Ministry Prepares Draft Proclamation for Diaspora =====

A draft proclamation that enables to properly implement the nation’s Diaspora Policy is readied, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This was disclosed at the Diaspora Coordination Forum held at the Hilton Hotel today.

Ethiopia had issued a Diaspora Policy which ensures the rights and benefits of Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin residing abroad as well as their participation in the ongoing development endeavors five years ago.

Foreign Affairs State Minister, Dr. Akililu Hailemichael said the draft proclamation will help to properly implement the Diaspora Policy.

According to Demeke Atnafu, Director-General of Diaspora Engagement Affairs, engagement of the Diaspora in development endeavors in general and in trade and investment in particular is encouraging.

The Ethiopian Diaspora is getting engaged in knowledge and technology transfer, agriculture, education, health and others, the Director-General added.

There are Diaspora Coordination Offices that assist the Diaspora engagement in all the regional states and two city administrations, it was learned.

Demeke stated that 171 members of the diaspora have come to Ethiopia in the first Ethiopian fiscal year and are engaged in various investment sectors.

Of these, 94 are engaged in manufacturing, 25 in agriculture, and 36 in services.

Ethiopians living abroad have sent 4.6 billion US dollars in remittance last Ethiopian year.

source ena