APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The United States government on Thursday signed a $ 229.3 million agreement with Ethiopia, aimed at expanding cooperation on development programs in education, health, and economic growth, including agriculture and trade.

The amount, due to be channelled through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), results from close consultation between the governments of Ethiopia and the United States on priorities for the improvement and expansion of health and education services, the advancement of rural development and opportunities to generate income and create private enterprises.

The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa between USAID and the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

According to the agreement, $23 million will be provided to improve the quality of primary education, with emphasis on increasing girls’ access to education and teacher training.

An additional $157 million will support life-saving maternal, child and reproductive healthcare, as well as combat HIV/AIDS, control malaria, and improve water and sanitation.

In the economic growth sector, $49.3 million will support agricultural productivity and marketing, expansion of trade and private enterprises, protection of natural resources and adaptation to climate change.

USAID Ethiopia is supporting over 100 projects throughout the country.

In addition to these bilateral agreements, the US government also is providing Ethiopia an additional $582.4 million for food assistance, the Productive Safety Net Program, and special initiatives to promote public health, education, food security, conflict resolution and governance, bringing USAID funding to Ethiopia to $812 million in 2010.

It was reported that the total US government assistance to Ethiopia in 2010 has increased to $983 million.