| Written by solomon |
| Tuesday, 15 March 2011 10:16 |
Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, who is in America on a working visit to the United Nations as well as a bilateral engagement with the government of the USA participated in a thematic meeting on how to spur investment in productive capacities of the LDCs in New York. He shared the experience of Ethiopia both in terms of best practices and on how it has addressed the challenges encountered in its fast economic growth and development over the last several years. The purpose of this debate was essentially to exchange views on how LDC countries have been able to enhance their productive capacity to meet the MDGs with a view to soliciting input to the Fourth UN Conference on LDCs to be held in Istanbul in May this year, it was learned. During his visit, the Minister held discussion with Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the UN, and other UN officials on regional and international issues of common interest. In Washington, D.C, Hailemariam held extensive discussions on regional and bilateral issues of common interest with Ambassador Jonnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa and other senior officials on 13 March 2011. The discussion was characterized by mutual understanding wherein both sides agreed to further enhance their cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. In a related development during his brief stay in the US capital, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, held a briefing session with the diplomats at the Ethiopian Embassy chancery, in Washington DC. In his remark on the occasion he underlined the need for Ethiopia`s diplomacy to continue to be loyal to the African cause. In this regard he mentioned that, the central role Ethiopia is currently playing in promoting and advocating African issues have elevated her stature in the continent earning her trust and confidence in its diplomatic engagement globally. He also emphasized the imperative need for the Embassy`s diplomatic staff to work closely with African diplomatic missions to advance the collective interest of Africa in the usual spirit of solidarity. He further briefed the staff with regard to the recent development on the Nile issue, in particular the momentum gathered to set up the Nile Commission after Burundi signed the Co-operative Framework Agreement (CFA) recently. Referring to the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) that Ethiopia has presently anchored on, the Ethiopian Deputy PM and FM stated that by the end of the anticipated five-year implementation contour of the envisioned plan, the country is bound to register transformational economic, social and political gains. Hailemariam hastened to add that, Ethiopia is also determined to placate a structural and fundamental overall transition with a commitment to enroll itself as one of the middle income nations of the world in the not too distant future. The Ethiopian Deputy PM and FM focused attention on the current conducive environment in Ethiopia that has created propitious and enabling climate for the active participation and partnership in the ongoing GTP by the Ethiopian Diaspora. He underlined the crucial need on the part of the Embassy to vigorously engage with the Ethiopian Diaspora to encourage them to actively participate in the implementation of the GTP by undertaking investment and business activities thereby benefiting themselves as well as their country. Members of the Ethiopian Community in Washington, D.C, Metro area, hosted a dinner in his honor to congratulate him on his recent appointment as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The Minister expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the occasion and promised that he will make every effort to meet with the community whenever he is in the United States. Aigaforum.com |
| Written by solomon |
| Tuesday, 15 March 2011 10:16 |
Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, who is in America on a working visit to the United Nations as well as a bilateral engagement with the government of the USA participated in a thematic meeting on how to spur investment in productive capacities of the LDCs in New York. He shared the experience of Ethiopia both in terms of best practices and on how it has addressed the challenges encountered in its fast economic growth and development over the last several years. The purpose of this debate was essentially to exchange views on how LDC countries have been able to enhance their productive capacity to meet the MDGs with a view to soliciting input to the Fourth UN Conference on LDCs to be held in Istanbul in May this year, it was learned. During his visit, the Minister held discussion with Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the UN, and other UN officials on regional and international issues of common interest. In Washington, D.C, Hailemariam held extensive discussions on regional and bilateral issues of common interest with Ambassador Jonnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa and other senior officials on 13 March 2011. The discussion was characterized by mutual understanding wherein both sides agreed to further enhance their cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. In a related development during his brief stay in the US capital, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, held a briefing session with the diplomats at the Ethiopian Embassy chancery, in Washington DC. In his remark on the occasion he underlined the need for Ethiopia`s diplomacy to continue to be loyal to the African cause. In this regard he mentioned that, the central role Ethiopia is currently playing in promoting and advocating African issues have elevated her stature in the continent earning her trust and confidence in its diplomatic engagement globally. He also emphasized the imperative need for the Embassy`s diplomatic staff to work closely with African diplomatic missions to advance the collective interest of Africa in the usual spirit of solidarity. He further briefed the staff with regard to the recent development on the Nile issue, in particular the momentum gathered to set up the Nile Commission after Burundi signed the Co-operative Framework Agreement (CFA) recently. Referring to the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) that Ethiopia has presently anchored on, the Ethiopian Deputy PM and FM stated that by the end of the anticipated five-year implementation contour of the envisioned plan, the country is bound to register transformational economic, social and political gains. Hailemariam hastened to add that, Ethiopia is also determined to placate a structural and fundamental overall transition with a commitment to enroll itself as one of the middle income nations of the world in the not too distant future. The Ethiopian Deputy PM and FM focused attention on the current conducive environment in Ethiopia that has created propitious and enabling climate for the active participation and partnership in the ongoing GTP by the Ethiopian Diaspora. He underlined the crucial need on the part of the Embassy to vigorously engage with the Ethiopian Diaspora to encourage them to actively participate in the implementation of the GTP by undertaking investment and business activities thereby benefiting themselves as well as their country. Members of the Ethiopian Community in Washington, D.C, Metro area, hosted a dinner in his honor to congratulate him on his recent appointment as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The Minister expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the occasion and promised that he will make every effort to meet with the community whenever he is in the United States. Aigaforum.com |
First Published Tuesday, 15 March 2011 04:12 pm - © 2011 Dow Jones
KAMPALA -(Dow Jones)- Uganda tax officials and U.K.-based Tullow Oil PLC (TLW.LN) Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to resolve a long-running tax dispute that held up oil and gas development in the country.A top Uganda official said the agreement will clear the way for Tullow to close a deal with Heritage Oil PLC (HOIL.LN) to take over assets that had been jointly operated by Heritage and Tullow. Tullow has planned to farm out a stake in the assets to Chinese giant China National Offshore Oil Company (CEO) and French oil major Total SA (TOT). Both transactions had been held up by a tax dispute between Tullow and Uganda.
"The MOU will help Tullow fully take over the assets it bought from Heritage and also ensure that Tullow farm-out to CNOOC and Total," Fred Kalisa Kabagambe, the ministry Permanent Secretary told reporters during the signing ceremony.
Graham Martin, Tullow's General Counsel, signed on behalf of Tullow, and was witnessed by Brian Glover, the Tullow Uganda country manager. Hilary Onek, Uganda's Energy and Minerals minister, signed on behalf of the Ugandan government and was witnessed by Allen Kagina, of the tax body.
The dispute relates to a $283 million capital gains tax bill that Uganda has said should be paid by Heritage following a $1.45 billion transaction last year.
Last week, a senior Uganda energy official told Dow Jones that the two sides had reached an agreement on the dispute, but declined to discuss the details.
Uganda's management of its oil industry became a flashpoint in the recent presidential election, with President Museveni repeatedly declaring that Uganda wouldn't allow the wishes of foreign oil producers to have greater priority than the wellbeing of the Ugandan public. Museveni won the Feb. 18 election with 68% of the vote.
-By Nicholas Bariyo, contributing to Dow Jones Newswires; 256-75-2624615 bariyonic@yahoo.co.uk
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