Addis Ababa, 24th April 2014: De La Rue sponsors the Queen's Birthday Party celebrations at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa, in a year which marks the 100th anniversary since De La Rue first provided its highly secure products and services to Ethiopia.
De La Rue received their inaugural order from Ethiopia in 1914 from the Bank of Abyssinia for the issue of banknotes (trading at the time as Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd) and has remained a loyal supplier and partner to Ethiopia ever since.
Ethiopian passports were manufactured in the United Kingdom by De La Rue for many years and in partnership with Berhanena Salem in Addis Ababa. De La Rue has also produced bank cheques for the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, as well as various secure bearer documents for other companies operating in the Ethiopian financial sector.
De La Rue is honoured by the long standing relationships it has developed with some of the key establishments of this nation over the years, and considers them to be amongst some of our most important customers on the African continent.
Mr Paul Ashcroft, De La Rue EMEA Sales Director said: "De La Rue is proud to have provided such high profile products and services to Ethiopia over the last century and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for many years to come. We would like to thank all our customers in Ethiopia for their loyalty and the partnerships that we have developed during this time."
British Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr Greg Dorey commented: "The relationship which De La Rue has established with both the government and commercial sector in Ethiopia is a great example of how partnerships can develop that benefit both parties; Ethiopia benefitting from De La Rue's global expertise and guaranteed delivery of banknotes, identity solutions and high security documents and De La Rue benefits simply by working in Ethiopia, a country renowned in Africa to be at the forefront of introducing new innovations and technologies on the continent."
For further information:
Rob Hutchison
Group Director of Communications, De La Rue
Tel: +44 (0) 1256 605018
Email:rob.hutchison@uk.delarue.com
About De La Rue plc:
As the world's largest integrated commercial banknote printer, De La Rue is a trusted partner of governments, central banks, issuing authorities and commercial organisations around the world.
The Group has in recent years been involved in the design or production of over 150 national currencies. De La Rue also produces a wide range of security documents including passports, driving licences, authentication labels and tax stamps. In addition, the Group manufactures sophisticated, high speed cash sorting and inspection equipment.
De La Rue also offers a range of specialist services and software solutions including government identity schemes, product authentication systems and cash management processing solutions.
De La Rue employs approximately 4,000 people worldwide and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
