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Ethiopia: India Eyes Coop in Low Cost Housing Sector
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The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)
17 April 2008
Posted to the web 17 April 2008
Menase Kifle
Addis Abeba
India is keen to share its rich experience in the housing construction and directly involve in the sector to help alleviate Ethiopia's housing problems, Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia said on Tuesday.
Ambassador Gurjit Singh was speaking at the opening of a three-day exhibition and seminar organized with a view to create a venue for showcasing India' building materials and sharing its experience to those in the sector.
The seminar focused on recycling waste, creating innovative technologies, utilizing local materials and focusing on eco - friendly and sustainable patterns of production.
The seminar also focused on the benefits of recycling waste so as to have a more firm grip on the constantly changing economic as well as climate change.
Gurijit said he hoped this experience in sharing ideas and technology will give way for a new paradigm of cooperation between the two countries.
He noted that India's cooperation scheme in the sector also considered Ethiopia's environment concerns including its poverty reduction strategies.
Gurijit said a viable venture was possible for the two countries in their stride to grow together while facing various global challenges through the sharing of various experiences and resources.
The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of India's Vice Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Dr Harjit S. Anand and State Minister for the Ministry of Works and Urban Development Arkebe Iqubai Anand said India was willing to share ideas on how Ethiopia can best manage to be self reliant in terms of construction and building materials and thereby produce affordable housing for the low and middle income citizens.
The vice minister elaborated on how various building materials can be manufactured at low cost by making use of industrial and other waste materials such as wheat straw , rice husk etc..
He added that the use of alternate industrial waste gives rise to the use of less energy making the climate more secure by reducing pollution.
Dr Anand also met and held discussions with Dr Kasu Ilala Minister of the ministry of works and Urban Development, according to a statement from the Indian Embassy.
Arkebe in his speech on the occasion emphasized that the Ethiopian government adheres to its responsibilities for urban housing and urban poverty alleviation and added factors such as housing shortages, low income and unemployment as being the primary manifestations of urban poverty in Ethiopia.
He said the government was currently implementing a five year integrated housing development program with the aim of constructing 400,000 housing units in cities and towns of Ethiopia over the coming three years.
He added that the program would benefit low and middle income urban residents as well as create employment opportunities and reduce slum dwellings.
Finally the minister requested that the ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation of India and the ministry of works and urban development of Ethiopia work together in the development and transfer of cost efficient and appropriate building materials and technology.
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Mr. Arkebe Iqubai inaugurated the exhibition where various building materials such as Burnt Clay Brick, Solid / Hollow Cement Concrete Block, Flyash Brick / Block ,Red Mud Brick , Bamboo etc.. Manufactured from different wastes materials were on display.
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