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When Morons Design Economic Policy: A Comedy of Errors

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Yihune Ephrem Kassahun Imagine a world where economic policies are crafted by a bunch of well-meaning but utterly clueless individuals. Picture a scenario where the collective wisdom of a group of people who barely passed high school math is applied to a nation's economic strategy. Welcome to the hilarious rollercoaster ride of what happens when morons design economic policy.     The Grand Plan: "Let’s Just Print More Money!"   Our story begins with a groundbreaking idea from the head honcho of the Moron Economic Committee (MEC): “Why don’t we just print more money? That way, everyone will have enough, and no one will be poor!” Sounds foolproof, right? So, they fire up the printing presses. Within weeks, every citizen is a millionaire! Unfortunately, a loaf of bread now costs a billion bucks. Hyperinflation runs rampant, and people start using stacks of cash as building blocks for their kids’ playhouses.   Taxing the Air We Breathe Next on the agend...

Can Ethiopia's Foreign Exchange Overhaul Boost Economic Growth?

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By:  Yihune Ephrem Kassahun In a significant move to streamline its foreign exchange market, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has issued a comprehensive new foreign exchange directive, titled "Foreign Exchange Directive No. FXD/01/2024." This directive aims to establish clear rules, roles, and responsibilities in Ethiopia's foreign exchange landscape, with the goal of fostering greater trade, financial stability, and economic growth.     Key Highlights of the New Directive   The directive, which consolidates and revises various previous regulations, addresses a wide range of foreign exchangerelated activities. Key areas include:     Role of Banks and Authorized Dealers: Clear guidelines are established for the roles and responsibilities of banks and authorized foreign exchange dealers, ensuring a more efficient and transparent market operation.   Exchange Rate Determination: The directive promotes a more open and competitive market...

Unconventional Billionaire: A Hilarious Guide to Wealth in Ethiopia

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  Welcome, aspiring billionaires, to this side-splittingly blog post on how to achieve unimaginable wealth in Ethiopia. Prepare to embark on a laughter-filled journey as we take you through a whimsical tale of unlikely success and hilarious strategies. Remember, this is all in good fun, so let's dive into the world of billionaire dreams!   Once upon a time, in the colorful and vibrant streets of Addis Ababa, lived our protagonist, Ato Yihune Ephrem. Ato Yihune Ephrem was a simple man with big dreams of becoming a billionaire. Armed with a quick wit and an infectious sense of humor, he set out on his extraordinary quest for unimaginable wealth.   Step 1: The "Innovative" Business Idea In his quest for billions, Ato Yihune Ephrem knew that he needed a groundbreaking business idea. He brainstormed day and night, and after countless cups of Ethiopian coffee, he came up with an idea that was so outrageous, it just might work—selling inflatable donkeys as the latest m...

Holy Habits: How Religion Influences Ethiopian Work Ethic (with a Dash of Humor)

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Greetings, fellow readers! Today, we embark on a delightful journey through the intriguing connection between religion and work habits in the vibrant land of Ethiopia. Prepare to be entertained and enlightened as we explore how faith plays a part in shaping the work ethic of the Ethiopian people. And fear not, dear reader, for we shall embark on this adventure with a pinch of humor to keep us smiling along the way!   1. The "Pray and Slay" Routine: In Ethiopia, religion isn't just confined to the walls of the church; it seamlessly integrates into everyday life, including the workplace. Picture this: an Ethiopian employee, armed with heavenly devotion, commences their day by engaging in morning prayers, seeking divine guidance for a productive and successful workday. Armed with divine support, they tackle their tasks with determination and a prayerful spirit, ready to "pray and slay" any challenges that come their way!   2. The "Holy Lunch Break...

Leveraging the Singapore Development Model for Sustainable Economic Growth in Ethiopia

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By: Yihune Ephrem Kassahun  Singapore's remarkable economic transformation over the past decades has made it a global benchmark for successful development. The Singapore Development Model, characterized by strategic planning, proactive government policies, and a focus on human capital, offers valuable insights for Ethiopia's pursuit of sustainable economic growth. In this blog post, we explore the potential benefits of adopting key elements of the Singaporean approach, supported by factual examples, to propel Ethiopia's economy forward.   1. Strategic Planning and Long-Term Vision: Singapore's success can be attributed, in part, to its meticulous strategic planning and long-term vision. For instance, Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB) has been instrumental in formulating and executing long-term plans to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and nurture key industries. Ethiopia can emulate this approach by devising a comprehensive economic strategy,...

Can the BRICS have a common currency?

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  Can the BRICS have a common currency? The Story India is amidst a tug of war. And by that we mean that it’s right in the middle, being pulled by two contrasting decisions. Should it warm up to the idea of having a common BRICS currency? Or, should it be indifferent to the whole idea of it? So  BRICS  is simply an alliance of the world's developing economies. It was actually kickstarted by  Brazil, Russia, India,  and  China  back in  2006  because they felt intimidated by the dominance of goliath economies like Europe and the US. A few years later,  South Africa  jumped in, forming a global economic group that was determined to challenge the world’s wealthy economies. And now BRICS has expanded its membership with  5 more countries  (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates) on board. But the BRICS don’t want to only discuss how they can improve their trade relations. They want a common currency t...