August
13, 2017 - Ethiopia''s textile and Garment sector export revenue during the
Ethiopian Fiscal Year 2016/17 that ended on July 8 only achieved a third of
planned revenue. Ethiopia earned 89.3 million US dollars out of a planned 271
million US dollars during the previous Ethiopian fiscal Year. Despite this
performance, Ethiopia has plans to become the top textile manufacturing
country in Africa.
According to Assefa Tesfaye, Corporate Communications Director at Ethiopia
Ministry of Industry (MoI) , insufficient supply of manufacturing inputs, delay
in commissioning of several industries contributed to the underachievement of
Ethiopia’s textile sector. Ethiopia is building or has commissioned more than a
dozen industrial parks across the country with a view to become a light
manufacturing hub in Africa by 2025 especially in textile and garments.
It in particular Ethiopia had its ambitions set on the Hawassa Industrial Park,
located in southern part of Ethiopia, to revolutionize its budding textile and
garment sector.However, the Ethiopian ministry of Industry said a lag in
commissioning of some textile and garment plants in the Hawassa Industrial Park
contributed to the disappointing export result of Ethiopia’s textile and
Garment sector.
Built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, Hawassa Industrial
park was inaugurated in July 2016; with already 18 companies having started
operations inside the industrial park. Six of them are currently exporting
their textile and garment products to the global market, generating export
income to Ethiopia.Once operational at its full potential, the park is expected
to generate 1 billion US dollars for Ethiopia mainly from textile and garment
products.
Source: Allafrica.com Monday, 14 August 2017