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The Ethiopian Embassy in India has announced that it is to launch a Cultural and Tourism Center to introduce African culture to Indians in November 2012. It is expected that center is to be the first of its kind in India.

The center is to be an indispensable element to promoting African values and Ethiopian culture in particular according to Metasebia Tadesse, Counselor for Political, Public Relations, Public Diplomacy.

The cultural center built to promote Ethiopian culture will also be used to organize various African get together including for scholars and diplomatic delegates congregating for various purposes he said.

The Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) said it would be launching its first Earth Observation satellite in December 2019. The satellite is aimed to help in monitoring of water, agriculture, climate, environment, and mining.

The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) has announced the upcoming launch of a national e-commerce platform aimed at modernizing Ethiopia’s trade operations and enhancing regional integration.

Ethiopia is to introduce a new health insurance program ratified by the House of People’s Representatives last summer. The new program will include organizations which already provide health insurance for their employees.

Permanent employees of private, governmental and non governmental organizations will contribute 3% of their salary to take part in the new health insurance program. Although organizations will be allowed the option to provide another type of health insurance they will have to participate in the program unless they have less than ten employees.

The health insurance program will be effective across the country will include coverage for families as well.

The Ministry of Water Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE) said Ethiopia is to launch new rural electrification program as part of Climate Resilient Green Economy plans.