Ethiopian Minister of Mines and Energy Alemayehu Tegenu told Al-Masry Al-Youm there should be no problems in funding a tripartite electricity project with the countries of the eastern Nile basin (Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt), after studies proved the economic and technical benefits of the project. Speaking after a meeting yesterday with his Egyptian counterpart, Hassan Younis, Tegenu also asserted that that a project for exchanging electricity with Sudan will be complete by the end of this year, while one with Djibouti is currently underway. A memorandum of understanding on the issue was also signed with Kenya. Tegenu, the head of an Ethiopian delegation visiting Cairo, noted that all former and current Ethiopian governments have been keen to maintain good relationships with Egypt. He indicated the necessity of benefiting from Egyptian experience in the fields of energy, diplomacy and security, and of supporting relationships between Egypt and Nile basin countries. This can be achieved, Tegenu said, through Egyptian efforts to train citizens, build capacity and exchange experience in different fields including electrical energy, maintenance, renewable and non-renewable energy. In related news, Galal Abul Fotouh, adviser for the Ministry of Finance, announced that the ministry has exempted all goods imported from Nile basin countries from duties. Translated from the Arabic edition.
