Ministry Eyes Infrastructure, Data Tracking

May 25 , 2024


[ssba-buttons]

  As the government propels towards a tourism-led economy, infrastructure development to destinations and a system to track the sector's contribution to GDP were identified as points of improvement, during a nine-month report by the Ministry of Tourism. The Standing Committee on Tourism & Trade, chaired by Asha Yahya, raised inquiries while State Minister Selsehi Girma acknowledged shortcomings in infrastructure, particularly telecommunications, roads, and airports. He said integration with the Ministry of Transport and the Ethiopian Roads Administration is vital to improve road networks in popular tourist areas. Minister Nassise Chali said that the tourism satellite account under construction will provide accurate data on employment generation, economic opportunities, tourist numbers, and contribution to GDP. She emphasised the Ministry's efforts to develop a skilled workforce with curriculums, manuals, and training modules in  place. The sector, recovering from the pandemic and civil war is reported to have generated 3.2 billion dollars and 48 billion Br in revenue from foreign and local tourists during the past nine months. However, the Minister also acknowledged challenges related to park management, including illegal hunting, farming, and development projects, threaten wildlife populations. She proposed the eco-tourism approach will foster a sense of ownership and encourage local participation.


Radar

Bank of Abyssinia Signs Partnership with Droga Cooperative

Bank of Abyssinia has entered into a partnership agreement with Droga Health & Financial Savings and Credit Cooperative to provide financial support and services for its members. The agreement was signed yesterday at the Bank's headquarters. The deal aims to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions, enabling cooperative members to access tailored banking services. It was signed by Wosenyeleh Abera, Deputy CEO for Customer Relations and Marketing at the bank, and Zelalem Yilma...


Radar

Wegagen Introduces Real Time SWIFT Tracking

Wegagen Bank has launched a new mobile app feature enabling customers to track international SWIFT payments in real time. The bank is the first in Ethiopia to introduce an online SWIFT payment tracking system. By integrating SWIFT Global Payment Innovation, customers, particularly those involved in import-export trade, can monitor cross-border transactions using a Unique End-to-End Transaction Reference (UETR) directly from their smartphones. To use the service, customers select the SWIFT...


Radar

National ID, Zambia Partners to Expands Program Reach

The National ID Program has signed an agreement with Zambia's counterpart to provide consulting services for the development of software that will issue digital IDs. It is the first time the institution has extended its expertise beyond national borders, a sign of growing recognition for its rapid progress. Program officials described the partnership as a milestone in their effort to position themselves as a regional player in digital transformation. The collaboration is expected to center...