United Bank Cuts Loan Interest Rate by 25pc

May 9 , 2020


United Bank has cut lending interest rates by 25pc for severely affected sectors including floriculture and hotel and tour operators due to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective May 16, 2020. The slashed interest rate is in addition to the previously announced letters of credit (LC) and Cash Against Document (CAD) period extension fee reduction, loan restructuring and deferment of payments for affected sectors. The interest rate reduction will remain active for three months. Other sectors will also be entitled to a five percent interest rate reduction during this three-month period except for those that are already offered preferential rates. While offering these five percent and 25pc interest rate reductions, the Bank will forgo about 50 million Br in interest income during the coming three months. United Bank has pitched in five million Br to the Ministry of Health to buttress the fight against the pandemic.


Radar

Union Urges Meeting with Premier Over Living Cost

Rising living costs that reduce the purchasing power of stagnant workers' wages prompted leaders of the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) to urge a meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). Flanked by Minster of Justice Gedion Timotheos, Abiy met with senior members of the Union last year to discuss issues related to freedom of associations, collective bargaining and the imminent challenge of inflation to the workforce. However, Kasahun Follo, head of the Union, said reduced...


Radar

Customs Chief Accuses Critics of Bias, Vows to Address Steel Imports

Steel manufacturers' struggles and the impact of duty-free imports on domestic production have caught the attention of parliamentarians. During the Customs Commission's presentation of its nine-month performance, an MP directed a question to Commissioner Debele Kabeta, seeking clarification on the measures being taken by his institution to mitigate the influx of imports that are negatively affecting local manufacturers. While the source remains elusive, over 56 million Br worth of contrab...


Radar

Tech Tools Offer Digital Lifeline to Refugees

A digital platform that aims to connect skilled refugees and potential employers within the host communities was launched in a partnership between the UNHCR and Gebeya Inc. The project has onboarded 300 refugees into the system since its inception five months ago and hopes to reach 2,000 individuals across Gebeya's system soon. Ethiopia is currently the third largest refugee and asylum seeker hosting country in Africa, with close to one million individuals. The country also has an additional...


Back
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email