. Lauds IGAD’s economic role
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
ADDIS ABABA– The private sector in Ethiopia and Djibouti need to play a role to further consolidate the economic cooperation between the two countries, the Djibouti Chamber of Commerce said.
The business persons in both countries need to move as fast as the desire and effort of the two governments to further deepen ties, President of the Chamber Youssouf Moussa Dawaleh told The Ethiopian . Noting that the governments of Ethiopia and Djibouti are closely working to boost ties, the president said the business communities are expected to galvanize these efforts. The business communities need to help governments’ efforts towards strong economic relations.
Dawaleh further noted that Ethiopia’s infrastructure-driven economic integration with Djibouti is an exemplary act for other countries in the Horn of Africa. Djibouti covers 85 percent of its hydroelectricity demand from Ethiopia whereas the latter carries out 95% of its international trade via Djibouti ports. As to him, the immense investment the two countries exerted on infrastructure connectivity opens a window of opportunity for the business community.
“We have to perk up the infrastructural development in order to elevate the integration considering that the private investment is an engine for the economy. As a private sector, we must also be convinced that the two sides are linked forever and nobody can separate us.” Apart from benefiting the two countries, the connectivity in different areas have its own contribution for economic integration for the region. Commenting on IGAD’s role in nurturing the development of the Horn, the president said that since Workneh Gebeyehu took leadership, a range of development activities are being carried out.
“The IGAD business forum is one aspect that the private sector is highly engaged in. We are also putting in place an IGAD arbitration center. If there is a dispute between private investors of various countries, we will have our arbitration system to settle dispute before the two parties go to the international courts.”
Indicating that the youth without a certificate has no access to technical and vocational training, he noted that technical skills and competencies are needed to enhance employability, productivity, and income without undue emphasis on educational certificates. “In order to provide standardize vocational training to the youth in the Horn, we have to put in place a curriculum that many of our schools of will be governed.”
THE ETHIOPIAN SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2023
