PM Abiy Pins Smooth Public Service Delivery on Mesob Project

A single window that integrates the functions of eight ministries for nearly 20 services is set to be unveiled within a month and a half, according to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). Dubbed Mesob in reference to the Ethiopian culinary tradition where several meals are featured on a single platter, the service will host licensing, permits, and other regulatory functions through an integrated access point. Abiy indicated that the project was developed locally by the Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Planning and Development.

“All ministries will be included in due course,” the PM noted.

He added the days of going to the revenues ministry to pay taxes, the trade ministry to obtain a business license, and the bank to get money would be replaced by the Mesob system. Abiy noted the importance of virtually assisting and replacing several public functions to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.

“This is a major milestone for all Ethiopians,” he said.

The revelations came as the Prime Minister addressed parliamentarians for the half-year budget performance review of the federal government.

MPs raised questions spanning trepidations on delayed fertilizer shipments, lack of infrastructure in cities around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), and economic hardships stemming from the impacts of the integrated Corridor Development Project. Some MPs also questioned recent figures indicating a sharp decline in inflation, citing how the cost of living appeared to be soaring.

Abiy assured parliamentarians that the 8.4% GDP growth target for the year would be achieved as the government continues to build on economic successes over the past eight months. He pointed out the revenue collection targets had experienced significant growth as tax income reached 580 billion birr despite sluggish success when viewed in light of the GDP.

“We are still trying to achieve a tax-to-GDP ratio of 7%,” Abiy said.

The PM also pointed out that Ethiopia was nearing the finalization of debt restructuring negotiations while having saved around 3.5 billion dollars so far due to interim debt suspensions. He suggested that Ethiopia’s external debt stock was the result of years of mismanaged concessional loans on incomplete projects.

Abiy underscored his belief that the 3.5-billion-dollar debt restructuring was a smaller target compared to the objective of attaining total debt cancellation.

“We believe that Africa has been burdened by improper debt,” the PM added.

Ethiopia is currently implementing an economic program supported by the International Monetary Fund since July of last year, which has entailed cross-cutting reforms. The Birr has been floated, a rapid cutback on energy subsidies has been pursued and several foreign currency restrictions have been removed.

The country, which was juggling FX reserves enough for about three weeks of imports just last year, has accumulated reserve levels unattained in Ethiopia’s history, according to the PM. He also reported soaring commodities exports of 4.5 billion dollars in the past eight months, which will be higher than any single-year achievement at the current pace.

Abiy also highlighted significant success in battling inflation as the figure dropped by nearly half to around 15% year on year. He said surgical operations to remove direct lending from the central bank, expansion of Sunday markets, and increased productivity paid dividends.

Abiy also staunchly defended the corridor development project, which has entailed an aesthetic revival of several cities as physical embodiments of development.

“Several African countries are asking for our insights,” said the Prime Minister.