ADDIS ABABA – The United States is deeply inspired by Ethiopian Government’s reform agenda, which has already made massive gains in broadening Ethiopia’s political space and economic opportunities, noted U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Michael Raynor.
Speaking at Launch of the ‘Advancing Economic Diversification in Ethiopia’ Project, the Ambassador said the reforms underway will continue to advance and ensure the durable cohesion and stability of the country as well.
According to him, re-setting an economy of Ethiopia’s size and complexity is far from easy work. But Ethiopia has much strength to build upon. “First and foremost, it has an exceptionally accomplished team of economic leaders and experts to drive this transformation, under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed,” he reiterated.
In addition, Ethiopia’s economic policies in recent years have resulted in important infrastructure investments, including roads, universities, health care facilities, and manufacturing parks. And Ethiopia’s stunning gains in education at all levels, notably in higher education with a particular focus on science and technology have built an exceptionally strong labor pool, he added.
At the same time, the Ambassador noted, some of these gains were made at the cost of incurring significant external debt, and without commensurate progress in job-creation or private sector investment. “Today, Ethiopia’s reform agenda promises to build upon its past achievements while addressing its structural challenges, to catalyze private sector-led economic growth in the days ahead.”
Sponsored by USAID, this initiative, called “Advancing Economic Diversification in Ethiopia,” is facilitated by Harvard University’s Center for International Development, which have an extraordinary record throughout the world of supporting countries’ efforts to identify promising areas of economic growth, to highlight constraints to such growth, and to devise strategies to address both the opportunities and the challenges.
The program here in Ethiopia is a sustained, three-year commitment by USAID, Harvard University’s Center for International Development, and the Government of Ethiopia in support of Ethiopia’s economic reform agenda.
The Ethiopian Herald, August 28/2019
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
