The newly elected Board of Directors of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) took over power officially from the ex-board at a ceremony held on October 27, 2009 at the Hilton Hotel.
The ceremony was organized to bid farewell to the ex-board that completed its tenure as of September 24, 2009. The 2nd General Assembly was held and elected new board which would lead ECCSA for the coming two years.
H.E Ato Girma Biru, Minister of Trade and Industry and guest of honor handed over gold made chest pin bearing the logo of ECCSA to members of the out-going board.
The Minster thanked the out going board members for the effortS made to promote the image of the country abroad, to convince the government to return the building to ECCSA as well as for their role in successfully conducting the 2nd General Assembly and electing leaders of ECCSA fairly and peacefully. He also reiterated the commitment of the government to support the new board in its effort to transform ECCSA to the desired level where it can fulfill the wishes and whims of its members and the private sector in general.
After taking over the presidency, Ato Eyessuswork Zafu said his team would do its level best to take ECCSA further step. He also indicated that ECCSA is in a better and transformed position when it is compared to its weak and empty coffer scenario when the out going board took the power two and half years ago.
After handing over the presidency Ato Getachew Ayenew expressed his happiness on peaceful transfer of power to the new board. Ato Getachew also mentioned issues that he believed the new board needs to focus on while trying to transform ECCSA to the level where it can provide need based services to its member chambers.
In a similar development, the newly elected board members held a brief meeting with the out going board and staff of ECCSA on October 27, 2009 at the chamber’s hall. Ato Eyessuswork Zafu explained about activities that would be undertaken by the chamber as well as ethical and performance standards expected from the staff.