Ambasciata d Italia ad Addis Abeba SERVIZIO NEWS

Transcription

1 Ambasciata d Italia ad Addis Abeba SERVIZIO NEWS

2 Contents ETHIOPIA Etiopia: Gentiloni in visita ad addis abeba, ice apre un ufficio... 3 Japan To Support Ethiopia's Industry Through Kaizen... 5 Ethiopian city bans smoking in public areas... 6 Export Said Essential To Develop Foreign Currency, Create Jobs... 7 Ethiopia: Ethiopian Expanded Its Codeshare Agreement With Air India... 9 Ministry Suspended Issuing Exploration License In South Western Ethiopia Ethiopia Earned Usd Million From The Export Of Live Animals SOUTH SUDAN South Sudanese Warring Parties Vow To Observe Truce And Reach Peace DJIBOUTI Semaine Nationale De Solidarite : Debats Animes Sur La Protection Sociale A L ud.. 14 EVENTS Fabrizio Bosso And Luciano Biondini In Concert - IIC Martedi 13 Gennaio Alle Ore Italian Movies Oscar Series

3 ETIOPIA: GENTILONI IN VISITA AD ADDIS ABEBA, ICE APRE UN UFFICIO ETIOPIA Sarà ad Addis Abeba il 14 e il 15 Gennaio il ministro degli Esteri italiano Paolo Gentiloni. ( Africa e Affari) Lo si apprende da una nota del Ministero degli Esteri, nella quale non si forniscono ulteriori particolari. La visita del ministro degli Esteri fa seguito a quella di un importante delegazione imprenditoriale che a fine agosto 2014 aveva raggiunto Addis Abeba e alla quale avrebbe dovuto partecipare anche il vice ministro allo Sviluppo Economico Carlo Calenda, rimasto in Mozambico per favorire una mediazione politica nel paese. La folta delegazione imprenditoriale composta da rappresentanti di alcune delle eccellenze industriali ed infrastrutturali italiane accompagnata dall Ambasciatore Italiano ad Addis Abeba Giuseppe Mistretta era stata ricevuta dai massimi vertici del governo etiope, con incontri con il Primo Ministro Hailemariam Dessalegn, il Vice Primo Ministro con delega all Economia Debretsion Michael, i Ministri dell Industria e dell Energia, nonche i Vice Ministri dei Trasporti, e delle Costruzioni. PIL in crescita del 7-10% all anno dal 2004, inflazione ad una cifra, costo del lavoro tra i piu bassi al mondo, straordinarie potenzialità nell ambito delle energie alternative: questi sono alcuni degli indicatori economici piu interessanti dell Etiopia, Sul fronte politico, l Etiopia è divenuto un interlocutore di primo piano sia nelle questioni di sicurezza del Corno d Africa (a cominciare dalla Somalia) sia nelle questioni relative al traffico di essere umani. Aperto l ufficio ICE ad Addis Abeba A conferma delle crescenti relazioni, anche economiche, tra Italia ed Etiopia è stato ufficialmente aperto a dicembre ad Addis Abeba, all interno del compound dell Ambasciata italiana, l ufficio dell Agenzia per la promozione all estero e l internazionalizzazione delle imprese italiane (ICE). Nel riportare la notizia, Piazza, la newsletter pubblicata dall Ambasciata italiana in Etiopia, aggiunge che a dirigere il nuovo ufficio ICE di Addis Abeba è stata chiamata Alessia Bianchi, in precedenza responsabile dell ICE di New Delhi. L Ufficio ha il compito di agevolare, sviluppare e promuovere i rapporti economici e commerciali italiani con la realtà economica etiopica, con particolare attenzione alle esigenze delle piccole e medie imprese, nonché per la commercializzazione dei beni e servizi italiani in questo Paese. Compito dell ufficio ICE sarà anche quello di favorire le relazioni commerciali bilaterali, fornendo agli imprenditori 3

