Ethiopian Minister of Planning and Development said Ethiopian government has been working to ensure inclusive prosperity for the past 6 years.
The minister, Fitsum Assefa (PhD), told PM Office's ‘Ethiopia in Focus’ that Ethiopia is working to ensure sustainable growth in economic, social and environmental issues.
The minister explained that the steps taken by the government over the past years have ensured social inclusion by recording inclusive and participatory growth in all fields.
She explained that the government has registered tangible changes through the policy and legal framework reforms it has implemented.
She mentioned that a new education policy was formulated and implemented in Ethiopia in an inclusive manner, taking into account international and national contexts, and that this has brought about change.
She also said that it has been possible to renovate primary schools and build new classrooms in a participatory manner, enabling them to serve.
Fitsum also explained that the economically disadvantaged sections of the society have been able to benefit from health services through the health insurance system.
The minister also noted that efforts have been made to increase the productivity and ensure inclusiveness of business enterprises in the middle and low-income groups through the provision of finance and land.
In terms of poverty reduction, people-oriented policies have been formulated to help citizens overcome poverty and ensure food security, she added.
Noting extensive investment is being made in the agricultural sector and that the production and productivity of the agricultural sector are increasing for the first time in the country's history, the minister indicated that the country has achieved high yields in major crops, especially wheat production in Ethiopia, which is particularly impressive.
She further highlighted that the Lemmat Trufat or Bounty of Baskets Initiative which has been implemented to transform the food system by increasing the productivity of honey, meat, milk and eggs, is yielding results.
Among other success stories, the minister emphasized that reforms in urban agriculture, gender, urban housing development, infrastructure, digital economy and financial institutions have also ensured social inclusion and laid the foundation for ensuring the overall prosperity of the country.