ADDIS ABABA – There is a need to up the involvement of economists in the country’s economic life and the decision-making process, said former President of Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association and a senior economist.
Initiative Africa Managing Director and Economist Kibur Gena said experts in the fields of business and economics need to build their capacity consistently and come up with innovative ideas to reinforce the country’s economic activities.
Ethiopian economists are not taking part in major economic discourse at the national level. Most are preoccupied with their traditional tasks such as teaching and consulting, he told The Ethiopian News Agency.
“Hence, there is a need to give greater emphasis to up their involvement in the country’s economic activity.”
Assistance Prof. Birhanu Denu of the Addis Ababa University’s Economics Department, on the other hand, said there are a group of economists who are striving to support the country’s economy with their expertise and knowledge.
One among them, as to him, is the Ethiopian Economists Association. Besides conducting various studies, the Association has been organizing discussion forums on the burning economic issues of the time, he said adding yet there remains a lot to be done.
The recruitment system for hire economists has not also been effective over the years, he said. As a result, few have been assigned to higher positions without fulfilling the required expertise.
The limitations are observed on the side both the government and economists, he added.
Unlike in the past, these days, the government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has opened its doors for economists.
“For the country to achieve full progress, we need to start thinking of a high level of professionalism, and avoiding red tape.
The Ethiopian Herald April 30/2012
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
