Oromia Tourism Commission (OTC) and the Cooperative Bank of Oromia
Oromia Tourism Commission (OTC) and the Cooperative Bank of Oromia S.C (COOP) vow to transform the tourism sector.
The two institutions have entered into a strategic cooperative agreement having identified a number of collaborating areas. In a discussion held among both institutions, it has been pin pointed that the financial and tourism sectors are mutually exclusive institutions for each other’s development which in turn contributes to the national growth.
During the MoU signing session, Commissioner of the Oromia Tourism Commission, Aadde Lelise Dhugaa said that the Commission’s work could be unthinkable without financial institutions involvement. Lelise mentioned that Oromia is endowed with various natural and cultural heritages including those that have been listed among UNESCO world heritages. However, said Lelise, it is regrettable that the Region has not benefited from these resources due to failure to develop them well and ensure beneficial ownership.
The Commission is now working to develop destinations and ensure community based and youth led tourism. To this end, we are working towards creating 500,000 tourism related jobs in the next five years, she said. Given the paramount significance of the banking sector in transforming the tourism and hospitality industry, it is a significant step establishing strategic partnership with Cooperative Bank of Oromia. Therefore, the Commission appreciates the Bank’s willingness to collaborate on a long term venture, Lelise said.
Both institutions also agreed on capacity building programs to ensure transformative services rendered by both sectors. To this end, technological development has been identified one of the critical areas of focus.
President of Oromia Cooperative Bank, Obbo Deribie Asfaw added that Coop Bank is willing to deploy its resources to benefit the youth through provision of equitable financial services and tourism products.
Ethiopia Autonomous Media
