Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI) credit facility said it has offered 45 million USD loan to beneficiaries in 2009.

The facility established in 2008 was funded by the USAID/Ethiopia and implemented by Nib, Abyssinia, Dashen and Awash private banks.

The facility has given priority to Ethiopian Diaspora and women entrepreneurs engaged in agriculture, manufacturing trade and services.

In press conference they gave here on Friday officials from USAID and the banks they said the facility so far loaned 45 million USD for 16 projects.

DDI Director Sehul Trusaw on the occasion said the inflation was a hurdle to finance the proposed projects.

Meanwhile, discussion was held on ways to maximize the potential of US export market under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).

On the occasion, Business, Environment, Agriculture and Trade with USAID Daniel Moore said some 18 million USD has been secured through AGOA.

He said the amount has been increasing it was limited in three million USD in the inception.

Producers, exporters and representative from international organization and donors took part in the discussion.

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