EEA Held Policy Dialogue Forum

The Ethiopian Economics Association (EEA) held policy dialogue forum on July 28, 2022, at Inter Luxury Hotel, Addis Ababa. On this one-day conference, four papers are presented.  Under the first theme (Land Issues and the Evolving Questions in Ethiopia), two presentations were made in the morning session. The first presentation is “The Evolving Questions of Land in Ethiopia: Tenure Preferences, Property Rights and Land Governance” made by Dr. Getachew Diriba, advisor in the Ministry of Agriculture. The second presentation was “Land Issues in Ethiopia: Trend, Constraints and Policy Options” presented by Dr. Mintewab Bezabih from policy studies institute. 

A total of 46 participants drawn from house of peoples standing committee of the FDRE, different ministers, NGOs, CSOs, EEA members and political party members, among others, attended the forum. Dr. Lemma Gudissa, vice president of the EEA made an opening remark in which he thanked participants of the forum, and the European Union and Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa (OSIEA) for sponsoring the event and other activities of the EEA.

After the opening speech, Dr. Getachew Diriba and Dr. Mintewab Bezabih presented their research outputs on the abovementioned topics. Following these presentations, two prominent discussants Prof. Belay Kassa a private consultant and Dr. Belachew Getnet from Bahar Dar University provided their critical comments and suggestions on Dr. Mintewab’s presentation. Participants raised questions, comments and diverse views on the land policy of Ethiopia; and the two presenters reflected on the questions and concerns. Dr. Degye Goshu from EEA moderated the session.

In the afternoon session, two presentations: (1) The Quest for Secondary Capital Market in Ethiopia and (2) Foreign Debt in Ethiopia: Challenges and Policy Options are presented by Muluneh Ayalew vice president of Bunna bank and Dr. Fetene Bogale from Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU). After the two presentations, participants raised questions, comments and suggestions, and the presenters reflected their views on the questions raised by the participants. Dr. Semeneh Bessie from EEA moderated the session.

Prof. Mengistu Ketema, the CEO of the EEA made a closing remark. In his conclusion, Prof. Mengistu appreciated the presenters, discussants, and participants for their active participation. He also informed the audience that the EEA is going to organize very unique and high-level policy dialogue from September 2-3, 2022, Addis Ababa.  

Finally, Prof. Mengistu appreciated the EU and OSIEA for sponsoring the morning and the afternoon sessions, respectively.

Partnership and Communication, EEA