GERD Office Urges Ethiopians, Foreigners of Ethiopian Origin to Continue Supporting Dam

Addis Ababa, September 21/2023(ENA) The Office of National Coordination for the Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has called on Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin to further strengthen their support for the construction of the dam.

The office has launched a month-long national fundraising campaign for the construction of the dam today.

GERD Office Deputy Director Fikirte Tamir said the fundraising program is prepared in collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental organizations.

The office expects to collect from 500 to 700 million Birr through the program.

Recalling the various support the public has been for the construction of the dam, the deputy director urged the people to further intensify their support.

She revealed that a digital fund-raising system has been set up where Ethiopians residing abroad and foreigners of Ethiopian origin can extend financial support for the dam.

Ethiopian Development Bank Capital Market and Resource Mobilization  Head Dawit Amare said on his part that the bank is managing the GERD Bond.

He also disclosed that coupons worth over 3 billion Birr were distributed to regions for the fundraising program.

Anyone who wants to support the dam can go to selected financial institutions where bond sales are held and buy bonds, the head said.

The GERD Office plans to collect 1.5 billion Birr this Ethiopian fiscal year.