From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Mon May 17 2010 - 18:16:30 EDT
2nd half of 2010 work program aims at making the year a turning point in the
development drive: President Isaias
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e-ministerat2.jpgAsmara, 17 May 2010 - President Isaias Afwerki said that
the 2nd half of 2010 work program aims at making the year a turning point in
the development drive through rebuffing challenges and reinforcing
development endeavors.
The President made the statement in a working paper he presented at the
Ministerial Cabinet Meeting at the Denden Hall here in the capital.
Outlining the development projects set for implementation in all sectors
along with the required budget during the 2nd half of 2010 and beyond, he
pointed out that the major portion of the national budget is geared towards
ensuring food supply and other strategic consumer items and services.
President Isaias further underscored that the implementation of development
programs with substantial budgetary allocation would continue with added
vigor on a priority basis. In this connection, the President made reference
to import substitution measures through raising domestic productivity, as
part of efforts to control inflation and minimizing living standard
constraints and ensuring economic stability.
Stating that various acts of external conspiracy were weaved with a view to
preventing the flow of foreign currency, he outlined the fiscal measures
that need to be taken to combat such a ploy. President Isaias further
highlighted the need to properly identify the factors causing burden in the
people's standard of living, and thus take corrective measures. Parallel
with this, the President stated that social security programs would be
implemented that mainly focus on members of the Defense Force and other
deserving nationals, in addition to charting long-term programs for the
benefit of the entire citizenry.
As regards enhancing development campaign, he explained that continued
attention would be given to the task of putting in place vital agricultural
infrastructure facilities, extend loan to private sector so as to encourage
investment. Moreover, the necessary study would be undertaken towards
promoting partnership with foreign companies in the fisheries sector,
besides providing support of vital production and related facilities aimed
at boosting fisheries products both for the local and foreign market.
As regards construction projects, the President indicated that machinery
potential in this sector has registered 40% growth in 2010 thanks to the
substantial government expenditure to this end. The required budget has
also been allocated to ensure the supply of fuel and construction materials,
he added. As far as meeting the challenge of residential housing is
concerned, President Isaias noted that EDF members are the ones that
deserve top priority commensurate with their dedicated services to the
nation. In connection with energy and mines sector, he pointed out that
efforts are being made to expand electricity supply, while the required
budget has been allocated for mining activities in different areas of the
country already underway and those envisaged for the future.
Regarding expansion of public transport services, the President stated that
there are plans to increase the number of buses to be deployed in the rural
and urban areas. Furthermore, the distribution of fiber plastic optics would
be enhanced, he added.
In the domains of tourism, President Isaias said that measures would be
taken to reinforce large and small-scale investment ventures, while all
possible encouragement would be given in the form of foreign currency to the
main government and private-owned industrial plants in the 2nd half of 2010
in the trade and industrial sectors so as to enable them operate in full
capacity. Fish export is also one of main income-generating activities that
deserve due encouragement, he elaborated.
The President also shed light on the initiatives taken and achievements
registered in the expansion of health and educational services across the
nation. In this regard, he outlined the programs mapped out to further
reinforce services in both domains - all within the Government's persistent
efforts to promote social justice.
In connection with the task of strengthening media activities, President
Isaias gave detailed explanation, particularly that of upgrading radio
broadcast coverage along with other programs. Furthermore, he reiterated
that sufficient budget has been allocated to all the envisaged development
action programs.
The President also gave extensive briefings as regards the objective
situation at the regional and global level, as well as political and
diplomatic developments witnessed over the past six months and future
prospects.
The Ministerial Cabinet meeting conducted extensive deliberations sector by
sector as regards the envisaged programs and those under implementation. In
the afternoon hours, the meeting conducted discussion on the programs
charted by the ministries of national development, agriculture, marine
resources and public works. The meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers would
continue tomorrow.
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