Ethiopian SMEs receive orders via e-mail despite the non-existence of an online payment system

A survey conducted on Addis based SME exporters as part of the country study on the role of ICTs in trade and economic growth in Ethiopia revealed that approximately 45% receive their orders through e-mail, however, payments cannot be done online, says Dr. Assefa Admassie, an economist and a member of the study team. more...

Programme

 Mon, 26 February 2007

9:00 - 9:30

Registration of Participants

9:30 - 10:30

Session I: Opening session

Chair: Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, OIC, ICT and Science and Technology Division, ECA

Welcoming remarks: Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, OIC, ICT and Science and Technology Division, ECA

Opening speech: H.E. Mr. Tadesse Haile, State Minister of Trade and Industry, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia [Format: ] [Lang: English]

Presentation: The ICTs, Trade and Economic Growth Initiative, Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, OIC, ICT and Science and Technology Division, ECA [Format: ] [Lang: English]

10:30 - 10:50

Coffee Break

10:50 - 13:00

Session II: Presentation of the Study – ICTs, Trade and Economic Growth in Ethiopia (Part I)

Chair: Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, OIC, ICT and Science and Technology Division, ECA

Presentation: Study Objective & methodology - Dr. Assefa Admassie
Trade Landscape, & Policy Assessment - Dr. Assefa Admassie [Format: ] [Lang: English]

Discussions

13:00 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00 - 15:30

Session III: Presentation of the Study – ICTs, Trade and Economic Growth in Ethiopia (Part II)

Chair: Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, OIC, ICT and Science and Technology Division, ECA

Presentation: ICT Landscape, Policy and Regulatory Environment - Ms. Woubalem Taye [Format: ] [Lang: English]

Discussions

15:30 - 16:10

Coffee Break

16:10 - 17:30

Session IV: Presentation of the Study – ICTs, Trade and Economic Growth in Ethiopia (Part III)

Presentation: Private Sector Readiness for e-Business – Dr. Assefa Admassie;
Discussions

 Tue, 27 February 2007

9:00 - 10:30

Session V: Discussion session

Chair: Mr. Afework Temtime, Information Network Officer, ISTD, ECA

Issue – 1 Policy related issues

Issue – 2 Legal and regulatory framework

Issue – 3 Private sector readiness

Issue – 4 The Way Forward

Discussions

10:30 - 10:50

Coffee Break

10:50 - 13:00

Discussion session continues

13:00 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00 - 15:30

Session V: Reports of the Discussion Session and Closing

Chair: Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, OIC, ICT and Science and Technology Division, ECA

Presentations: Dr. Assefa Admassie and Ms. Woubalem Taye

Closing remarks: Ato Debretsion Gebremichael, Director-General, Ethiopian Information and Communication Technology Development Agency

Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, OIC, ICT and Science and Technology Division, ECA