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The Ethiopian Geological Survey is set to enhance the country’s geological mapping coverage to 80 percent by 2015. Tolossa Shagi Moti, State Minister of Mines,said at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting, held on 5 July 2013 at the Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Under the five year Growth and Transformation Plan, the Ethiopian Geological Survey will increase the
coverages of gravity survey, hydro-geological mapping and engineering geology.

Guangdong Chuanhui Group, a private Chinese developer has announced plan to build  Africa’s tallest building by 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  The site for the Chuanhui International Tower, 99-story office-hotel tower, is around the Addis Ababa Exhibition Center. The developer says it has acquired the 41,000 sq meter lot and the building plans have been approved. Add a comment Add a comment

The Ethiopian House of Peoples Representatives has approved the US$300 million credit line credit extended from the Indian EXIM Bank in June for the construction of the Asaita-Tadjourah segment of the Mekelle-Tadjourah railway. Add a comment Add a comment

The Ethiopian National Standards Council has approved 1,097 standards for a range of sectors of the economy.

At a press conference held on June 28, the Ethiopian Standards Agency announced that out of the 1,097 standards approved, 268 are new standards, while 829 are revised versions of existing standards. Add a comment Add a comment

More than 550 foreign and domestic investors with over 8.5 billion Birr combined capital are undertaking various projects in North Shoa Zone, Amhara Regional State in Ethiopia during the current Ethiopian fiscal year, the zonal industry and urban development department said.

Department Head, Dawit Yeshitila told Ethiopian News Agency, the projects include, agro-industry, construction, metal work, hotel and tourism. Add a comment Add a comment

Ethiopian government has dropped plan to tax dividends which remain undistributed to shareholders. Tax on dividends should only be paid after part of the net earnings are paid to shareholders, Sufian Ahmed, Minister of Finance & Economic Development, said reassuring the business community attending the annual Public-Private Dialog, held at the UNECA, on Thursday, June 27, 2013.

Ethiopia's United Bank awarded a contract to the Lebanese-based Computer Business Machine (CBM), for the supply of 50 Automated Teller Machines (ATM), two weeks ago.

Both CBM and United have refused to disclose the price at which CBM is offering to supply the machines, due to a confidentiality agreement.

The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) is planing to deploy radar for Area Navigation Surveillance which improves safety and increase the Airport's efficiency.

The system is expected to be operational within six months, according to Bizuayehu Assefa, Director for Air Traffic Service with the Authority. Add a comment Add a comment

Saudi Cargo has announced plans to start transporting meat from Ethiopia to Europe by the end of 2013. It has selected five Ethiopian exporters; Hashim Nuru Slaughter, Luna Expert Slaughter House, Modjo Modern Export, Elfora Agro Industry and Export and Organic Abattoir Slaughter for the operation.

The companies already have a business relation with Saudi Cargo and are selected  for their performance in exporting meat to Saudi Arabia, according to Kassahun Kenna,  Cargo Sales Manager with Saudi Cargo. Add a comment Add a comment

Ethiopia's Berhan International Bank has joined Premium Switch Solutions (PSS), with the acquisition of 4.8 million Ethiopian birr worth of shares.

Berhan Bank was officially welcomed into the partnership at a ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, on Thursday, June 27, 2013. Berhan can now access a network of 60 ATM machines owned by PSS and leased to the three original founding banks. It will also have access to the services of the 200 ATMs that are expected to be procured by Awash, Nib and United banks in the coming year.