By Kassahun Chanie
Today marks the 36th regular meeting of the Ethiopian House of People's Representatives, attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD).
At the event, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that the government's cost-of-living stabilization initiatives have allowed inflation to drop from 30% to 23% in just a year. He explained that the government is working on multiple initiatives to lower the cost of living in Ethiopia, responding to questions from parliamentarians on various topics. The Prime Minister also mentioned that the government has granted tax relief encompassing more than 10 billion birr for food-related imports.
Addressing inquiries from legislators, Prime Minister Abiy provided further explanations and responses. He emphasized that Ethiopia is also affected by the global cost of living crisis, noting that this issue is challenging nations worldwide.
The Prime Minister stated that reducing the gap between supply and demand is the primary solution to this problem. Consequently, the government has focused heavily on increasing productivity, accelerating development, and creating job opportunities.
Regarding cluster farming, PM Abiy reported significant progress in rice, wheat, Bounty of Basket, vegetables and fruits production, as well as in managing feeding centers. He highlighted that this year's crop production was 100 million quintals higher than last year's. The Prime Minister also noted that through the Lemat's legacy initiative (Bounty of Basket), they achieved excellent outcomes in chicken and egg production, helping to lower prices.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister explained that to boost productivity, the government has provided substantial fuel and fertilizer subsidies, alongside more than 10 billion birr in tax breaks for imported food goods.
Premier Abiy emphasized that improving productivity will remain a focus across all sectors in the country, as the government recognizes that inflation continues to pressure low-income individuals. He stressed that the government is attempting to alleviate this strain through coordinated actions.