World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz on Wednesday (last week) called the Banks resumption of aid to Ethiopia a sign of improved confidence in the country since donors cut direct budget support over political turmoil last year, reports the World Bank press review.
Wolfowitz, on a seven-nation African tour, said the World Banks re-engagement in Ethiopia – under a new aid initiative – must be followed by the government action to correct the problems that sparked last years deadly post-election violence.
Private sector representatives that the Bank President met said they were more confident in Ethiopias prospects since a crackdown on opposition supporters after May 2005 polls, and urged more help from the Bank – the countrys largest investor.
They also asked Wolfowitz to speed up the involvement of the World Banks private sector arm, the International Finance Corp., in Ethiopia, whose presence there is hampered by foreign exchange controls and restrictive laws.
Wolfowitz championed freedom of the press during his visit. He further noted that “creating a peaceful political situation in Ethiopia would be exemplary to other African countries.”
Kilde: www.worldbank.org
