Addis Ababa, 8 September 2014 (WIC) –Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said that the government is determined to work hard to raise the country’s export which failed to meet the five billion Birr target in the previous budget year.
It just earned 3.3 billion Birr in the reported period.
The Premier told the Ethiopian Press Agency journalists yesterday that both internal and external factors impeded the growth of the export as per the plan.
Hailemariam said coffee, which is the country’s largest export item, and gold prices saw price failure at the international market was the major setback to achieve the goal.
“The solution we devised to overcome this factor was to increase the quantity of export in these and other items but contraband and domestic illegal trade hindered us,” Hailemariam said.
“The second option we sought was to work hard to increase coffee productivity by properly nurturing coffee trees so as to have more produces. But we did not attain the level we expected,” he added.
The Prime Minister also said that it is not only the export of agricultural products but textile, leather and agro-processing sub-sectors did not meet the result that was hoped for huge manufacturing industries produced below capacity due to recurrent power failure.
“We need coordination of different sectors supported by integrated master plan for our development. In this regard, what we understood in 2006 was that the already installed power distribution lines are not fitting to serve such new areas of development like condominium houses,” Hailemariam said.
Hence, he said that long and short term solutions will be set by the government to address electricity problem which limited productivity of industries thereby reducing export volume. As to the Premier, more substations are required to reach the power to these newly emerging development areas.
The value addition efforts of such agro-processing activities will also be one of the critical options that will be given due consideration to encourage farmers in producing more and more to ultimately raise export. The production of main crops has shown 15 per cent increment in the last two years which is the result of the farmers effort in employing modern agricultural implements to increase productivity.
“Animal product was also one of the areas identified with low quality, though our country has the largest livestock population in Africa. But most of the livestock product we have is not of the best quality. So, we are expected to work hard to improve next year,” Hailemariam said.
The Premier also told the journalists that developmental activities achieved in 2006 budget year were mainly attributed to the growing public participation both in socio-economic activities and national mega projects.
Hailemariam added that as the next year is the end of the five year Growth and Transformation Plan, increasing of the quality of livestock products, adding value to agricultural outputs, tackling problems of good governance as well as boosting public participation will be given due consideration.
With respect to the coming election, all key players– the public, the ruling party and opposition political parties should play own role to make the election fair, free and democratic. The ruling party is making the necessary preparation designing an election strategy to be approved by EPDRF supreme council.
Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Premier said that 40 per cent of the project has been completed which he attributed to an invaluable public participation.
“Those who were less confident in our ambition are now be amazed and have come to understand that there would be no reason for a plan to fail if the public and government join hands.”
Hailemariam added that all segments of the public pledged to contribute 9-10 billion Birr for the Dam from which close to 6 billion Birr has already been collected.
The Diaspora participation, he says, is rising though not as expected.
Misinformation by some individuals living abroad and the fact that buying a bond is illegal under the American law is becoming an hindrance to have the necessary participation from the American Diaspora. Hence, he said that efforts need to be made to enable the Diaspora buy bonds sending their money back home.
The Premier also said that Ethiopia continues to fight terrorism and ensure regional peace and security.
Responding to the journalists on issue of introducing a National Identity Card, he also said that national steering committee has been formed to process the task.
“Six ministries are coordinating the task. The consultants have already been employed to do this job and I think, we will have a national ID within the coming three years.” (EH)