Ethiopia establishes national council to boost construction industry

ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government officially launched the Construction Industry Transformation Council on Monday in a bid to add new impetus to the country's growing construction sector.

The council, to be chaired by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, has brought together government ministries and stakeholders from public and private entities. It is expected to serve as a consultative platform.

Aisha Mohammed, Ethiopian Construction Minister, said during the launching ceremony on Monday that the council "will immensely contribute to the sector's sustainable development through the development of new ideas, policies and recommendations regarding the current state of the construction industry in the country."

As Ethiopia's construction sector keeps expanding, with its contribution to the east African country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) currently standing at around 9 percent, the newly established council is expected to tackle major challenges affecting the sector's general development.

"The council will serve as an impetus towards the sustainable development of our country's construction industry," Aisha said.

Construction sector contractors, regional administrative officials, city mayors, and professional associations are also said to be part of the council.

The draft bill for the establishment of the council was ratified by the Ethiopian council of ministers in October. Enditem