4 informazioni aggiornate sul mercato locale. La newsletter pubblicata dall Ambasciata d Italia ad Addis Abeba riporta inoltre anche la notizia della firma, sempre a dicembre, di un accordo quadro di cooperazione bilaterale denominato Framework Agreement tra il Vice Ministro etiope per le Finanze ed l economia, Ahmed Shide, e l Ambasciatore Giuseppe Mistretta. L accordo disciplina tutte le attività di cooperazione finanziate dall I talia, gli accordi sussidiari stipulati per la loro realizzazione e lo status degli enti, istituzioni e organizzazioni coinvolte. Entrerà in vigore a completamento delle procedure di ratifica e rimarrà in vigore fino che non sarà eventualmente sostituito. I precedenti risalgono agli anni 1973 e 1986 e regolavano unicamente la posizione del personale della Cooperazione e dell Ambasciata. 4

5 JAPAN TO SUPPORT ETHIOPIA'S INDUSTRY THROUGH KAIZEN Phase three Kaizen project is expected to be launched with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) by the beginning of ( WIC) The project expected be last until 2020, will contribute to strengthening industrial competitiveness to the country, according to Jim Kimiaki, chief representative of JICA Ethiopia Office during a press conference held on January 8, 2015 at its office off of Ethio- China Avenue. JICA provides bilateral aid in the form of Technical Cooperation, according to the chief representative. It has been providing monetary and technical support to Ethiopia since the Hailesilasie regime. Currently, JICA is engaged in agricultural and rural, private sector & industrial and infrastructure development. JICA has been providing technical assistance on Kaizen promotion in Ethiopia since October Ministry of Industry was the counterpart in Phase one and Ethiopian Kaizen Institute (EKI) was established for Phase two. During the last fiscal year, the agency trained 20,957 trainees rising from 11,996 are trainees in 2012/13 fiscal year. (Addis Fortune) 5

6 ETHIOPIAN CITY BANS SMOKING IN PUBLIC AREAS The capital of Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, Mekelle, has banned smoking in public areas, making it the first Ethiopian city to implement a tobacco control proclamation bill passed by parliament last year. ( WIC) Ethiopian lawmakers last year unanimously passed a law prohibiting smoking in public as part of national efforts to discourage the practice and curb tobacco-related illnesses. The ban, which has been welcomed by the wider public, also intends to help reduce exposure to secondhand smoke. The new law restricts smoking in public areas, including bars and restaurants and will also be banned in open-air spaces, including sports venues, schools, hospitals, health centres, and other areas where cultural and religious events take place. The law requires all public and private institutions to post a "No Smoking" sign within full view of patrons and also forbids media from advertising or promoting of tobacco products. According to sources in Mekelle, individuals caught violating the regulations will be fined $50, while bar owners who fail to enforce the new laws will face a $150 fine. Approached by Sudan Tribune, residents in Addis Ababa commended the move taken by the city and called on authorities in the capital and elsewhere to follow Mekelle's lead and introduce similar restrictions. 6

7 EXPORT SAID ESSENTIAL TO DEVELOP FOREIGN CURRENCY, CREATE JOBS The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) honored exporters and money transfer agents who promoted the bank's portfolio in terms of earning huge foreign exchange here Thursday at Sheraton Addis. ( WIC) The award is aimed at recognizing them and strengthening the export sector. The Bank has been giving its services for the last 70 years uninterruptedly regardless of changes of government. The exporters are those engaged in money transfer, coffee, leather, textile and mineral sectors. MIDROC Ethiopia, Western Union and Dehabshiil Money Transfer agents earned over 150 million USD while Belayneh Kindie, an exporter earned around 140 million USD receiving the highest awards and Certificates of Appreciation. CBE President Bekalu Zeleke said that the Bank was successful in expanding export trade, introducing local products for foreign market, making local products get recognition, and in building its capacity to be competitive in the international markets thanks to its investors' continuous hard work. Bekalu also said that as export trade is essential to develop foreign currency and to create employment, CBE has been working on how to support and encourage customers to work on export trade. We believe that our Bank has a problem on the export trade sector, even if our government has taken measures to boost export trade and recognize our investors efforts in their role to improve the growth of the national economy, Bekalu said. But it is undeniable that CBE is showing faster growth in the last few years. It has 9.4 million customers in its 909 branches in the country. The Bank s total asset has reached over 250 billion Birr. Bereket Simon, Adviser to the Prime Minister with the Rank of Minister and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the CBE, said that the government and its people have long been working hard to eradicate poverty and to make the country join the level of middle income countries through the implementation of various strategies. The Minister said: "The country's continuous registration of fast economic growth has been going on for the last seven years. To increase the pace of such growth to even higher levels the government's role in leading the people is significant." According to Bereket, due to the fall in the price of coffee in the global market in 2012/13 the country's income was forced to decline. However, despite this the export trade of the 2013/14 year has shown a marked improvement. Compared with the previous year, coffee has shown an increase of 41.5 per cent, oil seeds 17.1 per cent, meat and meat products 12.6 per cent while fruits and vegetables 7

