Gov’t urges diaspora to invest in Ethiopia, rehabilitate damaged infrastructures

Government officials have urged the diaspora to invest in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia Diaspora Investment Forum and exhibition officially launched on Tuesday at Skylight hotel with the presence of senior government officials. The forum has been intended to reveal the potential investment opportunities in Ethiopia.

Lelisse Neme, Ethiopia Investment Commissioner said that from among 800 invited members of the Ethiopian and Ethiopian descent diaspora to the forum, 50% show their interest to invest in Ethiopia.

Manufacturing, agriculture, industrial parks development specializing in ICT, health and logistics sectors are identified as priority areas of investments for the diaspora.

Meanwhile, government officials have also urged the diaspora to rehabilitate the damaged infrastructures due to the war.

Officials have also requested the diaspora to rehabilitate people affected by the areas where the war took place and reconstruct damaged public properties such as schools, health facilities and transport infrastructures and services, among others.

Mitiku Kassa, National Disaster Risk Management Commissioner said out of 1.4 million displaced people in Amhara region due to the war, 1.2 million people returned to their homes. “But, they don’t have house utensils, which are essential for their daily lives,” he said.

Dagmawit Moges, Transport and Logistics Minister for her part also requested the diaspora to participate in rebuilding the destroyed infrastructures.

“We need to build the damaged infrastructures in a better way. To realize this all stakeholders should participate in all aspects. I would like to call on the diaspora to take part both in financial contributions and technically through their profession”.

The consultation was co-hosted by Ethiopian Diaspora Agency and Teach and Serve Africa.