Interviews - MarcoPolis

Umesh Davera, General Manager of Horizon Addis Tyre Company (Midroc Group Ethiopia)
Ethiopia is a land-locked country and so it has to rely primarily on the road transportion. The country has undoubtedly a great potential for growing its own rubber, especially in the Bebeka area where, according to the latest research, the climate seems to be ideal for rubber plantations. Nevertheless for the time being, about 75% of tyres is being imported from abroad.

Midroc Group: Helping Ethiopia develop into a middle income country

January 16, 2014

Jemal Ahmed, Chairman of Horizon Company (Midroc Group Ethiopia)
Midroc Group started about twenty years ago when there was no foreign investment in Ethiopia. Sheik Mohammed Al Amoudi’s committed to Ethiopia to trigger the development and create job opportunities. Midroc is today involved in numerous sectors of Ethiopian economy…

Ethiopia Tourism Interviews

Long-term accommodation in Addis Ababa: Residence Suite Hotel Addis Ababa

January 16, 2014

Martha Adugna, Owner and General Manager of The Residence Suite Hotel (Addis Ababa)
Despite being in operation since late May 2013, the Residence Suite Hotel (Addis Ababa) reached full occupancy in just four months. This niche hotel offers both short- and long-term accommodation in its 19 spacious luxury rooms.

Ethiopia Tourism Interviews

Addis Ababa is becoming a hub for international conferences and meetings in Africa, says UN Conference Center

January 13, 2014

Gerard Hounkponou, Chief of UN Conference Centre (Conference Coordination Unit, Conference Services Section)
The UN Conference Centre in Addis Ababa has a particular mandate which is not only attending to government conferences but also to the great number of conferences in relation to NGOs and civil society organizations. In partnership with the Ethiopian government, the goal is to market Addis Ababa as a conference hub in Africa, thus exposing local investment opportunities and attracting new flow of investments into Ethiopia.

Ethiopia Construction & Engineering Interviews Ethiopia Real Estate Interviews

Flintstone Engineering: 22 years of quality construction in Ethiopia

January 13, 2014

Tsedeke Yihune, Owner of Flintstone Engineering
Established in 1991, Flintstone Engineering has been in the business of engineering for construction for the last 22 years. 5 years ago the company moved into the real estate business. Flintstone Engineering’s revenue increased sevenfold over the last 5 years.

Ethiopia Banking Interviews

Enat Bank: Empowering Women of Ethiopia

January 10, 2014

Meaza Ashenafi, Chairperson of Enat Bank
In Ethiopia, private banks has been flourishing since 1994. The story of Enat Bank is indeed very inspirational. “We wanted to change the narrative; we wanted to change the story about women and finance, and women and economic empowerment. So it was eleven women who came together and decided to start this bank,” explains Meaza Ashenafi. “It became a brand and it became quite powerful because in Ethiopia, the literal meaning of Enat is “mother” but it goes beyond that. It’s about loyalty, care, embracing, foundation, and even about earth.”

Ethiopia HP Top Interviews Ethiopia Interviews Ethiopia Investments Interviews

Agriculture is the most attractive investment opportunity in Ethiopia, says Addis Chamber of Commerce

January 9, 2014

Getachew Regassa, Secretary General of Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations
“Ethiopia has shown serious growth in the last 10 years. Just last year we had a 9.7% GDP growth. There is also a lot of development of infrastructure going on and a vibrant business interaction in the city. The results of the economic growth that we are seeing are stimulating the business, trade and service industry,” notes Mr Getachew Regassa.

Falcon Group Iraq Security Kurdistan Interviews

Falcon Security: One of the Best Security Companies in Iraq

January 8, 2014

Falcon Security was established in 2003 as one of the first companies to be registered not only in Iraq but also as a local company. Falcon Security, a part of Falcon Group, is currently employing 540 local people and about 75 expats. Their main business is in the oil service; providing security services for the executives and employees as they move back and forth to the oil fields. Falcon Security operates all over Iraq; from Basra to Baghdad to Kirkuk to Erbil.

Falcon Group Kurdistan HP Top Interviews Kurdistan Oil and Gas Kurdistan Oil and Gas Interviews

Falcon Oil & Gas: Becoming the Leader in Rental Equipment and Warehousing in Iraq

January 8, 2014

Falcon Oil and Gas (Falcon Group) began its operations in early 2013. The company provides specialized rental equipment and warehousing facilities to the major oil and gas companies and also service companies that are working in Iraqi Kurdistan. Falcon Oil and Gas aims to attract more international companies to the region through various joint ventures.

Libya Banking Interviews Libya HP Top Interviews Libya Interviews

National Commercial Bank: Strategy to Become the Best Bank in Libya

January 8, 2014

Suleiman E. Alazzabi, Managing Director of National Commercial Bank (NCB)
National Commercial Bank expects 5 to 10% growth of the Libyan banking sector in 2013/2014. As a part of their strategy, National Commercial Bank plans to establish a financial leasing company that will merge the traditional commercial side with the Islamic one, and an IT company. The Bank’s vision is to be the market leader in terms of transparency, quality and quantity of products. The MD is sure the National Commercial Bank will differentiate from other Libyan banks in terms of services and transparency during 2014/2015.