Addis Ababa, June 14, 2024 (FBC) – During its 35th regular session held today, the Ethiopian Council of Ministers passed decisions on key economic bills, including the banking sector legislation, loan agreements with IDA, property tax, and impact assessments of development projects.
Initially, the Council deliberated on a bill aimed at ratifying the loan agreement signed between the Ethiopian government and the International Development Association (IDA) for the Second Urban Water Supply and Sanitation projects. The loan, worth 207,200,000 US dollars, will be utilized to enhance drinking water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services, as well as to bolster the performance capabilities of the sector. Notably, the loan is interest-free, with a service charge of 0.75%, and will be repaid over a period of 38 years, including a 6-year grace period.
Next, the Council discussed the Property Tax Proclamation, which aims to achieve an equitable distribution of wealth among the urban population, facilitate the provision of government services with improved quality and modern standards, and help collect investment costs for continuous urban infrastructure development through taxes imposed due to property value growth. The proclamation will be applicable in cities across the country, and it will enable regional states to create and issue their own property tax laws based on the central proclamation in accordance with their specific circumstances.
The third item on the agenda was a draft proclamation for the National Bank of Ethiopia. It was noted that the existing proclamation, which has been in place for the past 16 years, has several gaps in the implementation of a prosperity plan that involves all development actors, in terms of international experience and principles, the best practices of peer central banks, the effectiveness of monetary policy, and financial self-sufficiency. Various economic, financial, technological, and geopolitical changes have also occurred both domestically and internationally over the years. In that regard, the proclamation amendment bill was prepared considering these issues in order to achieve the country’s central bank mission of establishing a healthy financial system, stabilizing prices, and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
The Council also deliberated on a draft bill on the Banking Business Proclamation. Following Ethiopia’s decision to open the banking sector to foreign banks, it was stated that it is necessary to establish a legal and regulatory system to guide, determine, and manage licensing.
In that regard, the Banking Business Proclamation opens the banking sector to foreign investment, allowing foreign banks to invest in domestic banks through subsidiaries, branches, or shares. It places foreign bank representatives under the regulatory umbrella of the National Bank and introduces prompt corrective actions for problem banks. The proclamation also establishes a regulatory sandbox for introducing new financial services and grants resolution authority to the National Bank of Ethiopia to address failing banks and minimize costs for customers, while modifying the composition of commercial banks’ Board of Directors.
Moreover, the Council discussed a bill pertaining to environmental and social impact assessment of development projects, which stipulates the activities that must be implemented to avoid or reduce negative effects by predicting the effects before implementation of development projects.
After extensive discussion on the above five draft bills, the Council unanimously decided to forward tem to the House of People’s Representatives for further consideration and endorsement.
Finally, the Council deliberated on the reform and capital enhancement plan of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), which includes enhancing the bank’s administrative efficiency, making the financial statements sound and acceptable, and improving the government’s financial provision to help increase the bank’s capital.
After extensive deliberation, the Council unanimously approved CBE’s reform plan to be implemented and take effect since its date of approval.