8 have shown an increment of 8.7 per cent. Bereket said that government creates conducive environment for the export of manufactured products for local investors. Development partners and exporters should focus on working jointly by sustaining export trade to help the country sell its products and get more benefits from the sector. Country Representative to Dahabshiil Money Transfer Limited, AL. Jama Guush said on his part that Dahabshiil is the only African company working in Ethiopia, employing 5,000 people across 126 countries. It works with 17 banks in Ethiopia. Dahabshiil has more than 40 years experience in the provision of valuable lifeline in the Horn of Africa and it remains committed to its original values of trust, reliability, integrity and customer-focus. Dahabshiil plans to strengthen its position in the market and to further expand its network of agents throughout the world by building strong partnerships and adding new products and services to meet the growing expectations of its valued customers worldwide. Belayneh Kindie Importer - Exporter, the leading exporters of oilseeds and other cereals to different countries in the world especially to China started six years ago and has brought 60 million USD through CBE and 15 million USD through other banks. This success is a result of the hard and continuous efforts of its employees and managers in addition to the policy and strategy that are undertaken by the government. (EH) 8

9 ETHIOPIA: ETHIOPIAN EXPA NDED ITS CODESHARE AGREEMENT WITH AIR INDIA Ethiopian Airlines expanded its codeshare agreement ambit with India s national carrier, Air India, in order to include service that enables customers traveling from and to India and Africa to enjoy seamless and unparalleled connectivity options between domestic Indian points and African destinations. ( Merkato) The two airlines already had a codeshare agreement for the Mumbai and New Delhi routes. The new codeshare agreement enables them to include African points on Ethiopian operated network through its main hub in Addis Ababa, such as Kigali, Entebbe, Dar es Salaam, Harare and Nairobi, and on Air India s domestic routes beyond Mumbai and New Delhi with the inclusion of Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Bangalore. Commenting on the development Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam, said: "We are very pleased to further expand the successful codeshare partnership we already have with our Star Alliance partner Air India. Availing more routes and seamless connectivity options will greatly benefit the significant number of Indian community in Africa as well as Africans traveling to India for business or leisure, thereby improving the investment, trade, tourism and people-topeople ties between India and Africa. With a single ticket, passengers from Air India and Ethiopia will be able to fly to many African and Indian destinations, and with the recent joining of Air India into Star Alliance accrue and redeem their miles freely on both carriers." According to the press release by Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopian operates daily flights to Mumbai as well as New Delhi. It furthered that the airline is intending to significantly scale up its footprint in the Indian market with the start of double-daily flights. It also plans to open new routes in Southern India in the current Gregorian Year. 9

