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The tax authority in Ethiopia, expects to generate increased revenue in the coming years in spite of challenges said Tedla Mitiku,Tax Payers Education Team Coordinator with the authority.

Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority faced challenges including illegal trade, contraband and lack of awareness amongst the tax payers, he said.

ERCA is working with a range of bodies to lower the incidence of tax fraud and illegal trade practices to set in place a viable tax system according to Tedla.

The Addis Ababa, Ethiopia City Bus Services Enterprise (Anbessa) launched one birr trips during peak hours as of last week.

The one birr trips will be operational from 6-9 am in the mornings and 4-9pm in the evenings. The enterprise has introduced a trial run on a range of route numbers including of 4, 22, 28, 36, 37, 49, 54, 59, 77 and 93.

As per the new arrangement, for example, the number four buses travelling between Kaliti and Merkato will finish their journey at the Saris bus stop at peak hours to shorten the time passengers from Kaliti have to wait between buses explained Bekele Getaneh, Head of the Communications Affairs Sub Process with Anbessa.

Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia’s flag carrier, has delayed its plans to offer cargo forwarding services to the horticulture sector.

The delay, expected to last at least up to April followed complaints by exporters at the higher rates being proposed by the airline taking over from the current operators.

The Airline proposed to charge growers 1.82 US dollars for every kilo which was higher then the 1.72 US dollars previously being charged by the Ethio-Horticultre Cooperative offering forwarding services in the past according to sources.

The Ministry of Agriculture in Ethiopia is to build silos in 11 drought prone areas to enhance the nation’s food reserves.

The ministry currently operates 7 silos across the country with the total increasing to 18 once the new silos are completed.

MoA has finalized the feasibility study, site identification, and soil study to launch construction on the silos according to information from the ministry.