Ethiopia, Italy Agree to Work Together on Agro-Industrial Park Development, Fashion Industry

Addis Ababa, February 16, 2022 (Walta) – Ethiopia and Italy have agreed to work together in the agro-industrial park development and fashion industry.

The Minister of Industry, Melaku Alebel received the Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Agostino Palese at his office held discussions on various areas of cooperation between the two countries.

He said Ethiopia and Italy have a long history of relations and that this relationship needs to be transformed into a higher level. He said the Government of Ethiopia plans to become a manufacturing industry hub by increasing the productivity, quality, and competitiveness of the sector.

He said four integrated agro-industrial parks have been built to achieve this plan of which three have been inaugurated and gone operational. Melaku also indicated that the Ethiopian government plans to create an active economy by gradually opening up the market.

The Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia, for his part, said the two countries have deep economic integration stressing the need to translate this cooperation into a more practical collaboration.

He said Ethiopia, with a population of 115 million, has a golden opportunity to realize a structural change in the economic sphere and enhance the manufacturing industry sector.

Saying that Italy has good experience in the agro-industrial park development sector, the Ambassador reiterated the commitment of his country to share technical support and experience with Ethiopia.