The man who tried to make dictatorship acceptable Aug 24th
The man who tried to make dictatorship acceptable
My stay and visit to Ethiopia has been for a short while and certainly visible changes from the time I first visited in 2002 & now, about 2 years back; things have changed for better.
From second hand left hand drive Lada that was seen earlier;& perhaps more than Moscow,to the current times, there has been a sea change.
Earlier except Amharic, it was difficult to communicate but now people speak English as well in Addis.
But I still felt the same iron like viscous grip on business through regional councils and bankings are still extremely regressive and primitive, but they exist now.
Sadly even Addis has evolved around Bole Road and towards airport. I had the opportunity to travel upcountry several times and then one can see the grandeur of Rift valley in social rift between Addis & rest of the rural Ethiopia.
It is appalling that even today the minimum wages in Ethiopia is 12 Birr & a dollar can today buy you about 18 Birr.
This touting attracted many entrepreneurs from neighbouring countries to set up ventures that are labour intensive; construction, floriculture, agriculture etc.
What he,Meles Zenawi, did is commendable compared to what he inherited. But that also leaves a huge opportunity for the new leadership to do much more, provided the much needed democracy is opened up akin the overhang of the erstwhile Communist regime. May his soul rest in peace and bless Ethiopia, which is beautiful country waiting to come out of its cocoon and fly like a free butterfly.
From second hand left hand drive Lada that was seen earlier;& perhaps more than Moscow,to the current times, there has been a sea change.
Earlier except Amharic, it was difficult to communicate but now people speak English as well in Addis.
But I still felt the same iron like viscous grip on business through regional councils and bankings are still extremely regressive and primitive, but they exist now.
Sadly even Addis has evolved around Bole Road and towards airport. I had the opportunity to travel upcountry several times and then one can see the grandeur of Rift valley in social rift between Addis & rest of the rural Ethiopia.
It is appalling that even today the minimum wages in Ethiopia is 12 Birr & a dollar can today buy you about 18 Birr.
This touting attracted many entrepreneurs from neighbouring countries to set up ventures that are labour intensive; construction, floriculture, agriculture etc.
What he,Meles Zenawi, did is commendable compared to what he inherited. But that also leaves a huge opportunity for the new leadership to do much more, provided the much needed democracy is opened up akin the overhang of the erstwhile Communist regime. May his soul rest in peace and bless Ethiopia, which is beautiful country waiting to come out of its cocoon and fly like a free butterfly.