Comments on: I'm cheated out of my investment in Ethiopia – Victor Ozeri

By: Selase

Selase — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:21:42 +0000

This story is unfortunate for the country.
It sounds unprofessional and fishy. It’s like a backbiting tale tale between people.
Here are simple rules:
1. don’t mix business and relations. You should try to do business the straight way and not rely on friendship. In this case you seek favours yourself. Why did you try to bond with Lily Betru and Dr. Getachew the person who are in the close circle of the wife of the prime-minister. First of all how do you know it true, secondly it indicates you tried to benefit out of this situation yourself.
2. don’t mix business and NGO activity directly. It sounds that your NGO action is a cover. If/when you invest it creates jobs and empower people so investing is a charity on itself so you didn’t need to mix-up together.
3. As an American, you should know the government is not the president’s wife so you should have kept your distance from mingling all that.
However, it’s a pity what happened to you.
For the conclusion it would be fruitful if you could provide your recommendations on what to do/not to do for a successful investment in Ethiopia

By: Melat

Melat — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:19:35 +0000

So sad to hear this if this is a true story. What is with Meles and his gangsters? Shame on you Meles Zenawi, Lily Betru and Dr. Getachew (r u really a Dr.? I highly doubt it) and family especially the young son, Michael Asfaw. What's wrong with you young man? For somebody who is willing to invest to help the poor, what you did was a disgrace. Shame on you! Mr. Victor Ozeri you need to let us know the final version of the story. Thanks to Meles Ethiopia is going backward instead of forward. I pray everyday for a change in Ethiopia.

By: gennet yohannes

gennet yohannes — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:24:13 +0000

To respond the anonymous
I was so curious to see what happened to the case of Victor Ozeri and the Ethiopian investment. God behold I saw this anonymous writer denying that the issue exist. In one paragraph, he insinuated somebody else impersonated Ozeri. Wow, this is amazing, just a couple of days ago I met a person whom he came to
Offer his condolence to my beloved family departed from this world. In surprising and believable way, he gave us all the scenario almost denying that nobody was forced and deported to Eritrea. Rewriting history to his own way, he was comfortable in is own lies. We all jumped and responded to his surprise wound is fresh. Now again this anonymous writer is trying to rewrite history to make believe scenario that nothing happened. Unless we all need to challenge if Mr. Ozeri was paid back his investment and signed not to discuss the issue any more, looks that way to me! Actually if that happened, still the issue legally exculpatory clause, the Ethiopian cohorts agree to return said item in the same condition, to indemnify and hold Ozeri free and harmless from all injuries to damage property, loss of time, occasioned by negligence of the contract.
Therefore, does it mean nothing happened the issue never exists? No sorry, we call this writing as damage control.
Mr. Ozeri you owe us all explanation or what happened to your case…
Second to anonymous

