The 7th CG Meeting of MIDROC Ethiopia Investment Group Companies Conducted

The Seventh Consultative Group (CG) Meeting of General Managers/Executives of MIDROC Ethiopia Investment Group and Affiliate Companies hosted by MOHA Soft Drinks Industry S.C. (MOHA) took place on October 15, 2009, at Beshale Hotel, Addis Ababa.  All Executives of the Group Companies and Senior Advisors of MIDROC Ethiopia were present at the Meeting. 

The Meeting started at 9.00 a.m. with the introduction of the Day’s program by Ato Negussie Aberra, Representative of the CG Secretariat, and invitation to Ato Getachew Birbo, the Chief Executive Officer of MOHA, to make his welcoming speech.  Ato Teklu Haile, Chairman of the CG, made the opening statement.  Ato Teklu on his brief and focused statement underpinned the objectives of the CG Meeting and welcomed all present and declared the Meeting opened.

During the Meeting, presentations were made by two invited guest speakers:  Dr. Derk Bienen, Managing Partner, bkp Development, Research and Consulting Co., Germany, and Dr. Gabor Bruszt, co-owner of GBZ Business Advisors and Chief Management Consultant in the AF Group - a major Technology Consulting Firm in Sweden.  Professor Johannes Kinfu, Director, Training Department of MIDROC Ethiopia and Deputy General Manager of MIDROC Education and Training Institute (METI), was the moderator.  The coming of the guest speakers was facilitated by the Private Sector Development (PSD) Hub of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (AACCSA).  The thematic topic of the presentation was “Ethiopia’s Accession to the WTO and challenges ahead and Corporate Governance.”  The thematic topic selected for presentation at the Meeting was believed to have raised awareness.

The CG Meeting, during the deliberations was introduced to the new coming members:  Unlimited Packaging Plant (a new corrugated carton making plant project completed only recently) represented by the General Manager, Captain Fikre Negussie, and Vision Aluminum Plc., (also a recently incorporated business entity), represented by its Deputy General Manager, Mrs. Gamze Eyel, among others, briefed their companies activities and business focus to the Group.

Ato Getachew Birbo, CEO of MOHA Soft Drinks Industry S.C. gave an enlightening account of MOHA’s activities, development endeavors and performance achieved so far, as well as the plan for the future.  He disclosed that MOHA’s production capacity has grown by over 400%, and employment by 150%, compared to 1996, the time of acquisition.  He thanked all stakeholders for the cooperation and effort they put in this development and particularly, Sheikh Mohammed H. Al-Amoudi, Owner and Chairman of MIDROC Ethiopia, for his guidance, encouragement and unreserved assistance ever since the time of acquisition.  Sheikh Mohammed, it was emphasized, made the necessary huge direct capital injections every time these were required and graciously allowed all profits MOHA made to be ploughed back into the company.  Total investment made so far in this respect was reported to be in the order of Birr One Billion.

At the end, the Chairman of the CG, Ato Teklu Haile thanked all present, the guest speakers and AACCA’s PSD Hub for their contributions and participation towards making the Meeting a successful one.  Ato Teklu stressed on the need to push hard and strive with commitment in order for each and all to become even more strong.  He also noted  the stiff global competition already being felt and those that are due to come in a more subtle manner after Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO in 2013; and these need commensurate preparedness from our end.

The 7th CG Meeting was concluded at 2:15 p.m. after a visit of the Summit Pepsi Cola Plant by the Group.

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