December 2008: Ethio-German Contractors Associations team up

Baugewerbliche Verbaende (BGV), the German Contractors Association, met with their potential Ethiopian counterpart, the Construction Contractors Association of Ethiopia (CCAE), to create a twinning arrangement. The arrangement is expected to transfer German experiences, standards and knowledge to the Ethiopian construction sector and finally create commercial success and improvement of quality in the sector.

While having a cup of coffee, at the Center of Excellence for Engineering (CEE), on the 17th of November 2008, the two associations brainstormed on how to work together; in order to exchange knowledge and experiences between the construction sectors of the two countries. From the Ethiopian side, Construction Contractors Association of Ethiopia (CCAE), the Civil Engineers Association, Electrical Engineers Association, Architects Association and Electrical Contractors Association took part.

“Technology transfer and capacity development are the central components of the twinning arrangement” said Ato Demissew Abate, Chairman of the CCAE adding that the two construction sectors have so far reached an agreement to work together.
     
According to the chairman, next step is every interested association will send a proposal to BGV, who sends it to a European Union (EU) Program called Pro-Invest, in February 2009. Over a million Euro two is expected from the program.

Established in 2002, CCAE now comprises of 200 members, and works to enable contractors at all levels to have a convenient working environment where growth to the highest possible level can be assisted.

BGV embraces 5,000 member companies and aims to strengthen relationships with African partners in joint ventures to ultimately arrive at a commercial success. Among others, BGV includes employees associations, technical associations and trade and marketing associations. Already having well established experiences in various African countries, they are now laying their focus on Ethiopia, and to help the construction sector improving its performance.

Mr. Heinz G. Rittman from BVG and Ato Demissew Abate from CCAE represented their respective associations.

GIZ consultants from the University Capacity Building Program (UCBP) are supporting this process.