Selected Speeches Of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I

STATE OF THE NATION'S ECONOMY

.... In 1966, the Ethiopian nation is sound. Her people are strong and united. Her present life is encouraging, and her future is bright and full of promise.

The country's economy is viable and flourishing. Revenues from both internal and external sources have increased steadily over the years. The Government's annual budgets have progressively reflected the additional funds available for financing the needs of the nation. Foreign trade has continued to expand. Domestic commercial activity has kept pace with the accelerating tempo of the life of the nation. Foreign exchange reserves have been maintained at comfortable levels. The Ethiopian dollar remains a firm and solidly backed currency.

Domestic and foreign investment has grown, as attractive opportunities have become more apparent and as the economy's ability to support a sustained rate of expansion has been proven. Internal and external debt has been held to reasonable levels, and the greater part of the proceeds of contracted loans has been channelled into programmes of infrastructure serving the entire nation: roads, power production and transportation and telecommunications facilities and services, among others. These accomplishments are the product of a united nation, the achievement of the diligence and industry of a people whose unity admits of no tribal differences....

November 2, 1966.

Electronic edition created and published online by members of the
Emperor Haile Sellassie First Theocracy Reign
Order of the Nyahbinghi

June 14, 2017