July 22, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Thursday announced to further broaden the existing partnership with Ethiopia on a number of areas.

Ethiopian prime minister Haile Mariam Desalegn (Photo: Getty Images)

The world’s largest philanthropic organization, expressed significance to enhance development of the agriculture, health, rural development as well as development engagements on women and children.

The announcement was made in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday by visiting Bill Gates, Co-founder of Microsoft and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation he held a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.

The two sides discussed on new areas of cooperation which will be implemented during the next decade.

Bill Gates was briefed in detail on Ethiopia’s second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP-II) and 2025 target during when the horn of Africa’s nation intends to turn itself into a middle income nation.

Arkebe Oqubay, Special Adviser to the Ethiopian Prime Minister, who attended the meeting told reporters that Gates Foundation has been an important development partner in Ethiopia’s health and agriculture sectors.

He said it has provided substantial support to back Ethiopia’s five year long first Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP I) which completed recently.

According to Dr Arkebe, the meeting between the premier and Bill gates created “a good opportunity to listen advice from the founder of the philanthropic organization and the type of support his foundation would offer for the country”

Foundation’s Deputy Director to Africa and Representative to Ethiopia and African Union, Haddis Tadesse, told reporters that foundation’s keenness to diversify its engagement in Ethiopia in a range of sectors.

According to Haddis, the new areas of cooperation due to be implemented in the coming ten years include climate change, rural development, agricultural commercialization, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.

Bill Gates has also met Ethiopian foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom and conferred on Ethiopia’s growing economy, agriculture and the health sector, particularly in the buildup of health extension workers.

“There are best experiences here in Ethiopia that other countries should share” Gates said adding “We need to have further platforms to bring about financial empowerment”

Launched in 2000, Gates Foundation has been working to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, globally and expand educational opportunities and access to information technology in America.

It is committed to the eradication of malaria and polio, and controlling the spread of tuberculosis and HIV.

In Ethiopia, in particular, Gates Foundation has been actively engaged in the implementation of 150 development projects worth over 500 million US dollars.

(ST)