Plans to construct new oil pipeline from Ethiopia to Djibouti

US Assistant Secretary of State Antony Blinken has concluded a two-day visit to Djibouti, which saw the announcement of important new programmes. These initiatives included:

• Plans to construct a pipeline carrying oil from Ethiopia's Awash region to Djibouti. Black Rhino, an American company that invests in African infrastructure development, will fund the project, which will also include the creation of new oil storage facilities in Djibouti. Work will begin in June 2016.
• The signing of a US$1 million grant agreement provided by the US Agency for International Development, which will support community programmes for women, young people and vulnerable groups.
• The launch of Djibouti's first international school of English with an American curriculum, operated by Quality Schools International.

Mr Blinken led the US delegation that attended the second annual US-Djibouti Binational Forum. During his visit, Mr Blinken held talks with HE Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, the President of the Republic Djibouti.

Mr Blinken praised the "quality of friendship and co-operation between the two countries and its two peoples". He said that the Binational Forum provided a "valuable opportunity to exchange ideas concerning the implementation of multiple initiatives and partnerships.”

"Djibouti is one of the few African countries maintaining a privileged partnership with the US concerning energy and economic developments," he said.

The US contributes more than US$100 million a year to Djibouti's economy and is one of the country's largest employers. More than 1700 Djiboutians work at Camp Lemonnier, the only permanent US military base in Africa.

Mr Blinken announced that more local companies would be able to obtain work contracts from Camp Lemonnier through the Djibouti First programme.

Edited from source by Stephanie Roker

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/10022016/plans-to-construct-new-oil-pipeline-from-ethiopia-to-djibouti/