Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) appointed Hiwot Mosisa, state minister for Transport, to head the state-owned Metals & Engineering Corporation (MetEC). Hiwot replaces Ahmed Hamza (Brig. Gen.), who was switched to lead the Defence Engineering Industry Corporation. Last month the regulation that was approved by the Council of Ministers split MetEC into two parts - commercial and defence. The commercial wing will engage with the manufacture of tractors, trucks, buses, television sets, energy meters, turbines, construction machinery and engines among many other products. While the military one will be tasked with producing armoured vehicles, personnel carriers, assault vehicles, ambulances and command and surveillance vehicles MetEC was established a decade ago at the initiative of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to be a major tool for industrialisation with the aim of transforming Ethiopia into a middle-income country. It had registered 10 billion Br in capital and incorporated 15 military and civilian industries with 98 subsidiary companies. Their appointment is effective as of March 10, 2020.