2merkato

Ethiopia has agreed to liberalize 90 percent of its tariff for members the of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

The National Bank of Ethiopia has issued a new directive that clears the path for e-payment options, effective 1st April 2020. The Bank said the directive is “important” to promote the safety and efficiency of the payment system.

A new study proposed that the 10 percent excise tax imposed on imported textile products be lifted.

The study also suggested that separate taxes be imposed on finished and partially finished textile products replacing the indiscriminate 35 percent tax.

The proposal was made following a study by the association of textile producers in collaboration with concerned government bodies.

Results of the study indicated that the association and the government had reached a common understanding that it was not right that all kinds of textile products should be taxed uniformly, Sleshi Lemma, director general of the Institute of Textile Industry, said.  

The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration revealed that the African Trade Ministerial Council has accepted Ethiopia's proposal to trade 5,700 goods, constituting 90% of products, within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Redwan Hussein, Head of Government Communication Affairs Office (GCAO), disclosed the Ethiopian government will not make a significant devaluation to birr against the major currencies.