Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on April 19, 2024, officially inaugurated the Haro Dendi Lodge, a significant new addition to Ethiopia's burgeoning tourism infrastructure. Located approximately 13 kilometers from Wenchi in the Oromia region, the lodge is part of the "Gebeta LeTewulid" (Dine for Generations) program, a national initiative aimed at developing key tourist destinations and boosting the country's hospitality sector.
During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Abiy delivered a wide-ranging speech, highlighting major strides in Ethiopia's economic development and outlining ambitious future plans. A key announcement was the impending inauguration of what he described as the country's "largest gold factory" within the next one to two months. This development underscores the government's focus on leveraging Ethiopia's rich mineral resources for economic growth.
The Prime Minister emphasized the increasing participation of private investors in the mining sector, noting that this collaboration is yielding substantial results. "The mining sector is beginning to respond in line with the policy we have put in place, and this is evident in our export performance," Dr. Abiy stated, further reinforcing the sector's growing contribution to the national economy.
Another significant focus of the Prime Minister's address was the tourism sector and Ethiopia's readiness to host international events. He specifically detailed ongoing preparations for the upcoming COP32 (United Nations Climate Change Conference), which Ethiopia is slated to host. To accommodate the anticipated influx of international delegates, the country is actively working to quadruple its hotel bed capacity from the current approximately 20,000 to an ambitious 80,000. This expansion is crucial for enhancing Ethiopia's capability to host large-scale global gatherings and solidify its position as a preferred destination for international conferences.
Dr. Abiy also shared optimistic projections regarding Ethiopia's economic performance. Citing recent assessments from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he announced that Ethiopia is projected to be the fastest-growing economy in Africa this year. "Today, the World Bank and IMF are holding their annual meetings in Washington, and they have released this year's growth projections. Ethiopia is projected to be the number one highest-growing country in Africa," he declared. According to these institutional forecasts, Ethiopia is the only African nation expected to achieve over 9 percent economic growth. Despite these robust projections, Prime Minister Abiy expressed even greater confidence, stating, "We expect even more than this; we will see when it arrives."
The Prime Minister attributed the country's current positive economic trajectory to the cumulative efforts across several key sectors, including tourism, agriculture, energy, technology, and mining. These sectors, he noted, are collectively driving the nation's development agenda.
Addressing critics and obstacles to the country's development journey, Prime Minister Abiy employed a metaphorical example of an eagle and a crow. He explained that as an eagle ascends to great heights, a crow might attempt to perch on its neck and harass it. However, the eagle, instead of responding to the crow, simply increases its speed and continues its upward flight. "We are like that (eagle); we will fly to our heights; we will achieve our dreams; we will leave the shouting and crying to the crows," he concluded, conveying a message of unwavering focus and determination in the face of challenges.
The inauguration of the Haro Dendi Lodge and the Prime Minister's comprehensive address underscore Ethiopia's commitment to economic diversification, infrastructure development, and enhancing its global standing.
Source: Telegram / tikvahethiopia