MILLs, Korea Exim Bank explore ways of supporting irrigation projects in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, November 17, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopian delegation headed by the Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLs), Ms. Aisha Mohammed, discussed with the leadership of the Exim Bank of the Republic of South Korea to explore ways of supporting the irrigation projects planned by the ministry.

During the occasion, Ms. Aisha Mohamed, said that Ethiopia has more than 10 million hectares of land with a high water potential that can be exploited for irrigation.

However, the country has not yet tapped it effectively and efficiently. For this reason, it is frequently affected by drought and floods, the MILLs Minister underscored.

She said that for the past four years, her country has been working diligently on irrigated wheat cultivation to realize food self-sufficiency.

In that regard, the discussion is said to be vital in securing support from Korea Exim Bank for the construction of irrigation infrastructure in Ethiopia. The Minister has appealed for the Bank’s financial support, knowledge transfer and experience sharing to her Ministry’s endeavors.

For his part, Korea Exim Bank Executive Director, Hwang Ki-yeon, pointed out that the Bank has requested study and design documents to support the Borena and Sululta groundwater irrigation development.

He said that the Bank will continue to support the construction of irrigation infrastructure after reviewing the submitted documents and verifying whether they meet the bank’s requirements, in that regard.