(Parliamentary News) March 17, 2024; The House of FDRE examined and approved various loan agreements in its 17th regular session.

His Honorable Mr. Tesfaye Beljige, the government's Chief Whip Minister, explained that the loan agreements are important to the overall development of Ethiopia.

Based on this, the House examined and approved unanimously the bill for a loan agreement of $228,200,000 US to be used for the implementation of the National digital identity card service delivery project between Ethiopia and the International Development Association.

The Chief Minister of the Government also stated that the loan agreement will be paid in 38 years, including a six-year relief period.

Similarly, the House approved unanimously a loan agreement of $200 million US between Ethiopia and the International Development Association to be used for the implementation of education and training projects.

As the minister explained that the government believes that the loan will help to implement the Ethiopian education and training for entrepreneurship project, which plays a key role in accelerating the development and growth of the country and it is also explained that the loan will be repaid in 38 years, including a 6-years relief period.

The House examined and approved the proposed bill regarding the loan agreement between Ethiopia and the International Development Association for the implementation of a business logistics project. The amount of loan for Ethiopian trade logistics is $68,500,000 US and the loan will greatly help to improve the overall logistics capacity and performance of Mojo Dry Port from its current level.

Similarly, the House examined and approved the bill for a loan agreement of €83, 500,000 Ethiopia and Italy for the implementation of Lake Boye sustainable development project and It has been explained that the loan will be repaid in 30 years, including a 16-year relief period.

The members of the House, on their part, explained that the funds that Ethiopia receives from various international institutions should be used for their intended purpose and these loan agreements should help to accelerate the overall development of the country.

The Minister of Finance, H.E Eyob Tekalegn (PhD), on his part, emphasized that these financial loans from international institutions have a great benefit to complete the development projects started by the country and its citizens.

On the other hand, the House unanimously approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) draft signed between the governments of Ethiopia and Jordan in the field of employment.