Commentary - Making the PM’s Vision a Reality RL Vol XIII No 406 MMXIX

Commentary –

PM Abiy’s speech at the WEF in Davos:

Making the PM’s Visionary Thought, a Reality

Public Lecture – Respublica Litereria - RL Vol XIII No 406 MMXIX

Costantinos Berhutesfa Costantinos, PhD

Professor of Public Policy & Sustainable Institutional Reforms

https://addisababa.academia.edu/CostyCostantinos

Let me start my commentary by the answers of PM Abiy to the last questions presented to him at the Davos lecture. PM Abiy said that Ethiopia is open for business now and everyone is welcome to a democratic Ethiopia and its liberalised economy. On a general note, Abiy’s speech at Davos indicates a major shift from his party’s ideological leanings of ‘revolutionary democracy’ and ‘democratic developmental state’. Abiy addresses an international audience for the first time at a summit in the WEF in Davos, heralding his ‘medemer’ idea at the outset, declaring that we must all walk together to go far. On political liberalisation, although Ethiopia has a long way to go, Abiy said he released thousands of political detainees and he lifted the state of emergency with a view to foster democracy. He has made peace with Eritrea. In October 2018, he appointed women in half the ministerial posts, and followed it by nominating Ethiopia’s first female president and first female president of the federal Supreme Court.

On the economy, he said that although Ethiopia is growing at 8% and above per annum, his government would work on the liberalisation of the economy and attracting international capital and expertise. His aim is to launch public private partnerships (PPP) for balanced long-term, inclusive and sustainable growth and development for citizens to realise their full potential. Business and government relations will be substantially improved. He said that he would make the private sector and private capital the centre of Ethiopia’s transformational development.

On regional integration and openness, he said that Addis is the seat of the AU, and hence, his aim to contribute the African common economic community and Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO. He said peace and harmony are important for Africa. Therefore, his vision of a collective effort for Africa’s common growth. Investing in the African continent has high returns that will catalyse structural transformation. He said we must lead by example to transform the continent. He concluded his speech by saying that Ethiopia’s over 9% economic growth for over a decade is testimony to his government’s commitment for promoting growth and invite investors to come and see of what we offer – tourism, business, leisure. Nevertheless, what does it take to make his speech a reality?

An efficient and a development-oriented private sector provides the nourishment, which markets require to grow and function effectively. Markets themselves provide the credit ingredients, which the private sector requires to grow, expand and contribute to devel­opment. Thus, there is a reciprocal and mutually productive rela­tionship between the private sector and credit and capital markets. The commentary focuses on political liberalisation & democracy, participatory policy development, public governance and administration, civil society development, mind-set of the civil service and diplomacy and nation branding. It further augurs on setting up a cabinet think tank to support the PM and the academia’s essential task. On the economy, it dwells on economic and social governance, liberalisation of state owned enterprises, the private sector & capital, joining WTO, regional integration and regional peace as the goal.

See commentary here or https://www.academia.edu/38358031/Commentary_-_Making_the_PM_s_Vision_a_Reality_RL_Vol_XIII_No_406_MMXIX