Finland undertaking over 22.4 Mln. Birr dev't projects in Ethiopia

 Addis Ababa, August 20 (ENA)--Charge de' affaires of the Finnish Embassy to Ethiopia says his government has been undertaking various development projects in the country at a cost of over 22.4 million Birr this year. 

 In an exclusive interview with ENA Kari Toiviainen said the Finnish financed development projects focused, among others, on agriculture, environmental protection and potable water supply.

  The lion's share of the stated sum went to the clean water provision project, which is being carried out in four zones of the Amhara State, Toiviainen said.

  He said the first and second phases of the water project, launched some 10 years ago, had already been finalized with an outlay of about 45.6 million Birr.

  More than 100,000 people in the four zones have benefited from the water projects, Toiviainen said. 

 Preparations have been completed to launch the third phase of the potable water project, the charge de' affaires said.

   He said the government of Finland has recently allowed the disposal of 3,401 tons of Ethiopian obsolete pesticides in its country.

  The burning of the obsolete pesticides would be carried out by a Finnish company called EKOKEM, the charge de' affaires said.

  He said the program was financed by the governments of Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States. 

 The UN Food and Agricultural Organization has been charged with the task of facilitating the disposal of the pesticides, Toiviainen said.  

 The Charge de' affaires said Ethiopia is the third largest Finnish development partner in Africa. 

   Ethiopia and Finland established diplomatic relations in 1964. 

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