China's ZTE donates ICT classroom to Ethiopia primary school

Chinese telecom company ZTE on Wednesday donated an information and communication technology (ICT) classroom to a primary school, Maj. Gen. Hayelom Araya Primary School in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, as part of its commitment to continuing its corporate responsibility in Africa.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony of the donation held on the premises of the school, Anders Karlborg, Vice President of ZTE Corporation, said ZTE would continue its corporate responsibility with various forms of support to the communities whereby the Company does its businesses.

"In Ethiopia we have done business more than 15 years today," said the Vice President, "Of course, we are not only delivering equipment and delivering services in telecommunication area, we also take our responsibility for the social responsibility here."

"One of our global strategies is corporate responsibility to make sure bridging the gap between different countries, making sure they have good future for our students, our children in this country," he said.

In his remarks on the occasion, La Yifan, Ambassador of China to Ethiopia, commended ZTE for its committed corporate responsibility in Ethiopia, which is also promoting friendship between the peoples of Ethiopia and China.

He also expressed firm belief that other Chinese companies are following same suit of ZTE to implement their social responsibility by providing support to the communities whereby they do businesses.

Stating that China encourages the Chinese companies to develop businesses in cooperation with their Ethiopian counterparts, the ambassador said his country also encourages the Chinese companies to shoulder social corporate responsibility here in the country.

"We also encourage the Chinese businesses to shoulder corporate social responsibilities as mentioned that the Chinese businesses are engaged not only in business activities but they are also engaged in water supply projects; in building up schools, donation of free meals to schools, planting of trees, preserving environment, provide clean drinking water to the local people, to name just a few," noted La.

Gebeyehu Workineh, ICT Directorate Head at the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, said ZTE has been supporting many disadvantaged children in different parts of the country.

"The Ministry highly appreciates the endeavors of the government and the people of China in general and ZTE in particular for the supports in achieving quality of education in my country, Ethiopia," he said,

"In the last few years, ZTE has been supporting many disadvantaged children, and many areas in Ethiopia. They (ZTE) are also working with us the Ministry of Education, particularly with my department, with 120 secondary schools, they are working effectively."

Emphasizing the role ICT plays in enhancing quality education in the internet era, Mekdes Mintesnot, Chief Information Officer of Ethio Telecom, has lauded ZTE's activities in the telecom industry for the last 15 years in Ethiopia.

"For this I want to thank ZTE again for the donation, which will enhance this young generation which are targeted for the future of this country," said Mekdes.

Sileshi Girma, Head of Maj. Gen. Hayelom Araya Primary School, has commended ZTE for the support the Company has made to the school. Endit