10 MINISTRY SUSPENDED ISSUING EXPLORATION LICENSE IN SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA Ministry of Mines (MoM) disclosed it is not going to issue mineral exploration license in the South western part of Ethiopia, despite the area is known for its mineral deposits. ( Merkato) The Ministry stated the reason why it suspended issuing mining license for that particular area as it has reserved the area for joint geological study being conducted by Ethiopian and Chinese geological survey institute. A public notice issued by the ministry also included it will not accept applications from companies requesting exploration areas in this part of the country for unspecific period of time. The government of China and Ethiopia signed deals which paved the way for the two countries survey institutes to undertake a joint geological study in the South Western part of Ethiopia since They are now trying to identify the mineral resources of the concession area and learn about the types of the existing minerals. According to The Reporter, the cost of the exploration project is covered by the Chinese Government. Nonetheless, this has not pleased Ethiopian and foreign mining companies. They claim it will give comparative advantage for Chinese mining firms. Bacha Fuji, Public Relations and Communication Directorate director at the Ministry, explained the the Chinese and Ethiopian geological survey institutes have been assessing the potential of the area for the past two years. They are adding value to the concession. Hence, the Mineral Licensing and Administration Directorate will not process exploration license applications until the joint study is finalized, he furthered. He added other areas that are not held by the joint study are open for interested local and foreign investors. 10

11 ETHIOPIA EARNED USD MILLION FROM THE EXPORT OF LIVE ANIMALS Ministry of Trade (MoT) announced Ethiopia earned USD Million from the export of live animals during the first six months of the current fiscal year. ( Merkato) 303,849 heads of live animals were exported in order for the nation to secure the revenue stated, Amakele Yimam, Public Relations Head at the Ministry, noted. Nevertheless, the Ministry has missed its target and Amakele blamed illegal trade of live animals for falling short of the target. The target was to export 412,281 heads of live animals and earn USD 106 Million in those six months. During the first half of the fiscal year, MoT in collaboration with the Federal Police seized 672 live animals that were being smuggled out of the country. Amakele also explained the Ministry is working with State Administrations to set up and equip the existing 1, 175 market centers with the necessary facility. 11

12 SOUTH SUDAN SOUTH SUDA NESE WARRING PARTIES VOW TO OBSERVE TRUCE A ND REACH PEACE The South Sudanese warring parties recommitted themselves to observes a cessation of hostilities and to work actively under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediated process to end the one-year conflict, Sudanese foreign minister announced in Khartoum on Monday. ( Sudan Tribune) The announcement was made at the end of a one-day special consultation in support of the (IGAD)-led South Sudan peace process organised by the Chinese government in Khartoum to discuss ways to achieve peace in South Sudan and improve the security situation in order to reach the conflict-affected civilians. The Chinese initiative comes after the failure of the regional organisation and the international community to bring the two parties to sign a negotiated settlement. Beijing is the principal investor and buyer of the South Sudanese oil. In a joint press conference with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi and the Ethiopian top diplomat Tedros Adhanom, the Sudanese foreign minister Ali Karti told reporters that the warring parties agreed to recommit themselves to the signed cessation of hostilities agreement and stop the fighting immediately, and accelerate efforts to reach an agreement on the formation of a transitional government. Karti further said the parties agreed to allow humanitarian access to the affected civilians, to protect the foreign personnel and interests in the conflict-areas and to cooperate with the IGAD cessation of hostilities monitors. The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned of the collapse of the peace process, saying that the issue of South Sudan now stands at a crossroads. "Thanks to the IGAD efforts and courageous step of the parties, the solution moves forwards, and any setback at this stage would collapse the process" he said. Wang Yi pointed out that the lack of stability in South Sudan creates great confusion, and impacts regional stability, adding "This is what the international community does not want to see happening, and we are in China as friends also do not like to see this happening." He noted that Khartoum consultative meeting did not mean to propose a new mechanism to resolve the conflict in South Sudan, but an attempt to support the "IGAD" process to reach a peaceful settlement, and to prepare for the upcoming head of states and government summit on the conflict. "From this angle consultations perfectly achieved its objectives and sent a clear message to the world.," Wang Yi emphasised. 12

