Meles said the government has become successful in controlling the existing price hike, with the exception of some products like petroleum. In fact, the measures have already put the ever-increasing price of food items under control.

The premier made the statement here on Monday while holding discussions with members of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association (ECCSA).

The government in collaboration with the business community has been importing food items like wheat and edible oil with a view to curbing the increasing price of food grains, he said, wheat flour would enter into the hinterland soon.

The government is also preparing itself to import one million tons of cement in order to mitigate shortage of cement in the country, Meles said.

The prime minister also announced that his government is working with banks to reduce the amount of money circulating across the nation.

Actually, Meles said, a lot is expected from the business community since the private has key role toward the success of the government’s measures in particular and to the growth of the national economy in general.

The country has no greater agenda than eradicating poverty and backwardness, he said. Hence, the business community shall play its level best toward the same cause in line with the national economic policy.

Especially, the private sector shall work together with the government toward ensuring legal transactions and institutionalizing up-to-date system of tax collection across the nation, the premier underscored.

Asked about the current activity of the Eritrean regime in the Djibouti border, Meles reiterated that though the situation is not a direct concern to Ethiopia, it could, indeed, threaten the peace and security of the whole sub-region.

“They (Eritrean government officials) do act silly sometimes. But I don’t think they would go totally insane,” Meles said, "Even so, Ethiopia has a capacity of protecting the safety of the Ethio-Djibouti trade corridor.

Responding on the existing cut of power and telecommunication services across the nation, Meles said the government is striving to resolve the problems in the sector in a sustainable manner, though some of the problems do require some time.

The prime minister reaffirmed to participants on the occasion that the government is ready more than ever to assist entrepreneurs who are willing to invest in basic development sectors that are crucial to the overall development of the nation.

Meanwhile, Meles said the government decided to return the building of the ECCSA located around ‘Mexico Square’, which was confiscated by the former Derge regime in 1968 E.C, to the proprietor.

Such a fruitful discussion shall be strengthened every year, Meles noted.

R-5:00-6:24 pm

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