PRESS RELEAS

Washington, D.C., September 21, 2011 – The very large and increasingly successfully Ethiopian Diaspora in the U.S. sent about $1.0 billion in 2010 to their families and friends back home, mostly to cover daily expenditures. By contrast, their investment remittances were relatively smaller than the expenditure remittances despite wide ranging investment opportunities in the country.To discuss this and related topics a unique conference titled “Collaborative Investing by the Diaspora” will take place on Saturday October 8, 2011 from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel located at 2660 Woodley Road N.W., Washington, D.C.The conference will include a Keynote speech by Zemedeneh Negatu , one of the most dynamic and globally successful Ethiopian-American business executives, now working in Africa, followed by interactive discussions with the audience about the opportunities and investment vehicles the Diaspora can use to collaboratively invest in various sectors including real estate, agro-industry, mining, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare and the service industry.The increasing importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ethiopia’s economy, especially from China, India and other emerging economies and the U.S. and how the Diaspora can benefit from it will also be addressed.Admission to the event is free but online pre-registration is required by October 1, 2011, at http://www.fairfaxafrica.com/registration.html