13 The Chinese minister announced the intention of his country to send, a combat infantry battalion of 700 troops to the South Sudan in the framework of the United Nations peacekeeping mission there, and pointed out it will be the first force of its kind that China sends abroad. Karti praised the Chinese friendly initiative, stressing that China has no hidden agenda or purpose, therefore its initiatives are normal and acceptable by all parties" For his part, Foreign Minister, Tedros Adhanom, considered Khartoum conference as "an important milestone", adding that China is "a reliable friend and vital partner to the African continent and the Republic of South Sudan, which is facing challenges." The two warring parties had pledged several times in the past to implement a cessation of hostilities signed on 23 January They also vowed to facilitated the humanitarian access to the war areas and to protect the international staff. REBELS CALL ON CHINA TO IMPARTIALLY HELP END THE WAR Chief negotiator for the rebel faction of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Mov ement (SPLM- IO), Taban Deng Gai, has appreciated the latest role played by the Chinese government to bring the warring parties to a consultative dialogue. The rebels chief negotiator further called on the member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to continue to play an effective, but impartial role in helping to end the over one-year old war in South Sudan. In his opening speech in the China-initiated consultative conference on peace in South Sudan, Deng also stressed that the proposed deployment of Chinese troops to the region should be strictly under the mandate and command of the current United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The rebel official earlier on in the day met with the Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi. South Sudan is represented by her foreign minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, who led his party s delegation. SPLM-IO s chief negotiator told reporters in Khartoum that his group is willing to implement all the decision of the meeting and facilitate the humanitarian access to the needy pointing that the root causes of the conflict must be addressed in order to correctly forge a political settlement that would bring a lasting peace and stability. The official stressed the need to introduce various reforms in the governing system under federalism, reiterating their position for a transitional leadership structure that would include ceremonial president as head of state and prime minister to head government. 13

14 DJIBOUTI SEMAINE NATIONALE DE SOLIDARITE : DEBATS ANIMES SUR LA PROTECTIO N SOCIALE A L UD sur tous les fronts pour réalisées tout au long de La semaine nationale de combattre la pauvreté sous l année. Cette rencontre à Solidarité bat son plein. toutes ses formes et voler au l université s inscrivait dans ce Dans l après-midi de secours des populations les cadre. dimanche dernier, le plus démunis et les plus Dans son mot d introduction à Secrétariat d Etat à la vulnérables pour les extirper cette Conférence Dr Hibo Solidarité Nationale en des affres de la pauvreté. Moumin Assoweh, Directrice de collaboration avec le La résilience des populations la vie étudiante à l université de Ministère de face aux difficultés de la vie et Djibouti a indiqué que dans un l Enseignement Supérieur une des missions de ce monde où les difficultés et de la Recherche a département qui ne lésinent économiques sont de plus en organisé à l université de pas sur les moyens pour venir plus saillantes, l Islam a su Djibouti une conférence à bout de ce phénomène. apporter deux remèdes, deux atelier sur la protection Mise en place de microcrédits, stratégies gagnantes, parce sociale et les programmes travaux à haute intensité de qu elles prennent en sociaux en faveur des main d œuvre, autonomisation considération l aspect sociale et étudiants. Une rencontre des populations, le SESN a une humanitaire : il s agit de la organisée dans le cadre panoplie de programmes visant solidarité sociale et de la des dimanches de à juguler la pauvreté dans finance islamique. l université et qui a permis au public présent composé majoritairement notre pays. La protection sociale est au centre de tous ces dispositifs. Notre culture pastorale, a-t-elle dit, fait foi aussi de ces deux d étudiants de bien Elle constitue un maillon clé de grandes vertus que l occident comprendre les tenants et aboutissants du système de la chaine de solidarité nationale dont les efforts sont tournés aussi bien que l orient adoptent aujourd hui pour échapper aux protection sociale en vers la réduction de la crises économiques et la vigueur dans notre pays. vulnérabilité économique, pauvreté. sociale, alimentaire, Et la solidarité la plus efficiente ( La Nation) nutritionnelle et l atténuation d autres chocs et stress. est celle qui rapproche et crée le partage entre les citoyens, Depuis quelques années, le A l occasion de la semaine culturellement, historiquement Secrétariat d Etat à la Solidarité Nationale sous la houlette de Mme Zahra Youssouf Kayad est nationale de solidarité, le SESN marque un temps d arrêt pour faire le point sur les activités proche ( ). 14

