Ministry Loses Case to Solar Panel Supplier

Feb 15 , 2020


The Federal High Court ordered the Ministry of Trade & Industry to pay half a million Birr to Vera International Business Plc, a local solar equipment importer. The two parties were in a battle for over two years after Vera took the case to the Court, claiming 1.6 million Br in compensation from the Ministry. Vera claimed that it was subjected to 110 days of warehouse rent after the Ministry refused to give it a clearance for the 12,710Kg of solar panels it imported with a duty-free privilege. The Ministry refused the clearance stating that the product did not have a pre-shipment inspection certificate, stating that the items should be inspected before being distributed in the community. After reviewing the case, the High Court passed its ruling on January 1, 2020, against the Ministry. The Court ordered the Ministry to pay compensation to Vera for rent it paid for 32 days along with nine percent interest and judgment and lawyer service fees.


Radar

With New Tariffs, Trump Upends Decades-Old Ethiopia Trade Preferences

The Trump Administration has unexpectedly included Ethiopia in the list of countries subjected to new trade measures, imposing a 10pc levy on Ethiopian imports into the United States while granting a reciprocal 10pc tariff on American goods headed to Ethiopia. The move marks an unanticipated shift in Washington's approach to Addis Abeba, which for years benefited from duty-free access under the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA). The tariff-free provisions had propelled apparel expor...


Radar

Unilever Ethiopia Eyes Triple Sales Under New Executive

Unilever Ethiopia plans to triple its annual sales within the next five years, aiming to reach 200 million euros. The growth push is led by 42-year-old Nesibu Temesgen, who took the top job this month, as the first Ethiopian national to claim the top executive position in the company. Unilever, a multinational company operating in more than 190 countries, established its Ethiopian presence in 2014. From its base in the Eastern Industrial Zone near the town of Modjo, the firm produces recognis...


Radar

EU Grants Ethiopia a 240 Euro to Support Key Sectors

Financial Assistance Targeted at Agribusiness, Digital Expansion, and Democratic Institutions The European Union (EU) has agreed to provide Ethiopia with a grant of €240 million to support development initiatives across key sectors. This financial assistance will primarily bolster projects in agribusiness, enhance digital competencies, and strengthen democratic institutions. Furthermore, the agreement will support public administration and facilitate efforts to promote stability and reco...