Ethiopian State Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Abraham Tekeste, disclosed that in the 2012-13 fiscal year, the country economy grew 9.7 percent, a little below the 11 percent initially expected.

He told reporters that growth had been held back lower than expected prices for the main exports. Agriculture exports, including the biggest export crop, coffee, fell to less than $3 billion from $3.15 billion the previous year.

The government however promised to increase the volume of exports and seek more destinations to boost exports.

“Ethiopia is midway through the five-year Growth and Transformation Plan which aims to expand the road network to 136,000 kms, by 2015 as well as provide significant public spending on mega-dams and other infrastructure including railways.”

The State Minister dismissed concerns about whether the government would be able to secure sufficient funding. He said all infrastructure projects had reliable sources of financing, adding that there is no revision, rather, the country will implement infrastructure projects.