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The 11th Innovation Africa Digital Summit opens yesterday March 19, 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This years event has drawn participants from diverse fields including, ministers, policy makers, regulators, service providers, end users, finance companies and international agencies, among others.

The Summit is convened to discuss the need to create sustainable national and international growth and development of the African Telecoms and information communication technology ecosystem.The theme of the summit is “National Broadband Strategies and Agendas: Acceleration and Alignment”.

The government of China is to support Africa to utilize its rich bamboo resource, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia said on the Africa Bamboo workshop held on Friday 15 March and organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) to discuss bamboo development in the continent.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Ambassador Xie Xiaoyan said that the Chinese government will provide continued assistance to Africa in the development of its bamboo industry in many aspects. Add a comment Add a comment

The Twins PLC, an Ethiopian Company announced plan to establish a paper products factory with 60 million birr capital. The Company's Managing Director, Lemma Habtemariam told ENA that the factory will create jobs for a number of citizens. The Company, established three years ago with 10 million Birr capital, has created jobs for some 40 citizens at present.

Alliance Transport Services S.C is to start providing commuter bus service in the City of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The company is awaiting permits from the City's road transport bureau.

Alliance Transport was established in 2009, the company now has 2,1100 shareholders and a 35 million birr paid-up capital. Alliance has purchased 25 buses at a cost of 36 million birr. The purchase is partially financed by Dashen Bank through loan arrangement, according to according to Adil Abdela, chairperson of Alliance’s board of directors. The Chinese  manufacturer, Xiamen King Long Automotive Industry, delivered the buses two months ago.

Precise Consult International PLC and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Ethiopia will host “The CEOs Breakfast” forum on March 28th 2013 at the Sheraton Addis Hotel.

The quarterly event brings top business leaders to venue drawn from companies, government officials, donors, and international agencies and other business leader to discuss business issues in Ethiopia. Add a comment Add a comment

The Alliance of Women Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), Ethiopian Chapter was officially launched on March 12,  with a ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

The Chapter's stated mission is empowering women entrepreneurs and helping them connect to the international market. Although officially inaugurated this week in Ethiopia, Alliance of Women Entrepreneurship Program has been in existence since 2006, informally known as the Women Entrepreneurs Group (WEG). Add a comment Add a comment

Ghion Hotels Enterprise will again be offered for another round of sale by the Ethiopian Privatization and Public Enterprises Supervising Agency (PPESA),as previous bid failed to attract buyers.

The Privatization Agency is hopeful the bid will attract potential byers as it has adjusted the floor price of the property, previously set at USD 150 million.

Samsung, a South Korean multinational technology company, has completed agreement with the Ethiopian government to establish a laptop and printer assembly plant in Ethiopia in a few months time.

During the Fourth International Samsung Conference, which saw more than 2000 participants, Samsung Electronics East Africa's Chief Operating Officer, Robert Ngeru, told journalists on March 13 in Cape Town, South Africa, Samsung has finalized agreements with Ethiopian, Kenyan and Sudanese governments to set up assembly plants in the three east African countries.

The Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority (AAWSA) is undertaking expansion at a cost of 580 million birr to raise drinking water supply of the metropolis.

Project Development and Promotion Office Manager with AAWSA, Engineer Seyoum Berhanu, said the expansion is underway at Legedadi water treatment plant and Dire dam.

According to him, the expansion will increase the water supply capacity of Legedadi to 195,000 cubic meters per day from the existing 165,000 cubic meters. The ongoing expansion would help to improve water supply at the northern and north-east part of the city, he said.

AAWSA sheduled to finalize the expansion of Dire dam with in 16 months and Legedadi within 24 months, he said.

Source: Walta

Ethiopia is registering promising results by implementing Kaizen in 40 medium and high scale industries and businesses over the past eight months.

Professionals and experts drawn from several African countries are in Ethiopia to share best practices.

Speaking on the occasion, Ethiopian Industry Minister, Mekonnen Manyazewal said the Kaizen leadership philosophy is facilitating the nation’s endeavor to transform itself to an industry-led economy.

According to ERTA, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the occasion vowed to strengthen technical support in the efforts to apply the Kaizen leadership philosophy for Africa’s development.

Source: Walta