ADDIS ABABA - Supporting the country’s effort in the development and promotion of renewableenergy coordinated by the National Bio-gas Program of Ethiopia (NBPE), China on Fridaydonated bio-gas appliances to Ethiopia.Xie Xiaoyan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, signed on the hand-over certificate withAlemayehu Tegenu, Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy, in a ceremony held on thepremises of Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Energy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital.The appliances worth one million Chinese Yuan (about 161,290 U. S. dollars) will bedisseminated to rural households to light and cook with them, said Alemayehu.The minister noted that the Ethiopian government has been taking various measures fordevelopment of alternative sources of energy by expanding access to modern and cleanenergy services.He stated that based on the country’s potential of cattle and availability of water in ruralEthiopia, the government together with development partners has planned to construct 70,000bio-gas plants by the end of the country’s Growth and Transformation Period (GTP2011-2015).The minister commended the Chinese government for the donation of the appliances amid abottleneck for rapid expansion of Ethiopia’s bio-gas program.”In this regard I would like to express my deep gratitude to the efforts made by the Governmentof the People’s Republic of China through its Embassy here for swiftly answering our requestfor the 10,000 bio-gas appliances worth 1000,000 Yuan in donation, “ said the minister.He added he would also like to express the government’s commitment to rapidly disseminatethe appliances to help rural households to light and cook with it.He also appreciated the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia and all other parties participated in oneway or another for realization of the donation.Xie said that the donation is a gift symbolizing the friendship of the Chinese government and itspeople to the government and people of Ethiopia.

Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Dr. Hesham Kandil announced Egypt’s participation in the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO) meeting held in Sudan’s Ministry of Water Resources in Khartoum, which brought together the delegations of Sudan and Ethiopia.The meeting dealt with the importance of constant cooperation and also addressed the challenges facing ENTRO and how to reach specific proposals for the continuation of ENTRO work at present and future.Minister Kandil pointed out that the meeting has agreed to keep the current management of ENTRO unchanged until holding the next meeting.

Excerpt from the United States Department of State daily press briefing:

Dr Dagachew Assefa … AddisGuday Magazine
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