Benishangul Gumuz Requires 75b Br in Conflict Recovery

Apr 15 , 2023


Severe challenges plague the health sector of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State as the social development, culture & sports affairs Standing Committee reported to Parliament after doing a field study. Getahun Abdisa, the vice president of the regional state remarked that as much as 75 billion Br would be required to help the region fully recover from the impacts of sporadic conflicts over the last four years. Shortage of funding that takes into account the widespread systemic damage that the regional state has experienced was remarked on by the vice speaker of the regional state's parliament Alemenesh Yibas. A general appeal for special attention to the regional state was shared by all representatives from Beninshangul Gumuz. Severe logistic hurdles arising from the presence of armed groups on the road to the regional state have also inflated costs of goods much higher than the national average. A litre of petrol has been selling for nearly twice the national rate at 120 Br. Drivers being forced to take longer routes to avoid engagement with these armed groups has compounded costs to unprecedented levels. Higher officials within the regional state also indicated that conflict has disturbed the population distribution of the region with some districts being completely abandoned.


Radar

Ethiopia Revives WTO Ambitions After Five-Year Stall

Ethiopia's trade delegation led by Kassahun Gofe (PhD), a chief negotiator in the WTO accession talks, is reviving a long-stalled effort to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), signalling renewed ambition following a five-year hiatus. He travelled last week to Geneva, Switzerland, where the WTO is headquartered, to conclude negotiations for membership by March next year. If successful, Ethiopia's accession to the world's trade body will be timed, with the 14th ministerial conference set t...


Radar

First Digital Insurance, Loan Services Launched

A new digital insurance and loan service platform christened 'Agar' - translated as a partner - has debuted in the market, marking a notable entry into the financial sector. The initiative, a collaboration among Global Bank Ethiopia, Lucy Insurance, and Kacha Digital Financial Services, pledged to transform access to insurance and credit for various user groups, including insurance policy buyers, taxi drivers, and salaried employees. For Abraham Tilahun, CEO of Kacha Digital Financial Service...


Radar

City Forms Task Force to Regulate Informal Street Vendors

A new task force under the city administration will enforce new regulations designed to restore order on the streets of Addis Abeba and address concerns over cleanliness and public safety. The task force has been established to enforce regulations imposed on informal street vendors. The city's Trade Bureau launched the initiative to address the increasing informal trading, which city officials say has been "disruptive to the established trade system." The task force is headed by Deputy Mayor...