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Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia’s flag carrier, is to acquire four Boeing 787 Dreamliner Jetliners, two Boeing 777 freighters, four Boeing 737-800 and Five Bombardier Q400 aircraft by the end of this year according to Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer of the airline.

Ethiopian had put in an order for ten Dreamliner aircraft at a total cost of 1.5 billion US dollars in 2005 with delivery expected in 200-2010. After several delays Boeing has now confirmed that the first two Dreamliner aircraft will be delivered in July or August of this year although the exact date has not been decided said Tewolde. 

The Bole International airport, Ethiopia Revenue and Customs Authority lost an estimated 30 million birr in revenue to fiber optics network failure that lasted for two days last week.

The optical fiber network failed for the second time in 50 days due to alleged damages to the lines around the Bole Michael area according to sources.

A similar problem that occurred at the beginning of the month of February had shut down the Customs office for three days resulting in an estimated loss of 40-50 million birr in revenue.

Norwegian company, MEC AS, Magnetic Emission Control, engaged in emissions reduction and fuel efficiency technology, signed a dealer contract with QOPH Engineering Enterprise in Ethiopia.

The agreement establishes that QOPH will engage in long haul tracking concerns, construction equipment, transport and earth moving.

The deal is part of MEC plans to expand into the Middle Eastern and African Region according to Bjorn Skjervold, Chief Exceutive Officer of MEC.

A delegation of British business people held talks with representatives of Ethiopia’s business sector to explore opportunities for commerce in both countries.

The delegation, made up of 10 representatives from London met with more than 30 Ethiopian business representatives.

The discussions held with the delegation from the UK will promote the flow of information, enhance knowledge development, promote the transfer of skills and technology and strengthen confidence for bargaining as well as removing barriers against business interaction according to Teferi Asfaw, Deputy Secretary General of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations.