Addis Ababa December 07/2018 Ethiopia and World Bank have signed 100-million
USD loan agreement to finance the implementation of the Resilient Landscapes and
Livelihoods Project today.
The loan will support the government’s effort in areas of climate resilience, land
productivity and carbon storage as well as access to diversified livelihood activities
in selected rural watersheds.
The project is designed to help improve the livelihoods of 645,000 rural households,
predominantly those who are vulnerable to climate variability, recurrent drought
and land degradation, it was learned.
During the signing ceremony, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said Ethiopia’s diverse
production landscapes provide a range of services for poor rural people.
The government introduced Sustainable Land Management Program 10 years ago,
the minister said, adding that the World Bank has been supporting the program
since its initial days.
Ahmed pointed out that the program is bringing good results and today’s
agreement will scale up the success of the project.
WB Country Director, Carolyn Turk said building successful land management
program will further promote effective landscape management activities that
increase not only land productivity but also contribute to Ethiopia’s Climate Resilient
Green Economy.
“By promoting livelihood diversification and income-generating activities such as
apiculture, poultry farming, sheep and goat fattening, vegetable and fruit farming,
and the use of more efficient cook stoves, it will further help to reduce pressure on
natural resource,” Turk elaborated.
She also said the project will provide beneficiaries with additional income and
generating opportunities and strengthening linkage to value chain.
The project will cover Amhara, Tigray, Oromia, Gambela, Benshangul Gumuz, and
Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples regional states.

Addis Ababa December 06/2018 Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu and
Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Emanuela Claudia Del Re discussed today about
bilateral and regional relations.
Deputy Foreign Minister Del Re said the officials exchanged views on
development, job opportunities for the youth and cultural exchange as well as
infrastructure.
“Ethiopia is the initiator of the fantastic peace process that we Italians value
immensely; and we need to learn a lot from this,” the deputy foreign minister
added.
The peace process has a significant impact on the global scenario, according to
her.
Del Re added that there is a strong will to make the region stable and
prosperous; and expressed her will to support it as there is demand to invest in
Ethiopia due to the stability in the country.
Foreign Minister Workneh on his part has reportedly emphasized on the need to
strengthen economy relation and urged Italian investors to invest in Ethiopia.
He added that the deputy foreign minister has assured him to fully support
economic integration in the Horn.

Addis Ababa, December 6, 2018 – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Chancellor
of Austria Sebastian Kurz held today bi-lateral discussions on issues of
strengthening trade, investments and technology exchange.
As an avenue for further improving diplomatic relations, the two leaders also
explored the potential for the opening of an Ethiopian embassy in Vienna,
according to Office of the Prime Minister.
Kurz arrived in Addis Ababa early this morning.
Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, he was welcomed by Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu.
The Ethiopian Premier met with Chancellor Kurz at the end of October 2018, on
the margins of the G20 Investment Summit held in Berlin, Germany.
On the occasion, the two leaders agreed to strengthen the ties between
Ethiopia and Austria.

Africa-China Business Expo, branded as “China –Ethiopia Industrial Capacity
Cooperation Exposition” opened (December 03) at the #Addis Ababa Exhibition
Center. The expo which was organized in line with the decisions passed during the
Forum on #China #Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) targets to elevate the all rounded
partnership between Africa and China to a higher level.
Noting that the expo is happening for the first time, organizers remarked that the
event will help to further elevate the constantly growing Ethio-China trade and
Investment Partnership. The expo will be open for the public until Wednesday
(December 05).
President of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, Melaku
Ezezew (Engineer), said the expo would serve as an important platform to attract
new investors and create joint ventures as well as facilitate technology transfers.
Chief of the Chinese Council for Promotion of International Trade, He Cailong said
the “China – #Ethiopia Industrial Capacity Cooperation Exposition” is a show case
of the key trade and economic partnership between the two sides, adding that the
current expo would help to strengthen the bilateral trade ties in a bid to advance
mutual benefits.
Several companies from both sides will be participating at the expo. 46 Chinese
Companies which have strong investment portfolio in areas of agriculture and food
processing, technology, hospitality industry, mining and automotive sectors are in
attendance.
China –Ethiopia Industrial Capacity Cooperation Exposition will also include feature
Business to Business sessions as well as visits to industrial parks.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the #US, Ambassador Kassa Tekleberhan on
Sunday (December 02) held productive discussions with prominent
members of the Sikkoo Mandoo Association, based in Minnesota.
Members of the association expressed their continued commitment to
support the ongoing political and economic reforms in #Ethiopia. The
meeting focussed on ways of enhancing #Diaspora engagement in
areas of business and investment.

Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and six other Ethiopians, including Group CEO of
Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam and CEO of Ethio Telecom, Frehiwot
Tamiru have made it to New African magazine’s list of “100 Most Influential
Africans.” According to New African magazine, the annual list has become an
industry and readers’ much-awaited collation – revealing Africans who contributed
in shaping the African narrative in the concluding year and envisaged to play a big
role in the coming year, both on the continent and in the Diaspora.
There is an equal amount of men and women featuring in this year’s list of “100
Most Influential Africans,” and the report noted Dr. Abiy’s bold moves to ensure
gender parity. It said, “Ethiopia even taking a lead in achieving gender parity in
Cabinet, and appointing its first ever female President under its new reformist
Prime Minister Abiy, the magazine felt it apt to produce a 50/50 ratio in this year’s
list…and this happened as much by chance as it did by design.”

Addis Ababa, December 3, 2018 – The World Bank Group today announced that it
would invest 200 billion US dollars to support countries taking action against
climate change from 2021-25.
Jim Yong Kim, president of World Bank, said the world’s poorest and most
vulnerable are at the greatest risk from climate change and he urged the wider
global community to follow its lead.
He said “We are pushing ourselves to do more and to go faster on climate and we
call on the global community to do the same. This is about putting countries and
communities in charge of building a safer, more climate-resilient future.”

Addis Ababa December 03/2018 – Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz will arrive in
Addis Ababa on Thursday, 6th December 2018 for an official visit to Ethiopia.
During his stay, the chancellor will hold discussion with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
on bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
It is to be recalled that PM Abiy and Chancellor Kurz had, on the sidelines of G20
Investment Summit October 2018, agreed to strengthen ties between Ethiopia and
Austria.
Ethiopia and Austria relation dates back to over 50 years.