A Successful Meeting Promoting Ethiopia
by
the Ethiopian High-Level Delegation from Amhara Region
Washington DC; Thursday, 03 July 2008
Belai Habte-Jesus, MD, MPH
Global Strategic Enterprises, Inc,globalbelai@yahoo.com.
www.globalbelai4u.blogspot.com
Five Senior Delegates from Ethiopia
A group of five senior Ethiopian Government officials from the Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia concluded a successful tour of the United States (Dallas, Texas; Los Angeles, California; Atlanta, Georgia) by holding a public meeting at the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, DC.
The delegation is led by His Excellency Demeke Mekonnen, the Vice President of the Amhara Regional State in Ethiopia and the Chief of the Capacity Building Agency. He was accompanied by Ato Hilawi Yoseph, the Chairman of the Amhara Development Association, Ato Kassa Tekle Birhan, head of the office of Trade and Industry; Ato Birhanu Ayichew, The Economic Advisor to the Regional President and head of Diaspora Affairs; and Ato Dereje Seyum, Head of the Office of Investment Agency.
Professional and Diverse Community members in attendance.
There were a diverse group of highly interactive and engaging members of the Ethiopian community that attended the meeting and included two sitting Ambassadors to USA and India, Drs Samuel Assefa and Genet Zewdie , and other entrepreneurs; business people, and professionals from different walks of life, that gave the meeting the taste of the much needed rich diversity of the Metropolitan Washington DC Ethiopian communities. Their interactive participation in the question and answer sessions were highly disciplined, respectful and rather enriched with insight and perspectives that made the evening a worth while experience unique in the Metropolitan Washington DC area.
The delegation was hosted by the Organizing Committee of the local Ethiopian Community in the Metropolitan Washington DC , and the Constituency Capacity Building Team of the Ethiopian Embassy led by Ato Mulugeta Tsegaye and Minister Counselor Mulie Tarekegne respectively.
Responding to the Ethiopian Community hospitality.
The meeting opened with a brief account of the historical progression of the modern Ethiopian Democratic movements that culminated in the establishment of the current federal democratic government, that developed a lasting constitution that respects the individual and collective rights and responsibilities of all Ethiopians in a an environment that respects the unique cultural and linguistic heritage that defined Ethiopia’s unique position in world history as the only independent multi-cultural nation that has existed for Millennia.
Promoting the Great Ethiopian Potential
Mulugeta Tsegaye emphasized that the Amhara Region is one of the nine regional administration that has implemented the federal constitution that respects universal human rights, democratic good governace principles and invited the Diaspora communities and friends of ethiopia to invest our talent, resources and networks to promote the Amhara Region and Ethiopia's great opportunities and potential.
Challenges and Opportunities of the Federal Government
Special emphasis was made about the new Federal Democratic Governance that is currently in operation in Ethiopia that is based on principle of universal human rights, Constitution based Good Governance and democratic representation that has enshrined the devolution of power to regional government and the establishment of a Federal Democratic governance structure of Ethiopia with Nine Regional Administrations. The challenges and opportunities of the Federal Government of Ethiopia especially in the area of skilled man power and efficient development and investment culture were articulated with substantial evidence that attracted substantial appreciation by the attending Ethiopian Community audience.
Challenges and opportunities of the Amhara Region.
The current visiting delegation represents part of the leadership of the Amhara Region home to 20 Million people covering an area of 161,828.4 square kilometers. The Amhara Region covers about 15 % of the total current Ethiopian land mass, while the population accounts for 25.5% of the country. Nearly 88.6% of the population lives rural area, and are engaged in Agrarian Economic activities.
Some of the highlights of the past 17 years include: Economic growth at more than ten percent for over five years; 3000 hectares ready for floriculture; billions of dollars worth investment projects, increased electricity coverage in town and villages, improved clean water supply, primary education educational and health coverage with improving infrastructure such as roads, dams, bridges, communication network, rural and urban housing developments to meet the ever exploding population across the country. These and other rapidly expanding infrastructure development activities and improvements are not meeting the ever increasing demand to the ever expanding poulation . Hence, the need for improved public private partnerships with local and international partners such as the Diaspora and friends of Ethiopia across the world.
Short term and long term Federal and Regional strategies
The delegation shared the Ethiopian Government short term and long term strategies to address the challenges and opportunities over the past 17 years with a focus on the current developments focusing on local and regional challenges that stem from market insecurities, inflation, draught, impending famine, and associated security challenges around the border areas of Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea.
