Ethiopia has generated 2.2 billion Birr income trading export and substitute products within the Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone since the inception. The Free Trade Zone also creates over 2,300 job opportunities.

The Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone facilitates regional and international integration in the area. The Free Trade Zone is part of African intercontinental free trade area.

The Free Trade zone has adequate infrastructures including electricity, water supply, shades, buildings, stores and warehouses. Additional 4,000 hectare of land will be included into the free trade zone.

Aklilu Tadesse, Chief Executive Officer, Industrial Parks Development Corporation

 In the first quarter of Ethiopia’s current fiscal year, Ethiopia has faced 2,556 cyber-attacks. INSA cyber warriors thwarted the impact of these attacks successfully.

While cyber-attacks on Ethiopian citizens, institutions, and infrastructure are rising, the country’s 24/7 cyber defense has enabled it to thwart 97.73 percent of the attacks. Thanks to Ethiopia’s tireless cyber warriors, critical systems remain secure.

Solomon Soka, INSA Director General

 Ethiopia’s import substitution strategy has been bearing fruit. Ethiopia substituted import products worth 350 million USD in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. Enhancing import substitution has been given the utmost priority.

Ethiopia, on average, imports 18 billion USD worth of products while its exports have not exceeded five billion USD. Considering the trade imbalance, the government of Ethiopia has been working to reverse this reality by strengthening the industrial sector.

Melaku Alebel, Industry Minister

 Ethiopia is preparing to launch its third earth observation satellite named ETRSS-02 within two years. Financial and economic feasibility study has been conducted regarding the launch of the third satellite.

The previous satellites that have been launched into space have successfully completed their mission in the service period.

Abdisa Yilma, Space Science and Geospatial Institute Director-General

 Amhara region is returning to normalcy following the effective law enforcement measures taken by the government.

The law enforcement actions being taken by the government in Amhara region helps to stabilize the region and citizens to return to their normal lives. Appropriate measures were taken to ensure peace and security of the people in the region to control the illegal forces destabilizing acts.

Legesse Tulu (Dr.), Minister, Government Communication Service

 Ethiopia’s quest for coastal access to sea outlets “is essentially correct” and it would enable increasing the physical economic growth of the people in the Horn of Africa region.

Considering its regional benefit, leaders of the Horn of Africa nations have to consider discussing Ethiopia’s quest for having access to sea. Ethiopia’s access to the seas would increase the physical economic growth of the East African region and ensure development in the region.

Lawrence Freeman, American Political-Economy Analyst

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2023