Archive for category: Uncategorized

Addis Ababa January 02/2019 Ethiopia’s export under AGOA has jumped by 62 percent between October 2017 and September 2018.
The country experienced the largest increase exports in the period under review, according to USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub.
“If this growth continues, Ethiopia may quickly become the second or third largest exporter under AGOA in East Africa,” the Hub said.
East African countries supported by the USAID-Hub reached nearly one billion dollars in exports to the U.S. under AGOA in the period under review.
This is a 17 percent rise over figures from the previous year, and a 42 percent increase since the USAID Hub began.
Kenya remained the largest exporter in eastern Africa with a total of 454 million dollars.
Almost all other countries saw their exports grow, with the exceptions of Mauritius and Burundi. Mauritius has witnessed increased competition since Madagascar regained its AGOA eligibility. Burundi, while not AGOA-eligible, saw its exports under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) drop.
According to the Hub, apparel continues to dominate East African exports across countries, accounting for 84.4 percent of all AGOA exports during the reported period.
East African countries have made sustained efforts to take advantage of their AGOA eligibility in recent years.
Rwanda, Uganda, Madagascar, Tanzania and Kenya have developed national AGOA strategies that outline targeted support for critical sectors and product categories to maximize the countries’ utilization of its duty-free benefits, while Ethiopia is in the process of updating its national strategy.
Firms, with the Hub’s support, have also made strides in increasing their competitiveness so that they can better compete internationally.
Through these efforts supported by the USAID Hub, East African countries have set record-high totals of AGOA exports.
To date, USAID Hub trade and investment support has contributed to 4.07 billion dollars in AGOA exports from the region, with 491.5 million dollars from USAID Hub-supported firms.
The USAID Hub boosts trade and investment with and within East Africa by deepening regional integration, increasing competitiveness of selected agricultural value chains, promoting two-way trade with the U.S. and facilitating investment and technology to drive trade growth.

Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu bade farewell to Amb. Susanna Moorehead, the outgoing UK Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti (non-resident) and Permanent Representative to the AU and UN Economic Commission for Africa earlier this morning.
Minister Workneh thanked and appreciated the Ambassador’s endeavor to enhance and complement relations between Ethiopia and UK, highlighting the true friendship & common vision both countries enjoyed including collaboration on a myriad of issues of mutual concern at regional and global levels.
He said, “Our long-standing historical and important relation has garnered practical outcomes as Ethiopia is undertaking sweeping reforms in good governance, opening up political space and democratization.” He added, “Independent, strong & trustworthy institutions are vital bedrocks to bring progress in democratization and we call for the international community to support our endeavor on this regard.”
Ambassador Susanna Moorehead expressed her country’s continued commitment to support Ethiopia and the efforts of ensuring regional peace, stability and economic integration in the Horn  of Africa. She said, “I’m pleased to witness Ethiopia’s political transition during my tenure of duty and Ethiopia has been a stabilizing force in a difficult and highly uncertain region.” “The UK is keen to support Ethiopia in human capital development, job creation and
institution building,” she added.
Minister Workneh punctuated the need to further bolster trade and investment ties between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom. He said, “Ethiopia and the UK have enjoyed rich diplomatic relations covering a range of areas, including trade, culture, education and development cooperation.”
Minister Workneh awarded the Ambassador Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her outstanding contribution in enhancing the bilateral ties between Ethiopia and the UK.
The UK was among the first countries to open an embassy in Addis Ababa, while Ethiopia was the first African country to establish an embassy in London

Addis Ababa November 29/2018 Ethiopia has been entering into a paradigm shift and the reform underway is a model for other African countries, US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Tibor Nagy said.
Following the discussion with Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu, Nagy told the media today that taking political parties as competitors rather than enemies is one of the showcases of paradigm shift.
One of the incredibly significant things the Prime Minister said recently is “we no longer look at our political opposition as enemies but as competitors.” That is a significant change and paradigm shift, he added.
“I only wish countries everywhere would take that model because that is exactly what an opposition is. When I heard that my heart left for joy, and absolutely we support this reform,” Nagy underscored.
Further commenting on the reform, the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs said they are extremely significant and it is going to mean a lot for the young people. “I do urge a certain amount of patience because everything cannot change for the better immediately in all aspects.”
The political space is wide open but it needs a little bit of patience. Now, the whole world is applauding what is going on Ethiopia; and the country is very fortunate, he pointed out.
Nagy also praised Ethiopia’s role in the Horn of Africa. He noted that the region is dramatically changing for the better, thanks for the tremendous efforts of Ethiopia.
According to him, trade and investment will be the priority of U.S in Africa. “So going forward, I will bring a lot of American companies here.”
One thing Ethiopia has been doing remarkably is building universities. “Now we have to make sure that millions of young people who come out from universities have professional jobs to go into,” he observed.
Nagy added: “To do that, we need to attract a lot of investment. So companies will come from all over the world not only America.”

Addis Ababa, November 28, 2018 – Ethiopia’s Minister of Defense Aisha Mohammed today met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy and General Thomas D. Waldhauser, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). They discussed on opportunities for security cooperation between the United States and
Ethiopia, according to the US embassy in Ethiopia. Nagy arrived in Addis Ababa for an official visit today.
Upon arrival at the Addis Ababa International Airport, he was received by State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Markos Tekle. Assistant Secretary Nagy is expected to conduct bilateral meetings with other government officials. He will also participate in the United States-African Union High-Level Dialogue in Addis Ababa.

Addis Ababa, December 28, 2018 – Ethiopia has sent 35 volunteer medical doctors and four specialists to Eritrea today. According to the Ministry of Health, the health professionals, who graduated from Bahir Dar University, will provide healthcare services for two months and share experience with Eritrean health professionals.
State Minister of Health, Dr Liya Kebede, said the deployment of the medical doctors will have a significant contribution towards strengthening socio-economic integration in the Horn of Africa. She further said they will play a key role in cementing the ties between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Ethiopia will dispatch health professionals to other east African countries to strengthen people-to-people relations, she said. Members of the medical team said “we are happy and proud to serve the people of Eritrea.”