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The Ethiopian Ministry of Transport explained to members of the House of Peoples Representatives that it is committed to protecting some of the national market for the national flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines.

The ministry is particularly aware of the threat from carriers based in the oil rich countries of the gulf which have an unfair competitive edge due to their cheaper air fare explained Diriba Kuma, Minister of Transport.

These airlines have an unfair advantage because they have better access to fuel which has become a significant challenge for Ethiopian according to Diriba.

The Ethiopian government is to exert pressure on mining companies following the dropping of gold’s price in the international market. The government is planning to force both local and international companies that are engaged in exploring gold to start production.

The Ethiopian Privatization and Public Enterprises Supervising Agency is to put six publicly owned enterprises as part of its aim to raise 1 billion birr this financial year by privatizing state owned enterprises to private investors.

The six companies being put up for privatization are the Arbagugu Coffee Plantation, Awash Wine Share Co, Bilito Siraro, Commercial Printing Enterprise, Construction Works and Coffee Technology Development Enterprise, and Hamaressa Edible Oil Share Co according to Wondafrash Assefa, Spokesman for the PPESA.

Investors can bid for the six companies until the 20th of December he noted. The plan is to privatize all publicly owned enterprises except those regarded to be strategic he said.

Ethiopia expects to increase its Eurobond up to USD 2 billion via a ten-year Eurobond by the end of this year, Elias Loha, senior National Bank advisor said on October 21, 2015.

The House of People’s Representatives (HPR) is going to ratify the revised draft proclamation on overseas employment in two weeks time, Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) reported.