Xinhua
23-JUL-98
ADDIS ABABA, July 23 (xinhua) -- Ethiopia has opened three new border customs posts for processing the transformation of goods coming through Hargesa and Berbera seaports of neighboring Somalia#,the Ethiopian Herald reported Thursday.
The three new posts known as Togochale, Teferi Ber and Deblo Woyen, bring to five the number of border customs posts in the area of the Ethio-Somalia border.
The other two are Aisha Dewelle and Galafi. The report said, the newly-opened posts, apart from streamlining illicit trading activities, will also help consolidate socio-economic activities along the border areas.
After the outbreak of Ethio-Eritrean border dispute last May, Ethiopia has diverted from assab port of Eritrea to port of Djibouti as its outlet.
Assab port used to transport Ethiopia's 70 percent of import and export goods. In addition, the Ethiopian government has also expressed its desire to seek seaports of neighboring Somalia and Kenya as its outlets.