The government of Ethiopia, in a statement released today, affirms that it will commence first filling of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), in parallel with construction of the dam, without causing significant harm on Egypt and Sudan.

While expressing its dismay over yesterday’s statement of treasury department of the United States, The government explained that it does not accept the characterization that the negotiation on the guidelines and rules on the first filling and annual operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is completed.

The United States of America cautions Ethiopia to refrain from filling and testing its giant dam on Nile before reaching an agreement with Sudan and Egypt.

The US Treasury Department, in its statement released yesterday after a meeting with ministers of Sudan and Egypt in the absence of Ethiopia, said final testing and filling of the dam should not take place without an agreement.

Egypt affirms its participation during the meeting in Washington scheduled to be held on February 27 and 28 in a bid to resolve disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), despite Ethiopia’s absence. This comes just two days after the government of Ethiopia announced that it is not going to take part in the ministerial meeting because of ‘unfinished consultation with national stakeholders.’

Ethiopian Airlines Group grossed an unaudited profit of ETB7.8 billion (USD260 million) during the first half of the current Ethiopian financial year, Public Enterprises Agency announced. The Airlines also registered revenues of ETB68 billion in the same period, the same source said.

Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) grossed a profit of ETB951 million in the first half of the current fiscal year, the highest since its establishment and twice its annual profit recorded three years ago.

Attorney General decided to drop the charges brought against the renowned businessman, Ermias T. Amelga, EBR confirmed. He is amongst 63 defendants whose court cases dropped by the Federal Prosecutors.

Econet Global Ltd announced its interest to acquire a license to provide telecom services in Ethiopia, Bloomberg reported.

Former Advisor to Ethiopian Prime ministers, Neway Gebregab, has passed away today. He was a chief economic advisor to former Prime Ministers of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn and the late Meles Zenawi.

The Council of Minister approved a supplementary budget of ETB27.9 billion to implement different programs in the next six months.

Electoral Board declared August 29 2020 as a final date for the upcoming national election. This comes a month after the Board proposed August 16 as a tentative date for national vote.