A series of highly organized national and regional reports were made by each delegate from their respective responsibilities in addressing some of the critical challenges of the country and the Amhara region and made an excellent power point presentation supported with quantitative and qualitative information about the progress and challenges facing the ETHIOPIAN people o and neighboring countries.
Current challenges and opportunities
The current inflation ,draught and security challenges has local, regional and international dimension as well as ecological and man made challenges and opportunities that need strategic partnerships with the local and international community. As such there are serious developments, progress as well as challenges evolving in the country and the region in the Horn. At present some 14 million people are in need of food security assistance in the whole Horn and East Africa. Ethiopia is no exception to this expanding global climate change and ecological challenges.
It was reported at the meeting from different perspectives that there is a well substantiated improvement in terms of short term and long term capacity building efforts in education, health, employment, construction, technology infrastructure that is laying down the foundation for future developments. However, the current immediate challenges of inflation, draught, and security challenges demand immediate attention that requires local, regional and international partners including the Diaspora and Friends of Ethiopians around the world.
The Amhara Region as “The Region of Great Potential!”
Several publications were distributed that shared the Amhara Regional potential for investment and development opportunities supported with highly organized qualitative and quantitative information that was also shared with PowerPoint presentations. The region was presented as an area of future growth and potential that reflects the natural and human resource potential that range from historical and natural resources such as rivers, lakes, fertile soil, rare wild animals, and investment opportunities in the agro-industry, hydro-electricity, fishery, floriculture, forestry and forest products, manufacturing, mining, energy, tourism, construction, social services, and general infrastructure development opportunities.
Investment promotions and value-added Incentives
The delegation shared with details the different investment opportunities in the country and the region by stating the legal framework and proclamations that guarantees private investment and ownership for legal transactions any where in the world. Additional investment incentives packages that include land as an incentive, tax holidays and other preferential banking and financing opportunities for large scale industrial and small scale enterprises were presented.
Some of the investment incentives include: provision of urban land free of charge, or with minimal fee based on lease system, and rural land on rental basis. Small royalty fee for fish processing projects, priority in servicing investment sites, and prompt investment service under “one-stop” investment service arrangements.
Manufacturing and processing opportunities.
The delegation shared with some detail the different industrial manufacturing, processing, packaging and marketing opportunities for Agricultural based products, leather and textile industries, pharmaceuticals, medical , biochemical, surgical equipment and orthopedic appliances, high tech metallurgy, electric and electronic technologies, agro-processing industries, etc.
Opportunities in Social Sectors
There are increasing opportunities for educational, health and social welfare projects and activities that include establishment of health centers, first and second level general hospitals, referral hospitals; educational institutions that range from kindergarten, elementary, junior and high schools as well as technical and vocational schools and colleges.
Promoting Forestry and Green Economy
The Amhara Region is endowed with natural resources that include investment opportunities of forest development is guaranteed rent free for 25 years. Investment in urban land can be transacted legally to a third party with the permission of the local authorities making it highly attractive for short and long term investors.
Highly interactive and positive experience
The meeting concluded after a series of highly interactive discussions supported by time for answers and questions and the delegation showed wisdom, intelligence and most importantly shared their vision and perspectives about the great opportunities in all parties of the country in Ethiopia today. There were discussions on how to engage the disengaged Diaspora and clear directions were given from all concerned that aggressive marketing about the positive opportunities is the role of all Diaspora and friends of Ethiopians. The local Embassy Staff and Ethiopian Community representatives who organized this highly interactive and disciplined positive meeting should be congratulated for their efforts and success.
Mobilizing the Diaspora and Friends of Ethiopians.
There was a general consensus that more should be done to attract creative talented Diaspora and Friends of Ethiopians to engage in a more proactive and interactive dialogue that markets the Great Opportunities and Potential that lies in this ancient and beautiful land, the Amhara Region and Ethiopia that offers another chance to celebrate a Unique Multicultural Millennium.
Time to Promote Ethiopia as a land of opportunity and potential
I found this meeting highly impressive, interactive and attractive. I could not help wondering why more of this is not taking place on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. After all such opportunities come once in a Millennium! The opportunities are so great and the publicity so little. Time to change and promote Ethiopia as a land of opportunity and potential.
Belai Habte-Jesus, MD, MPH
For the DC Ethiopian Community
Ethiopian Delegation Reception Committee
04 July 2008
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