In the midst of climatic concerns and turmoil, Ethiopia and its neighboring state Eritrea have been chosen as some of the fastest growing economies of 2011, says a report published in “The Economist: The World in 2011.” According to the published reports, both Ethiopia and Eritrea are expected to grow by 10 percent, and they rank behind Qatar and Ghana.

Even though the 10 percent growth is just an estimate, economists and world leaders are eagerly waiting to see whether the estimated growth rate is likely or unlikely. Given the affiliate review, politicians and economists are banking upon the reform system embarked on by the current Ethiopian government. The current government’s reform process includes privatization of state enterprises and government regulation rationalization and better implementation.

The ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front party tightened its grip in the 2010 elections and removed its fierce oppositions out of the scenario till 2015. In the five years of its rule, the ruling government has put into effect a completely new five–year economic plan that will emphasize development of infrastructure, large-scale commercial farming, industrialization, and small scale enterprises.

The Ethiopian government is also giving focus to other issues, such as worker remittances and donor/voluntary work support. Also, by continuing its support for the beleaguered government of Somalia, the Ethiopian economy has been successful in tightening its alliance with the United States. The alliance with the United States is important to establish a strong foothold in the world economy in the years to come.

Nonetheless, whether Ethiopia and Eritrea are successful in living up to the expectations of the world leaders and are able to provide better per capita livelihood to their people are things that are eagerly awaited for in 2011.