cementing that position.”
According to him, “what makes the new terminal unique is that it’s the first terminal in the world to be completed after COVID-19.” (Press Release)