China has extended USD 260 million in loan to Ethiopia for the construction of an industrial park to be built in Adama town in cooperation with the Province of Hunan.
Exim Bank of China offered the loan as per the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the leaders of the two countries during President Xi Jinping’s last visit to Ethiopia.
Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, who witnessed the signing of the agreement Yesterday in Changsha, the capital of Hunan, said that the industrial park which will produce heavy machinery and power equipment is unique to the country.
While addressing the Ethiopia-Hunan Investment Cooperation Conference prior to the signing of the agreement, Hailemariam said the park with its unique features will enable the country to attract more FDI.
“The participation of Chinese companies in infrastructure development, energy generation and transmission, manufacturing industries, development and management of industrial parks and transfer of technology is remarkable”, he added.
The Premier noted that Ethiopia can learn a lot from Hunan in modernizing agriculture, industrialization, and development and management of industrial parks. (ENA)
Ethiopia hit by 256 cyberattacks in six months: INSA
Ethiopia was hit by 256 grand cyberattacks in the first six months this fiscal year (2016/17) alone, according to the Information Network Security Agency (INSA) of Ethiopia.
Citing communication head of INSA, Mohammed Edris, Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) reported on Thursday that telecommunication and financial institutions infrastructures were among the targets of these cyber attacks.
He said Ethiopia was one of the 11 African nations targeted by last Friday’s Wanna Cry ransom ware cyber attack that hit 155 countries worldwide.
According to Mohammed, INSA was able to prevent the cyber attacks without causing serious damages to the country.
Taking into consideration the threats will continue in the future, the agency is working in collaboration with institutions that are at risk of cyber attacks, he said.
Moreover, an agreement has been reached with Mekele University and Addis Ababa University Institute of Technology to launch cyber education in second degree program next Ethiopian academic year, the communication head also noted. (FBC)
Cholera outbreak death toll reaches 700 in Somalia
At least 11 people, including women and children, died over the last two days while more than 30 people were also infected after a cholera outbreak hit villages in central Somalia, pushing the death toll just over 700, Anadolu News Agency reported on Wednesday.
Saed Mohamud Hassan, a traditional elder in the region, told Anadolu over telephone: “The villages of Dalhis, Hodley, Halaney and Hul-adur were hard hit by the outbreak. At least 11 people died, including eight women, two children, and an elder.”
Abdimalik Mustaf (PhD), a doctor in the region, also confirmed the death toll to the Turkish News Agency.
Over 13 out of 18 Somali regions have been hit by the outbreak, according to the United Nations.
Somalia’s drought has led to a lack of clean water, and before today’s updated death toll, cholera had killed about 690 people this year. This is said that it the largest outbreak of cholera Somalia has seen in the last five years, according to the WHO. (Anadolu)
Ezdan set to launch multi-purpose project in Addis
Ezdan Holding Group, a Qatari company based in Doha, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a high-level Ethiopian delegation to launch a multi-purpose real estate project in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.
The project, which will be located in a vital area in the heart of Addis Ababa spreading over 60,000sqm of land, includes a five-star hotel in addition to other vital facilities, such as a convention centre, a tower of hotel apartments and offices, a variety of retail outlets, modern restaurants and cafes.
The MoU was signed following a series of visits and meetings between Chairman of Ezdan Holding Group, Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, and Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn of Ethiopia and other representatives.
The meeting with the Ethiopian delegation was also attended by Ezdan Vice-Chairman, Sheikh Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani, and Group CEO Ali Mohamed Al Obaidli.
The Ethiopian side was led by Mayor of Addis Ababa, Deriba Kuma and other senior officials. (FBC)