Canada expends over 160 million CD on development program in Ethiopia: ambassador

 Addis Ababa, June 2 (ENA)--Canadian ambassador to Ethiopia says his government has expended over 160 million Canadian dollar (CD) on the execution of its development program in Ethiopia during the last five years.

In an exclusive interview with ENA on Thursday ambassador John Schram said Canadian development program in Ethiopia focused, among others, on food security, governance and democracy as well as on food emergencies.

Over the past four years, the Canadian contribution for food security in Ethiopia has been 316 million Birr, he said, adding that Canada has earmarked 211 million Birr for the sector over the next four years.

The ambassador said as part of its commitment to support governance and democracy in Ethiopia, Canada had granted five million CD to the federal courts and the court systems in the Benishangul-gumuz and Amhara States last year.

Schram said his government has also designed viable programs aimed at helping the Ethiopian parliament improve its function and committee structure.

Canada was financing the implementation of educational, potable water supply and women's income-generating schemes in the Benishangul-gumuz and Oromia states, the ambassador noted.

Schram said the government of Canada envisaged expending about 38 million CD in Ethiopia during the next five years.

He also stressed the need for joint efforts to bolster the existing Ethio-Canada trade and investment cooperation, which he said is currently at its infant stage.

The ambassador said that his government was encouraging Canadian companies to take active participation in the mining and communications sectors as well as hydroelectric power generation schemes in Ethiopia.

Schram also underlined the need to use the 45,000 Ethiopian professionals and business people in Canada to build better trade and investment links.

Speaking of the democratization in Ethiopia, the ambassador described the process as "encouraging" and reaffirmed Canada's continued support in this regard.

Schram, meanwhile said, the Canadian government has made a 400,000 CD donation to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) in support of its land mine clearing activities in the border area.

Canada also granted 100,000 CD for peace building efforts, according to the ambassador.

He said Canadian 450-strong UNMEE contingent would leave for home on 12 June this year after a successful 6-month tour of duty.

Ethiopia and Canada established diplomatic relations in 1963.

(END)