Meles holds talks with DFID African Director
Addis Ababa, May 11, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - African Director of the British Department for International Development (DFID) Dave Fish said the development aid of his organization to Ethiopia has been increased to 130 million Pound from 90 million. He said the assistance will be growing in the years ahead. After talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi here on Thursday, Dave Fish told journalists that DFID's development cooperation with Ethiopia was being enhanced.
The amount of development aid DFID had earmarked for Ethiopia's safety net and other development projects amounted to about 90 million Pound. The amount has been increased to about 130 million Pound this year, he added.
DFID's development assistance to Ethiopia was geared towards the safety net program, basic services and capacity building of the public sector, Fish said.
Many poor people in the country have been benefiting from DFID-financed development projects in the country, he indicated.
Fish said his discussions with the prime minister focused on DFID's development assistance to Ethiopia and situations in the horn of Africa including that in Somalia.
Prime Minister Meles recognizes the growth in DFID's financing of development projects in Ethiopia, an official of the ministry of finance and economic cooperation who attended the meeting said.
Meles, according to the official, briefed Fish about the current realities in Somalia.
(ENA)
