Addis Ababa, April 25, 2024 (FBC) – During its 31st regular session, the Council of Ministers of Ethiopia approved three significant bills and policies aimed at addressing key sectors of national development, including national health policy, agriculture and rural development policy, and Ethiopian Cooperative Commission service fees. Furthermore, a bill concerning proclamation of export trade tax incentive schemes was referred to the parliament for approval with additional inputs.
The council deliberated on the bill aimed at amending the proclamation of export trade tax incentive schemes, with the objective of enhancing foreign currency earnings essential for industrial development and investment, addressing constraints in incentivizing exporters, and bolstering competitiveness through a framework that motivates industry stakeholders.
After thorough discussions on the proposed amendment, the Council unanimously decided to forward it to the parliament for deeper examination and approval.
Next on the agenda, the Council deliberated on the proposed draft regulation outlining the service fee structure to be implemented by the Ethiopian Cooperative Commission for its services. This regulatory draft has been developed with the objective of broadening the range of services rendered by the commission, enhancing the quality of the services, and setting up a system that will partially offset the expenses incurred in delivering services, while considering the economic capabilities of the commission’s customers.
After extensive discussions, the Council unanimously approved the draft regulation to be effective from the date of its publication in the Negarit gazette.
The council also addressed the national health policy, recognizing the need for an updated policy to accommodate the significant increase in the total population, rise in infectious and non-infectious diseases, and changes occurring in health at the national and international level. In response to these challenges, the draft amendment of the national health policy was formulated to address these issues and to devise a policy aligned with the social and economic development of Ethiopia.
Following thorough discussions on the draft health policy, the Council unanimously approved it to be effective from the date of its approval.
Finally, the Council addressed the agriculture and rural development policy. This draft policy was formulated to accommodate the increasing demands of agricultural production and productivity, to reform practices that impede the growth of the agricultural sector, and to establish a policy that aligns with Ethiopia’s multi-sector economic system. According to a post published on social media by the Office of the Prime Minister, this draft aims to integrate the agricultural sector with other economic sectors, conserve and sustainably utilize natural resources, increase agricultural production and productivity, and facilitate structural transformation in rural areas.
As a result, the council unanimously approved the agriculture and rural development policy to be effective from the date of its approval.