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:24:28 +0000

This story sounds possible but there are a few questions that make it impossible to believe. For a guy who is well connected and with years of investment experience, to believe that he limited himself to only one police station in the face of such a blagarant crime is hard to believe. If he indeed has nothing to fear and if he is the legal owner of the business, then why is he not hiring a lawyer to fight it? Local or international lawyers would do just fine as long as he has his legal documents. If he knows the Trade Minister like he says he does, why doesn't he give him a phone call and explain his situation??? For a millionare like him, which you would expect to be very well connected, why would he even go to a regular police when he can call one of his connections in high places? A man of his position would certainly have many firends in power, specially if he has been working with the so called "lily". In the first place, it sounds pretty shady that he entered Ethiopia to bering about good change but ended up looking for a partner who has "good connection with the PM and that was good enough reason for me"! What kind of an invester gets into partnership with a woman whom he has no knowledge of and does not do any skill assessment? A millionare like him, would certainly approach one of the many floursihing business men and women in the country, who already have a repectable company in the country. What about contacting the investment authority which has shown dramatic improvement since its early days, or the anti-corruption commission? There are so many unexplored avenues that this article can be taken very well for a tabloid. Even if we were to assume that he is in the US and scared for his life, what is stoping him from contacting the Ethiopian Embassy in DC and trying to reach the authorities through that? And last but not least, if he is a legal American Investor, do you really think the US Embassy would just let him be locked out of his own company and factory that he is legally entitled to? On a more legal note, no investor would start buying machinery before a legal liscense is issued, no one can import before an import lisence is issued, or even better before the factory building itself is built! You have to start by buying the plot of land first, which would take quite some time in itself! Before you can get an import liscence, you need to show proof of your business license, and open a Letter of Credit (LC) from the bank to be able to buy in foreign currency. But in his early paragraphs, he started importing the equipment before his partnership with Lily was solidified. Any legal partnership requires both parties to demonostrate a capital deposite. Any deposted money (by Lily) can't be "stolen", since deposits for business capitals are legally prevented against withdrawal (time deposite) until a cetain time. You don't keep 9mil in a wallet, it would have to stay in a bank. If she does not have the money, she no longer has the business liscence. The writer makes it sounds like a child game. If you are going to write a fiction, please just check the facts first! You are wasting everybody's time in trying to attract people towards your political game. There are proper channels for the Mr. Victor to air his complaints and putting posting them on websites inaccessible to the Ethiopian reader (many of these sites are blocked in Etiho) is certainly not one of them. Get a life, stop insulting our intelligence! S. P.s. I firmly believe the write is not Victor Ozeri. If he is, I dare him to post his contact numbers and e-mail. I will personally call him to confirm his identity and if he happens to be a true victim, I will find a way to help him and get his justice.

By: D

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:06:18 +0000

Wow….I don't judge until i hear both sides of a story. But Mr Ozeri side is very compelling and believable. Their are so many of us that want to help Africa and are discouraged after hearing about such stories. I have been working on a business plan to start a high performance academic k-12 school for Ethiopia. Half my Ethiopian friends say i will never find investors because Ethiopia is starting to get a bad reputation for foreigners willing/trying to invest in the infrastructure. Who do you trust? So sad….i hope Mr Ozeri doesn't give up. Just figure out a work around. Africa needs people like him as long as he isn't exploiting children he should be allowed some type of legal recourse. I wish him luck and please don't give up on Africa.

By: TAMIKA ABERCROMBIE LAMBERT

TAMIKA ABERCROMBIE LAMBERT — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:28:29 +0000

I could not believe my eyes as I read this story…I am a former employee of Mr.Ozeri(in NYC) and could not believe the accusations against him and the horrible treatment of him in Ethopia…Having known and worked closely with Mr.Ozeri I know for a fact that this must be a very terrible situation for him as he loved helping others and took great pride in the programs he supported and great ideas he had to help others…he has been a godsend to many many people in the USA and abroad..including myself…My heart goes out to him as I can only imagine how he feels…and again knowing firsthand what his giving meant to him…I am truly sorry..and hope's that he gets the justice he so rightfully deserves…

By: selam

selam — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:46:41 +0000

Horrifying story! The government is claiming that it is improving the business climate of the nation. I think such stories shows that a lot needs to be done. I am sorry to hear such stories, espeically from potential investor in our nation. I am sure your company would have made been one part of a change angent in the current economy of the country. I hope there is a law in the country. I hope the US embassy assists you in defending your case and getting at least your money back. I am sorry that you got to go all this trouble. I don't think our nation would go a step forward with ministrial connections, and getting closer to PM. may be things go faster but not robbing. Good LUck, keep us informed!

By: s paris

s paris — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:28:01 +0000

I have known Victor Ozeri for many years. He is a successful businessman who is very concerned about humanity. This has always been part of his motivation. He has used his influence and personal achievements to benefit the under priveledged and needy, in many situations.

Before even considering a business in Ethiopia, Mr. Ozeri was involved and made a personal commitment to helping the citizens of Ethiopia who were living in poverty.

