2merkato

China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC), the company contracted for the Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Project, has began laying overpass bridges, Walta Information Center reported.

Construction of the 34 km electric light rail project includes six overpass bridges in various sections and an underground tunnel on the north end.

Ethiopia's public notary, Documents Authentication & Registration Office (DARO) signed an agreement with DQS Management Service PLC –a management systems and certification company on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, Fortune reported.

The DARO is aiming to qualify for ISO 9001 2008 Quality Management System, a certification focusing on service providing institutions.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Mines is planning to draft a law to provide incentives for traditional gold artisans in various parts of the country in an effort to increase exports, Capital reported.

Sinkinesh Ejigu, Minister of Mines, told Capital that the planned law is at its early stage and will be submitted to Parliament after the second quarter of the current fiscal year.

The Anbessa City Bus Enterprise is to launch a new service targeting commuters currently using taxis.

The new bus service which is scheduled to commence in March or April 2014 using 50 new buses with redesigned interior, is said to have an adjusted fare and improved service, including limited number of passengers in order to maintain the comfort of passengers.

The Addis Ababa city's Beautification, Park & Cemetery Development & Administration Agency announced that 95pc of the construction of a 12,000sqm public park in Lideta district, has been completed, Fortune reported.

The park which is designed by K2N Architecture & Engineering Consultancy PLC and constructed by Koracon Construction, will cost a total of 26 million Ethiopian birr. The project is fully-funded by the Addis Abeba City Administration.

The Ethiopian Shipping Lines & Logistics Service Enterprise’s (ESLSE) and the Ethiopian Petroleum Enterprise (EPE) are expected to conclude an agreement for the transport of petroleum in early 2014.

The ESLSE's will transport petroleum through its newly squired two oil tankers. This comes after a year of carrying other goods, pending a deal to be concluded with the EPE, according to Fortune.

The National Bank of Ethiopia is considering amendment to its "Mobile and Agent Banking Services" directive enacted in January 2013, Fortune reported.

The directive opened the door for banks and micro-finance institutions to provide transaction-based mobile and agent banking services.

(In paragraph 1, corrects German Development Bank (KfW), not GIZ is partnering with the MoUDC)

The Ethiopian Ministry of Urban Development & Construction (MoUDC) and the German Development Bank (KfW) announced a business plan competition focusing on solving urban problems, Fortune reported.

The registration of applicants for the first round will be conducted from October 11, 2013 to November 10, 2013.

The Amhara Saving and Credit Enterprise said it is working to disburse over 5.8 billion Ethiopian birr loan to beneficiaries during the current Ethiopian Fiscal Year.

Ayalneh Mihiretu, Public relation head with the Enterprise, told Ethiopian News Agency on Wednesday, the Enterprise will disburse the money to over 801,350 beneficiaries.

The Addis Ababa Education Bureau said it will connect all secondary schools in the city with Schoolnet program in the current academic year.

Bureau Head, Delamo Otore, told Walta Information Center that some 2,500 PCs have already been procured at a cost of 23 million Ethiopian birr to connect the schools.