Textile exports disappoint

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. The East African country earned $89.3 million (R1.2 billion) out of a planned $271m during the Fiscal Year. On Saturday, Assess Tesfaye, Corporate Communications Director at Ethiopia Ministry of Industry said insufficient supply of manufacturing inputs, delay in commissioning of several industries contributed to the under achievement. 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 had its ambitions set on the Hawassa Industrial Park, 275km south of Addis Ababa to revolutionise its budding textile and garment sector. But the ministry said a lag in commissioning of some textile and garment plants in the Hawassa Industrial Park contributed to the disappointing export result of the sector. Built by China Civil Engineering Construction, Hawassa Industrial Park was inaugurated in July 2016, with already 18 companies having started operations inside the industrial park. – Xinhua