From the time that Mr. Ozeri first started discussing the development of a manufacturing plant in Ethiopia, his thoughts were always of how many jobs that he could create and how many families that he could help. It had always impressed me how his conversation was of this benefit and not of profit.

I know that Mr. Ozeri will recover from his financial loss, unfortunatly I beleive that his dream of impacting the economics of Ethiopia and the quality of life for its citizens may not be fulfilled.

By: Asrat Araya

Asrat Araya — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:22:03 +0000

Please, please and please, the ethiopian government people, you are already millioners and billioners, you are stealing so much money that comes as aid for Ethiopia, at least it is very shameful that you are now bribing the generous person who is enthusiastic to help homeless children. He is not taking money just helping the ethiopian people for God's sake. I am really disappointed by the fact that everyone who knows Meles and his wife and so and so….is a dictator and can do anything to anyone. You are so dumb, empty minded people that have nothing of human nature.

By: Berhe

Berhe — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:29:10 +0000

I think Victor Ozeri's story is true !!!
There are full of cheaters in the country !!!
There are full of corruption in Ethiopia !!!
Don't invest in Ethiopia during Meles regime !!!
Becareful investing in Ethiopia !!!
God Bless you Mr. Victor Ozeri !!!
Thank you for performing outstanding job in Ethiopia !!!
Ethiopians are with you and respecting you for what you did for street children !!!

By: gennet yohannes

gennet yohannes — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:07:06 +0000

Ewnetu
When Mr. Ozeri started his investment in January 2008, you were one of those whom you praised your government and the business coming to Ethiopia. For every fart, hiccough your country self-destroying should not be blamed by we, the Eritreans. The Eritreans packed like sardine, and dumped at the boarder, by your own government. Are you implying that the eritrean government was responsible? I am not sure to what you are blaming Eritrea; we were victimized just like Ozeri… Mr. Ozeri was well aware where he signed at the dotted line. All this was arranged by the Ethiopian government, the state department, World Bank all orchestrated to help Ethiopia not Eritrea. I wish he invested in Eritrea this entire headache could have been avoided.
For once in your lifetime, take responsibility, by living in denial and false ego you would not reach anywhere at all just at the dead end life style. Admit where the problem coming from, just a person like you that hide the truth. The issue is not your embarrassments but all those Ethiopian who will lose income from generated business. Not your ego, but the orphans that are depending from this kind man help for survival.
Again we should not even give you a time and space for your stupidity but we all should work as African and help this man to get his investment back.
Do you have the courage to swim naked even when others are wearing their suits? I am not referring to being physically naked, spiritually naked- to be who you are, admit your government betrayed Ozeri. You need to act and help him to continue his kind work rather than social accommodation…
Again Mr. Ozeri do not give up on your good well, who and what you are is enough for all unfortunate Ethiopian…
Gennet

By: Ewnetu

Ewnetu — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:30:20 +0000

<>
when you said you wanted to invest in ethiopia and in the meantime you wanted to help in improving the life of individuals in this impoverrished nation, you should know at least to work with ETHIOPIANS not WITH ERITREANS who kept on steeling our resource throught their lifes, memebers the current regime in ethiopia they all are parasite ERITRIANS coverd with fals ethiopian glory.
your solution ask ethiopians to chase this HORE and deal with her

By: Berhe

Berhe — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:57:06 +0000

Watch out when you are investing in Ethiopia. It is very hard becuase there is NO rule of law in our country.
The country is full of mafios and Meles gangsters.

By: wENDATA

wENDATA — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:27:37 +0000

As an Ethiopian i am sorry,but do not forget that we ethiopians have been stolen our port and great land been given by meles to Sudan even with out the knowlege of the so called ethiopian Parlament.He is not an ethiopian he is the leader of the most ethnocentric,narrow minded,mafia and terorist organization called T:P:L:F they are stilling from the rest of Ethiopia and it dosenot surrprised me for what has happend to you.If you want to do that kind of job with out poblem go to Tigray.Thats the only place in Ethiopia you are safe and get what ever kinds of official support you will get .But remember thats where evrey stollen things from the rest of ethiopia gose and i am sure you knew that if you were in ethiopia.(my family are suffering to keep our home from the bank of ethiopia.we have never take money but some body used our home as a garranty with out the knowleg of us but the governement is forcing them because there is no justice n Ethiopia)You can go to your country but we will contiue to suffer until these murrderer been overthrow.

