The International Crisis Group on Tuesday announced the appointment to its Board of Trustees of Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
A statement released by the Crisis Group said Hailemariam has joined Crisis Group with a wealth of experience at the highest echelons of government.
Hailemariam served as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) from 2013 to 2014 and as Ethiopia’s Prime Minister from 2012 to 2018.
Federica Mogherini, former Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also joined Crisis Group along with Hailemariam Dessalegn.
Crisis Group’s President and CEO Robert Malley said: “Hailemariam and Federica will enrich our debates, sharpen our analysis and bolster our advocacy. I look forward to working closely with them as we seek to prevent and resolve deadly conflict across the globe”.
According to the statement, with these two additions this December, the Board of Trustees now consists of 47 individuals from 30 countries. (Press Release)
Agreement signed to execute close to 300 USD mln PPP solar projects
A Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement for the implementation of two mega solar projects costing about USD 300 million was signed on Thursday.
The agreement was signed between the Ethiopian Government and the Saudi Arabia based international energy firm ACWA to build the mega solar projects in Somali and Afar regional states.
Finance State Minister Teshome Tafesse told ENA the mega solar projects will together generate 250 MW when they become operational after 18 months.
The total solar projects that would be constructed by Public Private Partnership (PPP) are reportedly three, and implementation agreements are going to be completed in the first quarter of 2020.
Teshome stated that Ethiopia has been successfully managing the international tender process of PPP, pointing out that today’s agreement is a demonstration that the country is securing the cheapest energy tariff at the global level.
It is to be recalled that Ethiopia had issued international bid for the construction of six mega solar projects worth USD 800 million. (ENA)
Over 337 investors receive investment license online
Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) on Tuesday disclosed that over 337 investors received investment license online following the launching of an online service platform.
The platform also enables online administration of investment incentives, and the Commission also disclosed that the country has attracted USD 700 million USD Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) during the first quarter of the ongoing fiscal year.
Talking to The Ethiopian Herald, Mekonnen Hailu, Public Relation Director at the Commission said that from the time of the new online application announcement over 337 investors, out of which 281 are foreigners, have received their license online. This year the commission secured USD 700 million in the first quarter and 13 percent greater than the past year.
The online database system helps investors to apply online easily without being physically present, which reduces unnecessary hassle, and saves time and energy, he indicated. This also comes after an initiative to revise Ethiopia’s investment law regime, where investors can apply for new investment permit and its renewal, was launched nearly a year ago. (The Ethiopian Herald)
Ethiopia, Saudi fund for development sign USD 140 mln loan agreement
Ethiopia and Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) signed a 140 million USD loan agreement on Thursday.
Finance Minister, Ahmed Shide and Khaled bin Sulaiman Al Khudairy, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Board of Directors of SFD signed the agreement in which Prime Minister Abiy witnessed.
Some USD 75 million of the total deal will be used for the construction of 118 kilometers Debre-Markos-Mota road project, which is expected to be finalized in five years.
While the remaining USD 65 million will be used for the implementation of One WASH program, it was indicated.
The One WASH program is designed to strengthen provision of water, and sanitation and hygiene in urban and rural areas that will continue until 2023.
Similarly, Ethiopia has signed a deal with the International Company for Water and Power Projects (ACWA POWER) for the Dicheto and Gad solar power projects.
The agreement aims at supporting efforts of strengthening power provision where the two projects are expected to produce a total of 250MW solar energy. (ENA)
