(Bogale Teferi)
Ethiopians have been travelling abroad since time immemorial. Using their Constitutional right to free movement and the unprecedented access to global information since the 1990s, Ethiopian citizens continued to travel to other countries to get higher education opportunities, get jobs and other opportunities in foreign countries opportunities.
In the past, most of the Ethiopians abroad were forced to migrate due to the dictatorial behavior of the regime, educated people in the country and farmers who reside near borders of neighboring countries lost their hope and were obliged to leave the country. As a result, Ethiopia was one of the top ten sources of migration in north America, for example.
Currently, the main factor of migration has become seeking job opportunities, the low-level development despite the fast socio-economic progress recorded in the past decades and the presumed availability of conducive atmosphere and opportunities in the developed world.
In fact, they are now coming back to their country to play their fair share towards Ethiopian renaissance.
Last weekend, Ethiopians from around the world convened in the Amhara Regional State to deliberate on various developmental issues and opportunities for investment.
The chief administrator of the region was present in the opening of the Amhara Diaspora Day to welcome the diaspora and urged them for an increased involvement in the development process.
Indeed, he commended them for their contributions so far. He acknowledged that they played a significant role in the economic growth that Ethiopia has registered over the past couple of decades.
"Our Diasporas have been our developmental partners. We have been working in collaboration to change our region and our country. Diaspora investors created job opportunity for thousands of citizens in Amhara region."
The Amhara regional state has been registering encouraging growth especially in investment, infrastructure, and the agriculture sector.
In this strive for socio-economic progress; the Diasporas have experience, skill, knowledge, capital, and technological knowhow that enable them to develop their country of origin.
As the nation is aspiring to become hub for light industry in the region, the support from the Diaspora is important. Indeed, several developmental endeavors could benefit from the diaspora participation. In particular, the manufacturing sector needs more enhancements and involvement from the Diaspora.
The promise of diaspora's involvement in the regional socio-economic developmental endeavors was exemplified by the cornerstone laying of the technology development center along the Amhara diaspora day celebration.
The ‘Bete Abay' Technology and Innovation Center will be a technology and innovation center.
It will be constructed on 20,000 hectares of land, would cost 390 million Birr, in Bahir Dar, the capital of the regional state of Amhara. The center will get a new technology and innovation center, with the involvement of local and Diaspora stakeholders..
The ‘Bete Abay' Technology and Innovation Center will have a huge impact in producing capable technologists and innovators upon completion. The Ethiopian government has given priority for science and technology and the latest project is part of that policy and strategy.
Furthermore, the region's officials have disclosed that the project will be inherited by the Diaspora. The center would serve as a symbol of unity and solidarity as it brings together the Diaspora of the region.
"There will be an ample opportunity for the Diaspora community to show our support and solidarity for our people and the regional government. We will not sleep until we complete this grand project."
Indeed, this is not a time to sleep.
Ethiopian disapora should seize the opportunity to take part in the booming economy of Amhara region. They should reap the benefit of early investment in an emerging market and contribute to the development process of their country through their finance, skill and know-how.
Indeed, the diaspora is making significant constributions through various means. One of those channels is the often overlooked role of remittances.
Recent report show that the remittance to Ethiopians from abroad increased sharply in 2015, up by about $2 billion to reach $3.7 billion from $1.5 billion in 2014.
The 88 percent jump in remittances from the 2 million Ethiopians abroad is a phenomenal increase. Some of this cash is to help families and relatives, some for investments in the country. Indeed, the diaspora population has a massive investment in Ethiopia.
According to a data from 2014, nearly 3000 members of the Diaspora community have been involved in investment in different sectors. The amount of capital involved was estimated about twenty-five billion birr. This substantial investment portfolio not only made its own contribution to the overall economic growth of the country, but also created more than 125 thousand jobs in the country.
Indeed, Ethiopia is needs more of her sons and daughters abroad as it progresses towards her renaissance building infrastructure like roads, railways, power plants and factories and improving the lives of children and women.