2merkato

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn invited investors in East Africa to utilize suitable investment opportunities in Ethiopia. The premier extended the invitation during a discussion held in Nairobi with investor from East African countries.

Hailemariam invited investors to engage in priority sectors of of Ethiopia such as, manufacturing, textile, leather industry and horticulture. He said both the investors and the nation would benefit from investing in those sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen  invited more Chinese investment in Ethiopia while meeting with Chinese business persons in  Beijing.

The Deputy PM was in Beijing representing African Union (AU) Chairperson Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to be part of the 50th Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity/African Union,held in Beijing, China.

Ethiopia has been the number one foreign direct investment (FDI) recipient in East Africa, and the fourth largest FDI destination in Africa in 2019, the year's United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report revealed.

The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office issued 1500 separate patents and creative rights ownership certificates in the just concluded fiscal year it announced.

The office granted certificates after careful evaluation and all due consideration to ensure the originality of the creation both at home and internationally said Awkoke Shiferaw, Head of Communication Service with the office.

The office also took steps to publicize the ownership claim to public to entertain any counter claims to the creative rights of the creations before issuing final certification said Awkoke.

The National Bank of Ethiopia has issued the directive allowing banks and micro-finance institutions to offer transaction based mobile and agent banking services. The directive has come into effect as of the 1st of January.

Mobile banking services include deposits and withdrawals through electronic means as well as facilitating payment and money transfer.

The directive has been anticipated by banks such as Berhan, United and Zemen who have had acquired the capacity to offer e-services but have been unable to do so because awaiting the proper regulatory framework from the central bank.