Premier Appoints Deputy to Chair MetEC Board

Demeke Mekonnen, deputy prime minister, has been appointed by the Prime Minister to chair the board of directors of the state owned Metals & Engineering Corporation (MetEC), replacing Minister of Defence, Siraj Fergessa.

Siraj will, however, remain a member of the board, which added Fetleworq G. Egziyabher, recently elected as deputy chair of TPLF. Chief of Staff Samora Yenus (Gen.) sits in the board alongside Ahmed Abitew, minister of Industry.

Founded eight years ago, MetEC started operations with a registered capital of 10 billion Br and aiming to help the small and medium-sized enterprises to transform in the manufacturing industry. It is run by Kinfe Dagnew (Maj. Gen.).

Incorporating over 70 companies, the Enterprise, a state-owned military-industrial complex, is often criticised by MPs for delaying the nation’s mega projects, including the 10 sugar plants planned to get constructed in 2015 but has yet to realise them.

Its new board chairperson, Demeke, was formerly the Minister of Education for five years from 2008. Chairman of the ANDM, he was also a Deputy President of the Amhara Regional State and Head of Capacity Building Bureau for three years.
Source: Addis Fortune