Addis Ababa,4 September,2015(WIC)-Agro-processing industrial parks are going to be established in four regions with an outlay of 2.5 billion USD, Ministry of Industry disclosed.
Speaking at a consultative meeting which conferred on meat industry in GTP-2, Industry State Minister Dr. Mebratu Meles cited shortage of inputs, low quality, and failure to penetrate reliable markets, and lack of value chain among the challenges the sector is facing.
The state minister also pointed out the absence of industries in areas where there are abundant agricultural products.
On the other hand, lack of raw materials in places where industries are found have resulted in low income, he added.
To change the situation, Agro-processing industrial parks will be established in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ states, Dr. Mebratu pointed out.
Currently the feasibility study of all is finalized and implementation would start, according to him.
More than 17 agro-processing plants have been identified and out of these the first to engage would be Bahker in Tigray, Bure in Amhara, Ziway in Oromia, and Sidama in SNNP, it was indicated.
Studies have proved that there is abundant livestock and fish, sesame, spices, and honey in the identified areas.
As they are also close to port, towns and infrastructure, they could be profitable to investors, according to the state minister.
Each of the industrial parks will have initially up to eight rural transformation centers that would serve as pre-processing sites.
The investment forum to be held in the January and February is expected to be the main source for the projects that require 2.5 billion USD, it was learned (ENA).