Ethiopia's Development Programs Said Compatible With NEPAD's Framework

Addis Ababa, July 15, 2002 (WIC)- State Minister of Finance and Economic Development disclosed that Ethiopia's development policies and programs were compatible with NEPAD's framework.

Addressing a one day seminar launched at the Sheraton Addis today under the theme Ethiopia's national development within the Framework of NEPAD" State Minister Mekonnen Manyazewal said that Ethiopia's development strategy which includes poverty alleviation and democratization was in line with NEPAD's framework.

NEPAD's major elements such as good governance, decentralization, sustainable development and human rights were issues entertained by the policies and strategies of the Ethiopian government, he noted.

He further said that Ethiopia takes the private sector and the civil society as major development partners as does NEPAD.

These common elements put the country in a better position to smoothly implement NEPAD's programs, he noted.

Meanwhile, Mekonnen said that the determination of African leaders to implement NEPAD's programs fully and the presence of peer review and conflict resolution mechanisms in NEPAD's framework made the initiative plausible and acceptable.

According to the State Minister, the fact that NEPAD has plans of action for identified and concrete projects makes it different from the previous 18 initiatives that failed.

The Executive Director of Development Policy Management Forum (DPMF), Professor Abdalla Bujra, on his part said that NEPAD, unlike the previous initiatives, has a better possibility for realization as it is fully accepted by African leaders and development partners.

He also pointed out that to accomplish the ambitious goals of NEPAD, there must be established new partnership with developed countries based on mutual commitments and interests.

The conference was attended by over sixty participants including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister's office, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce.

About EATIC
The Ethio-American Trade & Investment Council (EATIC - www.eatic.org) is a non-profit, non-partisan, tax exempt membership organization of corporations and individuals dedicated to strengthening and facilitating trade and investment between Ethiopia and the United States of America. The Council believes that it can best accomplish this goal through education, focusing on broadening the respective knowledge of various social customs, cultural traditions and economic climate of both countries.

Return to Press Room