The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) disclosed that Ethiopia has earned USD 3.62 billion from export trade in the concluded 2013 Ethiopian budget year, which is a record high in its history.
Trade and Industry State Minister, Misganu Arega told journalists that the generated record amount is 88 percent of the performance planed and has shown a 95 percent increment compared to the previous year.
The state minister mainly attributed the record high export value amid the COVID-19 challenges to the integrated leadership given by the Prime Minister.
Misganu pointed out that Ethiopia’s export mainly depends on agricultural products with coffee and flower contributing 25 and 13 percent, respectively, to the total export value.
He also underscored the need to shift to manufacturing, which is contributing only 6.8 percent to the GDP.Agriculture, manufacturing and mines contributedUSD 2.47 billion, 390 million and 668 million respectively to the total earnings, according to him.(ENA)
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Nation embarks on water tariff for environmental protection
Ethiopia plans to facilitate environmental protection financed from a water tariff that will be operational soon, Basins Development Authority announced this week.
The authority has submitted a water tariff regulation to the Council of Ministers for approval, and will apply it upon endorsement.
Authority Deputy Director General, GetachewGizaw told The Ethiopian Herald that it is essential to develop river basins by the finance secured from the tariff. Therefore, the finance will be pumped into environmental protection projects focusing on basins.
The water tariff is crucial in efficiently utilizing water and preserving soil fertility via reducing acidity, he noted.
On the other hand, the tariff system will enable the nation to install a system that helps ensure sustainable basin development with sustainable financial and human resource, he stated.
According to him, the tariff also helps develop sense of belongingness among users to wholeheartedly contribute their share to environmental protection endeavors. (The Ethiopian Herald)
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Authority conducting groundwater resource study
A groundwater resource study that has the potential to benefit 5 million people in three regional states is underway, according to Basins Development Authority.
During the discussion on the first inception report of the study, the Authority Groundwater Study Director-General,ZebeneLakew said there are limitations of studies that hamper effective utilization of groundwater in Ethiopia, even if the country has huge untapped groundwater.
By mapping and identifying the huge potentials of groundwater resource, the study is expected to fill the gap in using the resource based on researches, he added.
According to him, the study based on hydrological mapping would identify groundwater in 53 Woredas of Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions.
Three consulting firms are selected to conduct the study, it was learnt.
Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Program Coordinator at the British Embassy in Ethiopia, WondowossenAnteneh said that the British government has allocated about EUR 3.2 million to support the Government of Ethiopia in conducting the study. (ENA)
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Intelligence, defense & police universities agree to work together in education, research
The National Intelligence University College, Defense University, and Police University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that enables them to work together in education, training, and research.
The agreement, signedon Thursdaybetween Defense University President, Maj. Gen. DessalegnTeshome, National Intelligence University College President,WondimuKassa, and Police University President, Commissioner MesfinAbebe.
During the signing ceremony, Dessalegn said the MoUwould enable the institutions to collaborate on their missions.Noting that no institute can be self-sufficient, he underlined the importance of cooperation among these universities to boost their capacity and effectively undertake responsibilities.
Wondimu on his part said the agreement would enable the institutions to work together in cooperation in order to maintain national security.According to him, working closely would enhance the capacity of the institutions, as their missions are similar.
Mesfin said that the institutions play crucial role in helping the country achieve its economic, political and social goals. (ENA)
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Horn Brief
WB approves USD 100 mln for healthcare services in Somalia
The World Bank (WB) said it has approved a total of USD 100 million to help improve healthcare services in Somalia.
The project, which seeks to improve healthcare services, is financed by a USD 75million grant from the International Development Assistance (IDA) and an additional USD 25 million grant from the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF).
“The project will help catalyze Somalia’s resilient growth by improving health and productivity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic,” WB Country Manager for Somalia, Kristina Svensson said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
The WBsaid the project would deliver essential health and nutrition services and improve health service coverage and quality in some of Somalia’s most disadvantaged areas, including in Nugaal (Puntland), Bakool and Bay (South West), Hiraan, and Middle Shebelle (Hirshabelle).
According to the lender, around 10 percent of Somalia’s population, as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs) and nomads in the target regions will benefit from the project activities. (Xinhua)
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Djibouti, Ethiopia to launch second power link
Djibouti and Ethiopia have secured finances to build a second electricity transmission line after the two neighbors enjoyed the returns from the first project that linked their power grids.
The first project has enabled Djibouti to import Ethiopia’s hydropower processed, renewable and cheap electricity.
After, the two countries agreed to further develop the project; the African Development Bank (AfDB) has now approved two grant loans worth USD 83.6 million, which enables Ethiopia and Djibouti to proceed with the construction of their second power transmission line, which will eventually boost their energy trade.
According to a statement the bank issued last week, the Board of Directors of the AfDB approved the funds in a bid to boost cross-border trade in electricity between Ethiopia and Djibouti.
The grant is also intended to deepen economic integration in the Horn of Africa’s region.
The funds comprise a USD 69.65 million grant to Ethiopia and a second grant of USD 13.93 million to Djibouti and were sourced from the African Development Fund, the African Development Bank’s concessional financing window. (The East Africa)
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Domestic violence, forced marriage rose in Sudan: UN-backed study
Deteriorating economic conditions since 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic have fueled an increase in domestic violence and forced marriage in Sudan, UN-backed study revealed on this week.
Voices from Sudan 2020, published this week, is the first-ever nationwide qualitative assessment of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country, where a transitional government is now in its second year.
Addressing the issue is a critical priority, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government’s Combating Violence against Women Unit (CVAW), co-authors of the report.
“The current context of increased openness by the Government of Sudan, and dynamism by civil society, opens opportunities for significant gains in advancing women’s safety and rights,” they said.
The report aims to complement existing methods of gathering data and analysis by ensuring that the views, experiences and priorities of women and girls, are understood and addressed.
Researchers found that communities perceive domestic and sexual violence as the most common GBV issues. (UN News)
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Foreign fighters killed in Somalia’s Puntland state
Al-Shabaab and IS foreign fighters have been killed and bases destroyed in a security operation by Somali forces, Puntland authorities confirmed.
Speaking to the media, Puntland Security Minister, Abdisamad Galan said on Monday hundreds of soldiers mobilized in the region had successfully managed to kick the terrorists out of several villages in the region.
The operations dubbed NadiifintaAaggaBosaso – NAB (Operation combing Bosaso Area) captured key Al-Shabab and ISIS held bases that were central to their operations in Puntland state.
Among those killed in the operations against al-Shabaab and IS are foreign fighters, according to the Minister.
“During the operation, Puntland forces eliminated foreigners and Somali nationals who were leading the heinous operations of Al-Shabaab and ISIS in Puntland. The areas are now under the control of Puntland forces,” the Minister said.
Last Saturday, the military also killed a senior al-Shabaab commander in Middle Shabelle region.
In a statement, SNA said NuhDhagool, who was leading the operation to extort the local populace to fund the group’s activities in the town, was killed Friday night. (Horseed Media)
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