Ethio Telecom Pours 100m Br into Emergency Fund

Ethio telecom, the state telecom monopoly, has donated 100 million Br to support the fight to contain the potential spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).


Ethio Telecom Pours 100m Br into Emergency Fund

Ethio telecom, the state telecom monopoly, has donated 100 million Br to support the fight to contain the potential spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Since March 25, 2020, the company has collected 4.4 million Br donated via short message system locally and abroad. Ethio telecom, which provides more than 20 different services under the stewardship of CEO Frehiwot Tamiru, has also temporarily cut service fees as of last week. By taking into account the increased demand for the internet at the national level following the pandemic, the company launched a two-month stay-at-home mobile service, according to a statement from the company. It made a 53pc, 56pc and 45pc tariff reduction on voice, internet and voice/internet combined packages, respectively. The discount became effective as of April 16, 2020. The company, which has launched an LTE Advanced Fourth-Generation (4G) network upgrade that delivers higher internet speeds, has also allowed users to visit the websites of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and the Ministry of Health free of charge.


Radar

Horn Initiative Boosts Regional Development Agenda

A total of 20 projects worth three billion dollars are currently being implemented in Ethiopia under the Horn of Africa Initiative, which held a performance review platform last week. This initiative, established in 2019, seeks to economically integrate Horn of Africa countries through development projects. Finance Minister Ahmed Shide accentuated the initiative's goals of enhancing infrastructure connectivity, strengthening trade and economic integration, building resilience to natural and man...


Radar

Budget Woes Plague Region

The Amhara Regional State's six-month performance review revealed substantial budget shortfalls, achieving only 28.27pc of its targeted revenue. Chief Administrator Arega Kebede reported to the regional council that of the planned 71.65 billion Br for the current fiscal year, only 20.26 billion Br was collected. Despite this, revenue did see a year-on-year increase of four billion Birr. The regional state's tax-to-GDP ratio stands at a low 2.82pc, far below the national average of 7.05pc. Arega...


Radar

Modern Farming Boosted with New Centre of Excellence

The Agricultural Mechanization Centre of Excellence, built in the Qaliti area with collaboration from South Korea was inaugurated last week. The centre was constructed in seven months at a project cost of 14.7 million dollars funded by the South Korean government. It is expected to serve as a hub for inspecting, controlling, researching, and repairing agricultural mechanization machinery while also providing vocational training to develop skilled personnel in the field. Minister of Agricultur...