It is still fresh global news that Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed became the first Ethiopian to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
He is the winner of the 100th Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo for his efforts to “achieve peace and international cooperation.” He is particularly praised for initiating and playing a key role in the peace deal between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
“It is a prize given to Africa, given to Ethiopia and I can imagine how the rest of Africa’s leaders will take it positively to work on peace-building process on our continent,” the PM said.
Scholars agreed that the Abiy’s Nobel peace prize will not only strength the future peace, it will also have indirect impact on Ethiopia’s economy.
Dr. Ravi Kanth Makarla, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance, College of Business and Economics at Ambo University do believethat Abiy’s Nobel Peace prize can have a long term positive economic impact on the country.
As to him, acceptance all over the world has an importance for Economic development. Besides, Ethiopia is maintaining a very good relationship with other countries thanks to Abiy Ahimed. The government has been doing its best for the betterment of investment opportunity.
He said, this Nobel Prize may not immediately spur Ethiopia’s economic development but for sure its positive impact will unfold through time. The dynamics of Abiy’s idea is very strong. His ideology had won acceptance among that of his candidates for this prize. Everybody has been surfing to know more about Ethiopia and the focus of all had zoomed here.
“Thus, the economic impact on Ethiopia definitely will unfold. Job opportunities definitely will be there. Global acceptance will foreground the country’s products and culture,” he added.
As Ethiopia is a resiliently peaceful, stable and successful country, it has East Africa’s largest economy. The country will enjoy many bonanzas. It will press ahead with strengthening fraternity among nations and peoples in the region. And this situation will also increase its acceptance, he stated.
Once the country ensured peace in all respects, it will automatically attract additional global investors in taking part in the development processes. Citizens’ attitude will also change enthused by the impressive International Peace Award, he said.
Fasil Tasew, microeconomics and public finance lecturer at Unity University said on his part that the Nobel Prize is given for highly influential persons in the world. So, the premier’s has added a new feather on his cap through his big effort. There is no gainsaying his prize has impact for each person of Ethiopian people.
The premier’s ascension to power is realized through the Ethiopian youths and other people’s struggle against some phony politicians before the reform. So, the credit for the prize goes to youths and other Ethiopian public too, he said.
He added, to become a Nobel Peace Prize winner one needs to be a responsible and role player for sustainable peace inside and across the world. So, one has to forge better relationship with countries and it helps to make better economic movement locally and internationally.
As to him, peace is a base for producing products and selling. People need more peace to run better business activities. Accordingly, the prize can push the PM and the country’s citizens to do more detail on their peace and development.
This prize will also open more room than ever before for investors to think about the country and it can influence the government to manage investors better, Fasil stated.
He added, Ethiopia is a cradle land of civilization in the world. And it has also been playing role regarding mediating unrest in neighboring countries. Ethiopia will also stand a better chance to create peace. It is a base for economic development in the area. This means that it has an impact on countries multidimensional development.
However, Associate professor Atilaw Alemu begs to differ. He believes that the prize could be one factor but there are undercurrent factors inside and outside the country. They too must be taken into account to manage the investment and good relationship with others. Economic development will come when the government and the public do more on political, economic and other social issues of the country.
The Ethiopian Herald October 20/2019
BY GENET FEKADE
