A survey conducted on Addis based SME exporters as part of the country study on the role of ICTs in trade and economic growth in Ethiopia revealed that approximately 45% receive their orders through e-mail, however, payments cannot be done online, says Dr. Assefa Admassie, an economist and a member of the study team.

Dr. Assefa was presenting the findings of the study to a round table comprising ICT experts from the Ethiopian Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (EICTDA), and representatives from the National Bank of Ethiopia, the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, the Ethiopian Customs Authority, among others.

Participants to the two day round table also included the Director-General, EICTDA, Mr. Debretsion Gebremichael, who in his concluding remarks requested the consultants to finalise the study by incorporating suggestions so as to present a complete picture of the readiness of Ethiopia to undertake e-commerce activities.

In her concluding remarks, Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, OIC, ISTD, assured participants that ECA would continue to work with the EICTDA in the follow up activities once the final report is received from the consultants.

The findings of the study will also be tabled to a larger audience mainly comprised of the private sector during a half day symposium to be held on 28 February 2007 on the role of ICT for Trade and Investment. The symposium is organized as part of the 11th Addis Chamber International Trade Fair by the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation, EICTDA and ECA.