Railway Corp Launches Construction Unit for Regional Road Project

Aug 25 , 2024


The financial issues of Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC) are expected to be addressed as it establishes a new construction business unit. This initiative will focus on the maintenance of a 60Km road stretch in Oromia Regional State, connecting the towns of Robe, Gasera, and Ginir in eastern Bale Zone. The Corporation has partnered with IDCON Infrastructure Development Consultant Plc for consulting services for the project, expected to be fully finished by the end of the fiscal year. To undertake this construction work, ERC has obtained a first-grade contractor license from the Ethiopian Construction Authority. It has secured the contract four months ago, valued at 249 million Br, from the Ethiopian Roads Administration. The Corporation has also secured licenses for design and consulting services related to building, bridge, and highway construction. ERC, which falls under the Public Enterprises & Holding Agency, has been wrestling with marked financial issues with its debts ballooning to 126pc of its capital. According to the statement, diversification of services is aimed at mitigating the financial pressures the corporation has faced in recent years. The establishment of the new construction unit is seen as a crucial step towards improving the Corporation's financial health and sustainability.


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...