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The Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute introduced new hybrid highland maize varieties to the farmers in Hosaena, Hadiya Zone.

Kassa Yihun, Researcher and Coordinator of the Highland Maize Project at Ambo Plant Protection Research Center, said the latest highland maize varieties are different from the previous maize varieties the farmers used.

The Association for Women in Business (AWiB) announced its nominees for the annual Women of Excellence Award, Capital reported.

At a press conference held at Kenenissa Hotel on Thursday, AWiB announced its finalists: Sister Tibebe Maco, Founder and Director of Hiwot Integrated Development Association, Melika Bedri, VP of Information Systems of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Mulu Haile, Founder and Executive Director of Mission for Community Development Program, Sara Mohammed, Owner and Managing Director of Next Design College and Next Modeling School and Yetneberesh Nigussie, Founder and Executive Director of Ethiopian Center for Disability Development.

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, is pleased to announce that it will extend its wings to Singapore as of 3 December 2013 with scheduled three weekly flights.

The new flights to Singapore will be operated with Ethiopian Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 24 seats in Ethiopian Cloud Nine Business Class and 211 seats in Economy class.

A round table of public partnership in developing commercialization of appropriate technologies was held at Sheraton Addis on October 22, 2013.

The event was organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) and with the assistance of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).

Geological Survey of Ethiopia (GSE) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agreed to draw a project on the development of Geothermal Energy Master Plan, following the agreement signed between JICA and the Ethiopian government in April 2013.

The project will conduct potential analysis in 18 sites, Ethiopian Herald reported.

The Ethiopian Sugar Corporation said, expansion projects carried out on existing sugar factories during the previous fiscal year has enabled the country to meet the local demand for sugar.

Zemedkun Tekle, corporate communication director with the Corporation, told Ethiopian News Agency on Friday that, the expansion has been undertaken in Wonji Shoa, Fincha, Metehara and Tendaho sugar factories.

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.