{{The International Monetary Fund has urged the Ethiopian government to allow more private investment in areas of the economy that it normally controls as a monopoly.}}
A visiting IMF mission has for the last two weeks been meeting with several top government officials to discuss the country’s economy.
Addis Ababa maintains tight control of companies in key sectors such as telecommunications and financial services.
“It would be important to foster competition in areas where public enterprises enjoy monopolies, and gradually withdrawing from sectors where they crowd out the private sector,” Mr S. Kal Wajid, the head of the IMF mission, said in a statement.
“Ethiopia’s public sector led development strategy has delivered robust growth and rising living standards but is now at crossroads. To sustain growth and employment creation, there is a need to carefully consider the balance between public and private sectors in the economy,” Mr Wajid said.
“A vibrant private sector is essential to attain middle income status.”
Last week, private sector representatives raised the issue of being “crowded” out by state enterprises during a business forum with the country’s prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.
NMG
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