The House Endorsed the Next Five Years Development Plan (GTP) (2010/11-2014/15)

(Presented as it was written in the Media)

House endorses GTP

The House of People's Representatives (HPR) endorsed Ethiopia's five-year Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP).

Ever since its initiation, the GTP has undergone a series of discussions and enrichment by all stakeholders including various sections of the Ethiopian society as well as local and international development partners. Pertinent government officials have dealt with various questions and worries raised during all those discussions.

Lately since last week, the HPR has held weeklong exhaustive deliberations on the plan. On Thursday, December 02, 2010, the House endorsed the plan with a majority vote. Before endorsement, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi presented himself before the House and responded to all the quarries and concerns forwarded by the MPs. He also briefed the lawmakers on the measures his government is intending to take to accomplish the plan.

The premier said the GTP has taken the nation’s democratic culture a step forward as it was prepared with active participation of the public. Almost all of the comments obtained during discussions with stakeholders were constructive and will be used by the government to further enrich the plan, he said.

Since implementation of the plan calls for massive execution capacity, Meles said, the government is undertaking all the necessary preparations. He, however, underscored the irreplaceable role of active public involvement. Concerning the adjustment made on the exchange rate of Birr, the Premier said the measure is favours export trade. As a result of the measure, he said, the nation’s export revenue over the past four months has increased by 66 per cent compared with the country’s revenue earlier. This is a clear indication that the target the nation can get done the target set in the GTP, he added.

Meles said his government is working hard to make sure executives at all levels shall not throw yourself into acts of corruption.

As cases in point, he mentioned the measures being taken to improve land administration upgrade tax collection system and get the assets of government officials registered. Having pointed out implementation of the GTP requires huge financial capacity, Meles disclosed the government’s intention to introduce new financial system and broaden its income base.

Accordingly, the government will increase interest rate for domestic savings, improve access to banks, and introduce various savings schemes so as to encourage domestic savings and promote investment. It will also introduce new and better social security schemes for both government and private sector employees.

Source: ERTA, December 3,2010

N.B: Also look at the Video Links of the Endorsement