By: truth

truth — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:27:15 +0000

If the story is true, I am sorry. However, Meles is very careful not to mess with foreigners because he can loot money that comes for the poor people and also for diplomatic reason. If Victor knows Girma Birru, why did he not attempt to tell him all the story and set up appointment with Meles to tell him the story? Why did he not search for immunity from American Embassy until proven guilty?

By: gennet

gennet — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:02:42 +0000

Mr. Victor Ozeri

I just read an article to what happened to you in Ethiopia.

I am writing this letter from experience of the Ethiopian government crime of the century. To what happened to us, Eritreans went to a deaf ear. Like you, we were robbed in day light. Our money, homes, and business taken by the same people you are complaining. Herded like a cattle in a bus and dumped at the boarder. Our crime, the Ethiopian Prime Minister Melles zenawie did not liked the color of our eyes. No body condemned to what happened to us Eritrean. The united nation even blamed us for our complaint. I am very happy for you and your family you left Ethiopia safely, you could had been killed and dumped nobody will know where your about…but your kindness and a true believer of, help people to help themselves your were saved by the almighty God.

As an Eritrean American, first generation I am ashamed of being a neighbor of Ethiopia not alone being Ethiopian. You believed in what you wanted Ethiopia to be better, thriving and all children out of the street and live in the home. Not begging but learning, not starving but eating.

“Do not judge the play before the play is done. Her plot has many changes, every day speaks.” William Shakespeare

Stand by your plan, what ever you where planning for the poor Ethiopians will pay off one day. If you believed in what you were doing, you will be asked to stand behind it fully.

Again, in the behalf of the victimized Eritreans whom the melles zenawie and cohorts dehumanized us I am so sorry and may God bless you with more power to help the poor and destitute of the world.

Gennet yohannes

By: Firew1

Firew1 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:55:55 +0000

To your surprise there are a lot of LILYS around the curent Ethiopian buisness enviornment they aproach the oficials like Girma Biru sort of entice them tell them about export market etc and then after they get the uper hand they turn devlish SHE-dictators .. Now what Isuggest The news paper" Reporter" of Addis Ababa you have historical obligation to probe these specific LILY S SCAM deeds and the other LILYS.TOO..follow it to the last and assure justice is done soon ..Also CAPITAL and "Addis Fortune"apart from giving us very flowery statistic figures of the economy you should do investigative reports of these and these type and the other too…

By: Tazebe

Tazebe — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:13:10 +0000

Mr. Ozeri seems a nice man but has some kind of a crook person. Mrs. Lili is a rober and inhuman. He is punished and Mrs. Lili has to be investigated and punished by the government. I pitty the students who lost their supporter.

Why dis Mr Ozeri chose to help only girls. Is there a nation build by females alone? Why Lili makes disgracing remarks about toilets? Is she a Ethiopian? For that matter is she a black woman? I hate her for that. I prefer to be watchfull On Mr. Ozeri as well.

There is a revelation that there is a day light roberi in Ethiopia on economic activities. Some people are becoming wealthy at the expense of many. People are getting poorer by the day and it is alarming.

By: biy

biy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:00:38 +0000

This is a crime which happens to most of foreign investers and I am really sorry for this that the government keep ignoring this stupid crimes which makes our country poorer and poorer

By: Menyemaj

Menyemaj — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:43:53 +0000

Sorry to see that you screwed up like this. The problem started when you picked her for her connection to the PM instead of her talent or potential to succeed in your venture.

The only option left for you is to go to US court and let the law take it is course.

good luck.