- “We are launching a new coffee brand to champion Ethiopia’s famous, unique and distinctive fine coffee in the international market” , Mengistie said. Though Ethiopia is a historic birth place of coffee, Ethiopia is way back in proactively managing and promoting its famous fine coffee.The move Ethiopia took is a land mark moment for the nation says Getachew.“This is a land mark moment for Ethiopia and we are proud to project the identity of Ethiopian coffee this way and we look forward our coffee farmers to reap the rewards in short and long terms.”The brand new identity comprises a central logo for Ethiopia fine coffee which takes its inspiration from the coff…

- According to LU Qi Yuan, president of the Investment group 80 Investment projects will be constructed at a cost of 5 billion Chinese Yuan Renminbi (some 6.7 billion Birr)  Over 20 Chinese companies have already shown Interest to invest at the Industrial zone which is named as Ethiopian Eastern Industrial zone (EEIZ)  The Model was taken based on Decades of economic experience of china. It was learnt.  The projects will include textile and garment, shoe, leather and leather products food, electrical materials and steel manufacturing sectors. When the private Industrial zone comes to an end in the next 5 years it will create a job opportunity to over 20,000 local people.&…

- According to EEPCO General Manager Meseret Debebe lack of expected seasonal ‘Belg’ rain for   prolonged time compounded by evaporation of water from dams has left power generating stations crippled from fully operating. Further moré the ever increasing high power demanding industry, wide investment and the delay in completion of hydropower projects under way has contributed a lot to the power shortage the nation is facing.To cope up the power shortage EEPCO has planted 21 medium size diesel generators and 5 water pumpers across the capital, Addis Ababa. Additional 24 power generators are also planned to be planted.Currently, Ethiopia is forced to spend close to…

-  “The number of tourists that visited the country during the past three years was around 170,000, which shows a 50% increase during the year 2007”, the ministry indicates.In 2006, travel and tourism in Ethiopia accounted for only 5.5% of the country’s GDP “The government is proving its commitment and willingness to develop tourism through a number of initiatives. Tourism is a featured component of Ethiopia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) that aims to combat poverty and encourage development in the country,” the ministry said in its report.Though Ethiopia increasingly has done a lot to develop its promising tourism sector but compared…

- "There is a deficit around our neighbours," Mekuria Lemma, head of the programme planning department at the state-owned Ethiopian Electric Power Co., says "If we are successful in doing this, power will be our biggest export." Ethiopia is building five hydropower dams by 2011 with a total generating capacity of 3,150 megawatts and is considering spending 3,2 billion euros (US$4,7 billion) on four more, Lemma said. The aim is an 11fold increase in capacity to 9,000 megawatts by 2018 with surplus power exported to neighbouring Kenya, Djibouti, and Sudan. Gibe IV, the largest of the four new projects, would cost about 1,9 billion euros and generate 2 000 megawatts. A feasi…

- Arkebe Equbai, State Minister of Works and Urban Development, told a press conference on Thursday that the would-be beneficiaries will have to pay upfront thirty percent of the purchasing price of the trucks and will have access to secure loans from the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) to cover the balance. The acquisition of the trucks has already been finalized, according to Arkebe. The trucks are supplied by one of the biggest Chinese car manufacturers called SINOTRUK, Arkebe said. Half of the 2000 heavy-duty cars have a loading capacity of 16 cubic meter while the rest have a 40-ton capacity with trailers. The ministry is finalizing short-listing the would-be contractors and transport…

- Ethiopia has great potential for increased livestock production, both for local use and for export.  However, expansion was constrained by inadequate nutrition, disease, a lack of support services such as extension services, insufficient data with which to plan improved services, and inadequate information on how to improve animal breeding, marketing, and processing.  The high concentration of animals in the highlands, together with the fact that cattle are often kept for status, reduces the economic potential of Ethiopian  The ministry said the required revenue is not being earned because of lack of quality and market information despite the ample livestock resource of the…

- “82% of the construction is completed; the plant will begin generating 300 megawatts of electric power in 2008"says director of the plant - Engineer Oweys Ibrahim. The 188 meter high of the major concert dam which will be the biggest water reservoir in Africa followed by one in Lesotho will be capable of accumulating 9.3 billion cubic meters of water during completion.Currently some 500 Chinese workers and over 3000Ethiopians are engaged in the construction.Tekeze hydroelectric project is under construction by a total sum of 350 million dollars Some 1,180 MW will be added to Ethiopia’s grid by early 2009, when the 3 major hydroelectric power projects now under wa…

- In a statement it released, police said the fire arms have been recovered from criminal's, gang groups and from voluntarily surrendered by members of the public. Addis police commander Yemane legesse said “some 10,000 hand guns and 3,000 hand grenades are set on fire yesterday.” The destruction of the illegal weapons was taken in line with the Nairobi protocol for prevention, control in reduction of small arms and illegal light weapons signed in 2004 by states that had earlier initiated the Nairobi declaration. “Further more 15,000 hand knives and 170,000 bullets are also set on fire”, Yemane said adding." the efforts of rooting out small arms wi…

- The commissioner, Bennis Gamanos made the remark in Addis at a meeting host by AU-Japan embassy cooperation.Commissioner Gawanos said “civilian security must be protected to bring a better and developed Africa”.The Aim of the meeting is to bring an immediate action to assure civilian rights across the country to be held .“State leaders and concerned officials on protecting civilian rights must scale up their efforts to protect citizens from threats” Gawanos added.Japanese Ambassador to Ethiopia and representative to AU kenichi Komano on his said “civillan protection was picked as a point of discussion to make prior preparations so as to address the issue on th…

- Investors and other companies currently engaging them selves in different investment sectors said” the award Ethiopian government made is a major step to hit the targets Ethiopia is trying to make poverty history” In a collective statement they send to Africa news they said “the move is a key which encourages investors and firms involved in different investment sectors” The 10 countries awarded as top buyers of Ethiopian products have purchased a total of 689.6 million USD worth Ethiopian goods over the past Ethiopian year. Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Japan, USA, the Sudan, Djibouti the Netherlands, China and Switzerland are the biggest Ethiopian pr…

- Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi said, Ethiopia is ready to work closely with the US Africa joint command to be established soon in Africa. Meles made the remark during talks with US Africa command commander, General William E. Ward on Thursday in his office. “The US Africa command will be important in playing a major role in bringing lasting peace and security across the continent”, Meles said. The US Africa command whose head office is not yet decided will assist the continent during emergencies and insecurity problems. “The command will be a major input in bringing solution to African crises and security related problems that could arise though African…