15 La responsable a par ailleurs rappelé qu en étroite collaboration avec le Secrétariat d Etat à la solidarité nationale, le MENSUR a très vite ciblé l étudiant comme bénéficiaire essentiel du programme de la protection sociale parce que la jeunesse, véritable atout du développement du pays, est aussi par définition le tremplin de la solidarité : en lui apportant aide et appui, on le propulse dans la réussite, l intégration professionnelle et on ensuite à son tour il apportera son aide aux autres et plus particulièrement aux siens. Depuis trois ans, l université de Djibouti en collaboration avec le SESN met en œuvre un programme d assistance sociale aux étudiants pauvres et vulnérables et ceux handicapés qui bénéficient d un appui financier. Elle a conclu son intervention en indiquant que les résultats sont aujourd hui probants et cette stratégie dotée de trois paramètres ( le ciblage, la proximité et le suivi-évaluation) a porté ces fruits puisque le dernier rapport montre qu un grand pourcentage d étudiants bénéficiant de ces aides ont réussi. Ils sont aujourd hui quelque 414 étudiants qui bénéficient de ce programme et 600 dossiers sont en cours de traitement. Ensuite, ce fut au tour du représentant adjoint de l UNICEF à Djibouti de prendre la parole. Il a mis l accent sur le partenariat entre son organisme et le SESN, un partenariat basé sur le «principe de la participation et du dialogue». Il a indiqué que l université est un terrain favorable pour toute réflexion concernant le dialogue social et que les étudiants, futurs décideurs, devaient être associés aux discussions et aux échanges d idées. De son côté, la directrice de la solidarité nationale, Mme Amina Ahmed Warsama, a présenté le programme des filets sociaux mis à la disposition de la population et qui a pour objectifs de la protéger contre tous les aléas de la vie. Ils permettent de renforcer le capital humain par la formation, l éducation et l accès aux services sociaux de base. Mais aussi une redistribution des richesses en réduisant les inégalités et en établissant des ponts entre l Etat et le citoyen. Pour les personnes âgées, le programme de filets sociaux leur offre une assistance financière. En général, le programme des filets sociaux permet selon les explications de Mme Warsama d assurer l efficacité et l efficience des aides dans une perspective de stratégie de sortie de la pauvreté et la mise en place d un bon dispositif de suivi-évaluation très efficace. Quant à M. Abdallah de l Unicef, il a présenté le système de protection sociale et la stratégie de l UNICEF pour améliorer la situation des enfants dans notre pays en collaboration avec le Secrétariat d Etat à la Solidarité nationale. Celle-ci a débouché sur des réformes législatives et politiques visant à assurer l équité et à éliminer les discriminations et la mise en place d une protection sociale inclusive. Elle s est traduit aussi par la mise en place de programme 15

16 de lutte contre le VIH/SIDA des adolescents et des femmes enceintes et des aides sociales et des services de soins. Il a souligné que la mise en place d in observatoire national de la pauvreté est une vraie nécessité et celui-ci permettrait de coordonner les politiques nationales dans ce sens. La conférence s est clôturée par des questions adressées aux différents intervenants et relatives au système de protections sociales et des débats très animés. 16

17 EVENTS FABRIZIO BOSSO AND LUCIA NO BIONDINI IN CONCERT - IIC martedi 13 gennaio alle ore

18 ITALIAN MOVIES OSCAR SERIES In collaboration with Italian Cultural Institute 1. LA VITA E BELLA Directed by Roberto Benigni Jan 18 at Italian Cultural Institute All movies Start at 18:30 pm All movies are in Italian Language with English Subtitles Please call for more information 18