Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) held elections upon which new people were elected to join the leadership. It was Melaku Ezezew (Eng.), president of Amhara Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, that managed to secure 87 vote, enabling him to lead ECCSA for the coming 2 years.
Other nominees that run for the post were Feysa Ararsa, the outgoing board member of ECCSA and founder of Harambe University College, Fasil Tadesse, President of Textile and Garment Manufacturing Association. The later 2 managed to secure 75 votes and 8 votes respectively.
On the other hand, SNNP Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations planned to nominate the outgoing president, Solomon Afework. Nevertheless, he refused to run for another term despite having the right to run for one last time.
It was only Assefa Gebresilase, who represent the Tigray Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, that run for the vice president position enabling him to secure the position with no competition.
Regarding the board as well there are 8 new entrants namely; Semit Solomon, Amhara chamber, Dr Aynalem Beyene, Addis Ababa chamber, Abebayehu Girma, Eyasu Mosisa, Teshale Fisehatsion, Tigrai chamber, Tadesse Genna, Oromia chamber, Dr Hasen Abdulahi, National Sectoral Association, and Engeda Beyene, SNNP chamber. The only person who stayed in the board is Ashenafi Feleke, from SNNP chamber.
Addressing the representatives of ECCSA to secure their vote, Melaku said, “I have a plan to boost the private sector activity since I have experience in the business in the city and regional level”. He added, “Currently I am working on real estate development, driving training center and transport business at Gonder”.
The new president is 39 years old and studied Electrical Engineering and Business Administration in Project Management at Addis Ababa University for his under graduate and graduate studies respectively. He has been working for the past 17 years in different businesses such as computer maintenance, training and sales, printing press, merchandise business and construction machinery renting.
According to Melaku, he intends to work on state and city chambers to elevate them to the standard of national chamber. The industry sector was another point he would focus on, the new president added.
“We have to clear the chamber from any dispute and disagreement observed in the past,” Melaku urged.
The outgoing presdnet on his part noted he was glad to run for another term and that his decision would give space for other fresh forces to lead the private sector association. “There are a lot of things that we started during our term, so if the current board want our support we are ready,” he added.
Source: Capital
