The comprehensive evolution of the Ethiopian economy and reforms incepted few years before has been tempted and passed through challenges due to nationwide turmoil and some western powers that yearn to sustain poking nose politics in Africa.
Following the war erupted in the north Ethiopia, apart from fatalities and casualties that claimed the lives of many, there have been substantial damages on the economy yet several are in precarious situation and in need of emergency.
Upon their insurgence to the neighboring Amhara which is registered as ultimate enemy, the TPLF terrorist group didn’t only kill civilians, there, the values of humanity reduced to massacre of cattle, destroying crops and the rules of humanity dropped to rapping children and humiliating elders which has a direct impact on the future productive public segment. Crippling the economy is of prioritized goal of the terrorist.
Coupled with the war, the desire to impose economic sanction and twisting hands thereby among western powers seemed to be concurrent challenges and a stab in the back for Ethiopia influential and populous country in the continent. The western powers are leaving no stone unturned to weaken Ethiopia economically, and the United States in particular, is on the verge of suspending Ethiopia from AGOA.
Hence, the time demands to foresee, and diversify opportunities to rescue the nose dive situation and save the nation at risk, claim a prominent scholar.
Professor Birhanu Borje, Lecturer of Marketing Management and Researcher at Hawasa University had moments of togetherness with The Ethiopian Herald.
Upon the short stay Prof. Birhanu said that Ethiopia is urged to foresee varieties of market opportunities to compensate prohibition of AGOA and need to shift its face to China and others strategic partners.
However, suspending the country from the opportunity doesn’t only impact upon employees and firms locally it is also violating the right of consumers in the United States their product preferences, the Professor added. Hence, prohibition of Ethiopia from the market creates shortage of supply and preference in the market of the United States as there is a great demand for Ethiopian products.
To fill such and such gaps, there is a need to launch inter-regional market and strong economic integration among Africans. And the country needs to foresee optional market opportunities in oriental countries, the Middle East and Asia Minor as such countries constitute most of the population of the world and likely to be potential destinations of Ethiopian Industrial products.
And it is not advisable for a country to relay on single oversea market for its product as there are ample opportunities as efforts are being made to explore optional markets in Africa.
Most notably the county is expected to produce two folds and more to rescue its economy and help agriculture hazards in the war torn areas of north.
In doing so, lots could be assisted and rescued from further fatalities and there by rehabilitated in the aftermath.
Birhanu further said that staggering amount of money is being looted as a result of the terrorist infiltration. Consequently, the government alone could not shoulder in enhancing the lives of many.
Thus, culminating the war at short time span is not compromised issue. And the public in the relatively peaceful areas should be determined to produce surplus products for both domestic consumption and the need for foreign currency, he said.
It is also a time to mobilize all human and material resources to compensate for the loss, rehabilitate the displaced and stimulate the economy in true foundation.
Moreover, at this very critical time where the mass are displaced, properties are destroyed, agriculture has not been practiced in some parts of the country, the public are advised to leave the comfort zone and the state must refrain from importing luxuries expects for those identified as necessities.
Ethiopia land of heterogeneity, independent for eras and later revealed to be the symbol of African independence after the fascist Italy hauled down its flag had become center of attention for the humiliated white raciest. From then onwards there have been political and economic sabotage upon the country.
Meanwhile, they continued to instigate conflict among the diverse nations of Ethiopia under the pretext of identity religion among others and managed to cripple the economy for their own greedy interest.
As it had been demonstrated in the colonial era, efforts had been made to presumably rule the majority by minorities and getting the watch dog responsibilities in return; however, in Ethiopia the white powers more focused on economic conspiracy denying the country from the blue economy including violating sovereign right over natural resources.
The white powers have been plotting to the extent of opposing unilateral projects like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
These days, for the only reason Ethiopia manages to keep its territorial integrity and execute law enforcement mission, President Joe Biden signed a sweeping executive order authorizing sanctions on the Ethiopian government, the Eritrean government, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and several other entities the US government deems to be contributing to the conflict.
Some say the Biden administration suspension of Ethiopia from trade privileges from the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) – which came into effect in 2000 and allows duty-free imports of selected products from the continent – signifying the deterioration of the relationship between the US and Ethiopia.
However, according to the marketing scholar, Professor Birhanu, if all Ethiopians work hand to hand and in solidarity, there is no uphill struggle to such vigor.
The scholar further insisted the suspension of the country from AGOA has no significant effect on the country’s main export, it only slightly affects textile industries and laborers. Thus, working towards the volume of the major export trade like coffee and initiating economic integrity among Africans at similar currency is of paramount importance.
It is also lucrative to launch auction market and host market Olympics with the aim to help small holders in this regard Oscar of the Coffee World Cup of Excellence needs to be reinforced.
As the country is botanical home of coffee Arabica with an almost fertilizer free environment and with distinct traceable flavor, investing on the specialty coffee and increasing the volume of commodity coffee along with identifying oversea market would also be a relief for the nation under emergency.
The public and private sectors also need to finance the agriculture sector in the country more than ever as such primary economic sector have employed millions and highly inter related with the food system of the country.
Thus, experts recommended that the need to supply and demand of agriculture, financial accessibility and demand, ease of financing, promoting agricultural insurance, financing small holders; agricultural finances and business development support would be a spring board at this critical time.
BY LAKACHEW ATINAFU
ETHIOPIAN HERALD NOVEMBER 25/2021
