PM Abiy Ahmed’s Cabinet Approves Various Resolutions & Bills
ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s cabinet on Saturday passed a number of resolutions and draft regulations, announces his office.
The Council of Ministers held its fifth regular session on Saturday morning to deliberate on a total of six agendas, according to a statement issued by the PM Office.
Among the them were the approval of six draft regulations which has paved a way for the establishment of an umbrella entity, Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group to manage five state-owned sugar factories with their own legal status
Financial strategy
The Council first discussed the National Financial Inclusion Strategy Document (2022-2026). The document aims to build upon the success of the previous strategy run from 2016 to 2021 and makes use of new opportunities created.
The council approved the strategy after an extensive discussion on the documents.
IFAD Loan
Next, the council discussed the 245-million Birr loan agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The loan will finance the implementation of the Rural Financial System Reform Program (phase III) which aims to support Ethiopian farmers production capacity.
The loan will be used to purchase agricultural inputs and equipment and transportation of products, as per the PM Office.
After checking the agreement is inline with the nation’s loan strategy and discussion, the Council approved the agreement and referred the agreement to the Parliament for approval.
Georgetown Pact
The council also deliberated on the revised Georgetown Agreement that amended the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
The pact intends to strengthen economic, political, social, and cultural ties among the people of the member states. It also helps them to cooperate on common international agendas.
The Council discussed a draft proclamation that proposes Ethiopia’s membership to the organization, and came to an agreement for its implementation.
The draft proclamation has been erected to the Ethiopian parliament for approval.
Determine Service fee
The council then held discussion on four draft regulations to determine fees for services rendered by four federal institutions.
The institutions are the Civil Society Organization Authority; Federal Police Commission, Immigration Nationality and Vital Events Agency, and the Information Network Security Administration.
After approving the four bills, the council decided for the regulations to come into effect from the date of publication in the Negarit Gazeta.
Military Deals with Turkey
The council finally deliberated on military cooperation agreements the federal government signed with Turkey during Prime Minister Abiy’s visit to Ankara in August 2021.
According to the PM Office, Turkey, which has been a close friend of Ethiopia for centuries, has also reaffirmed its commitment to Ethiopia again recently.
With this in mind, the PM Office said the three agreements were presented for the Council and discussed.
The goals of the agreements are to create a framework for cooperation in education and training, joint military exercises, defense industry construction, cyber-attack prevention, peacekeeping, military financial cooperation, and collaboration in anti-piracy campaigns.
Following the Council’s approval, the agreements have been directed to the House of People’s Representatives for ratification.
