Sweden witnesses encouraging economic progress in Ethiopia over past decade: ambassador

  Addis Ababa, June 7 (ENA)-- Swedish ambassador to Ethiopia says his government has witnessed a promising socio-economic development in Ethiopia over the past 10 years. 

 In an exclusive interview with ENA on Wednesday Johan Holmberg said the free market policy pursued by the incumbent government has enabled the country to register remarkable economic strides.

  During the past decade favorable conditions have been created in Ethiopia that encouraged Sweden to revitalize its bilateral cooperation with the country, Holmberg said.

  He said Swedish development assistance to Ethiopia increased significantly in the reported period, which was marked by a drastic rise in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

  Holmberg said the government of Sweden has set aside 125 million Birr to finance its development programs in Ethiopia during the current year.

  Swedish financed development programs in Ethiopia focused, among others, on rural development, education, health as well as the procurement of grain from the local market, the ambassador said.

  He said Sweden has allocated 40 million Birr for the implementation of the rural development program, which is being undertaken in various woredas of South Wollo and East Gojjam zones of the Amhara State.

  The Swedish government has also been providing support for the training of judges and prosecutors in human rights in Amhara State, he said.

  Holmberg further noted that his country has expended close to 771 million Birr on the execution of its development programs in Ethiopia over the past five years.

  Commenting on the Ethio-Swedish technical and research cooperation the ambassador said up to 60 Ethiopian professionals go to Sweden annually for short and long-term training.

  Holmberg also said that Sweden has 10 military observers in the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). 

 (END)