The Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) disclosed that over 21,760 certified commodities worth close to USD 1.6 billion has been imported from China.

Public relations and education service head with authority, Sisay Asefae, told WIC that the certified commodities have been imported from China until last July since the signing of pre-shipment inspection agreement between the two countries in 2006.

Sisay also recalled that a delegation director of Chinese Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine had paid a two-day visit to Ethiopia. The visit has enabled the two countries evaluate the implementation of the pre-shipment agreement, he added. The mission of the delegation was to evaluate the implementation of the pre-shipment supervision and the problems encountered since the signing of the agreement, the official said. The delegation inspected Chinese commodities on sale in Mercato, the largest open market in Africa, he said, adding that the visit of the delegation would play an important role to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries.

Nation secures USD 100mln from precious stones

Ethiopia has secured close to USD 100 million from the export of gold, silver and other precious minerals, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MoME) said. The stated sum was secured from the export of close to 5.6 tonnes of gold, silver, tantalum and platinum concentrates and white marble, the public relation service head with the ministry, Bacha Fuji, told ENA. The official aid the minerals were sold on the world market over the past Ethiopian fiscal year by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) and MIDROC-Gold, an Ethiopian private mining firm. He said that NBE has exported 425.9-kg gold produced by traditional miners while MIDROC-Gold has exported 3.1 tonnes of gold and over one tonne of silver. MIDROC-Gold has also exported 78.6 tonnes of white marble, the head added. Bacha said the ministry has been taking various measures to enhance the capacity of traditional mining and trading of precious minerals in Ethiopia. Ethiopia has recently introduced a proclamation to regulate the mining and trading of precious minerals.

Female investors receive licenses for over 385mln birr projects

Female investors with over 385 million birr combined capital have received licenses during the previous Ethiopian budget year to engage in various investment activities in Amhara State, regional trade and industry development bureau said. The bureau told ENA on Tuesday that the investors will engage in agriculture, hotel and tourism, education and health sectors, among others. Upon going fully operational, the investment projects will create jobs for more than 13,500 citizens. Some 513 investment projects owned by female investors have been licensed since 1993 in the state. The projects, which registered over 1.6 billion birr combined capital, have capacity to create jobs for 37,000 citizens.

Customs intercepts 1.5mln birr worth contraband goods

The Moyale branch office of Customs and Revenue Authority said it has intercepted contraband goods valued at 1.5 million birr at Moyale Checkpoint. Branch head, Mekonnen Workneh, told ENA that the goods include various types of cell phone apparatus, television sets, cassette and video players, used garments and drugs. The goods were intercepted while being smuggled into the country from the area bordering Kenya, he said.