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The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association held its General Assembly meeting at the Hilton Hotel. The meeting focused on discussing the by the successful transformation process undertaken by the Chamber.

The General Assembly meeting which was attended by representatives of the city’s business community was opened by  Kuma Demeksa, mayor of Addis Ababa.

The city chamber of commerce has now devised a five year plan to offer a wide range of services to the whole business community according to Ayalew Zegeye, president of the AACCA. The implementation of this plan is already underway, he added.

A Delegation of French business paid a two day visit to Ethiopia. The delegates represented firms interested in involving in the country’s transport and power sector.  

The delegation consisted of fifteen companies representing several sub-sectors including machinery and equipment, urban development,  Infrastructure, energy, transportation and logistics, engineering, high technology, services to government and international trade, insurance and law firms.

The business delegation met with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn,and held in depth discussions on the development policies and strategies adopted by the country.

Westin Hotels and Resorts is currently negotiating with MIDROC Ethiopia to manage the new African Union Grand Hotel. The hotel is currently under construction in the compound of the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

Westin is in the final stages of discussions as part of the process of taking over the management of the new grand Hotel being built by MIDROC. The Hotel is expected to launch operations staring from 2013. The opening of the Hotel is intended to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the African Union, it was said.   

International firms are showing interest in the possibility of a contract to take over the management of the Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise according to sources.

Dubai based, DP World, is said to be one of the companies who have expressed interest in running the Ethiopian enterprise. French logistics company Bolloré Africa Logistics is also known to have held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Diriba Kuma, State Minister for transport this week.

Bolloré Africa is aware of the multifaceted problems that the enterprise is encountering in meeting the demands of the Ethiopian import and export sector efficiently said Jason Reynard, East African Manager for the company speaking to Diriba.